USC reportedly benches quarterback Miller Moss in favor of transfer Jayden Maiava as the Trojans aim to salvage their inaugural season in the Big Ten.
This decision highlights a surprising decline for Moss and the Trojans following a promising start that included a notable upset against LSU, propelling USC into the AP poll’s top 10 and generating early Heisman Trophy discussions for Moss. However, the team’s performance in Big Ten play has been disappointing, with a record of 2-5, where all five losses were by a single score. Moss struggled to lead his team during critical moments, failing to execute game-winning drives in consecutive losses against Maryland and Washington, where he threw three interceptions.
Despite a solid season featuring a 65.9% completion rate, 3,469 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions over nine games, Moss’s journey at USC began under former head coach Clay Helton. He chose to remain with the program even after Lincoln Riley’s arrival, which brought the eventual 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams from Oklahoma.
In contrast, Maiava enters the spotlight with a commendable 63.5% completion rate, 3,085 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions during his time as UNLV’s starting quarterback in 2023. He also contributed 277 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, leading the Mountain West in yards per pass attempt at 8.7 and boasting a passer rating of 147.1.
