USC Silences Happy Valley With Big Road Victory Over Penn State

Riley earns a signature road victory

Lincoln Riley called it one of his favorite wins as a head coach. No. 19 USC walked into Beaver Stadium for the annual White Out game and earned a 31-23 victory over Penn State.

The Trojans had struggled on the road in recent years. USC entered the matchup at 4-6 in Big Ten road play under Riley and 2-6 overall against ranked conference opponents. The program also faced heavy outside chatter after a Week 4 home loss to Oregon, which dropped Riley to 0-3 against the Ducks during his time at USC. Just one week after fans booed and chanted for his firing against Washington, visiting fans chanted Riley's name in Happy Valley. Riley joked that he does not listen to chants, adding that fans might say something different back in Los Angeles now.

Control on both sides of the ball

USC outgained Penn State and moved the ball well all evening. Jayden Maiava completed 21 of 33 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns. Trent Mosley, Tanook Hines, and Kayden Dixon Wyatt all caught touchdown passes to help build the lead.

Gary Patterson and the USC defense also stepped up. The unit had allowed over 100 rushing yards in all but one game this season. On Saturday night, they held Penn State to only 68 yards on the ground.

A bye week before the final stretch

USC now moves to 6-1 on the season. The team heads into a bye week after playing seven straight weeks dating back to Week 0.

The schedule remains demanding the rest of the way. USC still has road trips to Wisconsin and Indiana, a home game with Ohio State, and a late meeting with 5-0 UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Riley said after the game that this win gives the team a spark, noting that his group is only scratching the surface of what it can accomplish.

What it means for the next game

Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Wolverines (College Football, Sat, 17 Oct): Michigan Wolverines win 66%, Penn State Nittany Lions win 34%; projected score Michigan Wolverines 25, Penn State Nittany Lions 19. Our safest pick: Michigan to win.