News Summary
The USC Trojans secured a decisive victory against the Purdue Boilermakers, winning 33-17 in a game interrupted by severe weather delays. This win advances USC to 3-0 while Purdue falls to 2-1. Quarterback Jayden Maiava shone with 282 passing yards and a rushing touchdown, while the Trojans successfully converted all four fourth-down attempts. Coach Lincoln Riley’s adjustments paid off, marking USC’s first Big Ten victory outside of Los Angeles, while Purdue seeks to improve under new coach Barry Odom as they navigate a ten-game conference losing streak.
West Lafayette, Indiana – The USC Trojans secured a decisive victory against the Purdue Boilermakers on September 13, winning 33-17 in a matchup marked by severe weather delays. This victory advances USC’s record to 3-0, while Purdue’s record moves to 2-1.
The game faced a significant setback as it was delayed for three and a half hours due to severe weather conditions, including over 900 lightning strikes and 1.25 inches of rain. Despite the rocky start, the Trojans managed to dominate the game and capitalize on key opportunities.
USC’s quarterback, Jayden Maiava, showcased a strong performance, completing 17 out of 28 passes for a total of 282 yards and contributing one rushing touchdown. Ja’Kobi Lane emerged as a standout receiver, securing three catches for 115 yards, significantly aiding USC’s offensive efforts. The Trojans were particularly successful on fourth down, converting all four of their attempts throughout the game.
On the defensive side, USC faced a challenge towards the end of the match as Purdue attempted to rally. The Boilermakers moved into the red zone but were thwarted by a dropped pass and an interception by Ryan Browne, which solidified USC’s lead and secured the win.
This victory is particularly notable as it signifies USC’s first Big Ten victory outside of Los Angeles. The triumph also ended a 14-game losing streak for USC in the Central and Eastern time zones, with their last win in the Eastern time zone dating back to 2012. The Trojans have previously struggled when playing in these regions but appear to be turning a corner under the guidance of head coach Lincoln Riley.
Coach Riley made specific adjustments to the team’s travel and game-week preparations aiming to enhance performance on the road, which might have contributed to their successful outing against Purdue. The current roster showcases an impressive level of depth, and the victory over Purdue sets a promising tone as they face a demanding schedule ahead.
The Trojans are now eyeing a robust Big Ten season, with upcoming games against several ranked opponents, including Michigan State, Illinois, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Nebraska. Each of these contests presents a critical opportunity for the Trojans to reinforce their standing and showcase their capabilities.
On the other hand, Purdue, under first-year coach Barry Odom, exhibited glimpses of promise despite the loss. The Boilermakers are still in search of their first Big Ten victory under their new coaching staff and are currently facing a ten-game conference losing streak. As they analyze their performance, the coaching staff will likely focus on leveraging their youthful roster to enhance competitiveness moving forward.
The matchup served as an eye-opener for both teams as USC aims to build on this momentum, while Purdue seeks to regroup and capitalize on the lessons learned from the defeat. The road ahead is filled with challenges that will test both teams’ resilience and adaptability in the Big Ten conference.
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Additional Resources
- Sports Illustrated: USC Trojans Big Ten Schedule
- Indianapolis Recorder: USC at Purdue Football 2025
- Los Angeles Times: USC vs Purdue Live Updates
- CBS Sports: USC vs Purdue Live Updates
- Pasadena Star-News: USC Football Defeats Purdue
- Wikipedia: Big Ten Conference
- Google Search: USC Trojans
- Google Scholar: USC Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: USC Football
- Google News: USC Football Purdue

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