Overview
- USC improved to 7–2 overall and 5–1 in Big Ten play with a statement win built on a 24–3 second‑half advantage.
- Maiava went 24-of-33 for 299 yards with two touchdown passes and a rushing score after a down game at Nebraska.
- Makai Lemon produced a career night with 11 catches for 161 yards plus a short scoring run on a designed pitch.
- King Miller paced the ground game with 127 yards on 15 carries, including a 12‑yard touchdown before halftime.
- Lincoln Riley praised Maiava’s toughness and confirmed a planned fake punt featuring backup QB Sam Huard in No. 80, while Northwestern’s David Braun cited self‑inflicted errors and took responsibility for the lapse.