USC takes down Purdue: Trojans grit out first Big Ten win outside of Los Angeles behind strong defense

Despite being nearly three-touchdown underdogs at home, Purdue showed enough fight to keep the score respectable against USC, a promising sign of early progress under first-year coach Barry Odom. The Boilermakers moved the ball effectively at times and managed to find the end zone twice, but missed opportunities late in drives prevented them from really threatening the Trojans.

That said, Purdue still has work to do in the Big Ten, as the program has now dropped 10 consecutive conference games. The schedule doesn't get any easier, beginning with a nonconference clash at No. 8 Notre Dame next Saturday, followed by a stretch of challenging Big Ten matchups: No. 9 Illinois, at Minnesota, at Northwestern, Rutgers, at No. 23 Michigan, No. 1 Ohio State and at Washington before finishing the regular season at home against No. 22 Indiana on Nov. 28.

While the losses continue to pile up, the performance against USC offers glimpses of a competitive future. The Boilermakers are showing they can battle through tough matchups and perhaps start chipping away at the Big Ten cellar if they can clean up the costly mistakes.

USC made a bit of a statement in West Lafayette on Saturday, securing its first Big Ten road win outside Los Angeles in a storm-delayed matchup against Purdue. After a challenging inaugural Big Ten season that saw the Trojans drop their first four conference road games, this victory showcased Lincoln Riley's team's ability to perform away from home -- which will be critical for a 2025 contention push.

The Trojans still have a gauntlet of road tests ahead, including trips to No. 9 Illinois, No. 8 Notre Dame (non-conference), Nebraska and No. 4 Oregon, giving them ample opportunities to prove they can handle hostile environments and long travel.

Riley's adjustments -- from reworking the game-week schedule to switching planes for road trips -- clearly paid off.

USC showed that a three-and-a-half-hour weather delay in West Lafayette, which included more than 900 lightning strikes and 1.25 inches of rain, wasn't going to slow it down. The Trojans came out rather sharp and efficient, moving the ball against Purdue's defense and turning opportunities into points.

"We just got it back to West Coast time," USC coach Lincoln Riley joked with CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell at halftime. "So that was God doing that for us. We responded well. Had some really good stops obviously defensively, which really got us some momentum."

Quarterback Jayden Maiava was nearly flawless in the first half, completing 11 of 14 passes for 184 yards while adding 21 rushing yards and a touchdown on four carries. USC's receivers kept Purdue's secondary on its heels with multiple explosive plays, proving that the offensive rhythm remained intact despite the massive weather delay.

Final: USC 33, Purdue 17 

USC survived a storm-delayed showdown in West Lafayette, claiming a 33-17 win against Purdue on Saturday in front of a still-lively crowd at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Trojans wasted little time finding a rhythm despite a three-and-a-half-hour weather delay that included more than 900 lightning strikes and 1.25 inches of rain.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava led the way for what was the top scoring offense in the FBS entering Week 3, completing 17 of 28 passes for 282 yards while adding a rushing touchdown on the ground. The USC receivers were sharp, repeatedly breaking open for big gains and forcing Purdue's defense into difficult situations. Ja'Kobi Lane finished with 115 yards on just three catches.

Purdue threatened late, moving into the red zone and putting former Trojan Michael Jackson III in position for a potential touchdown, but a dropped pass and Ryan Browne's third interception of the game ultimately sealed the Boilermakers' fate. The Trojans also capitalized on all four fourth-down conversion attempts.

The win is especially notable for USC on the road. The Trojans had lost 14 consecutive games in the Central and Eastern time zones, including nine in the Eastern Time Zone, with their last win there coming at Syracuse in 2012.

USC also secures its first Big Ten victory outside Los Angeles, a critical step in building momentum for the season as the Trojans now look ahead to a tough stretch of upcoming road tests.

Late 4Q: USC 30, Purdue 17

Purdue drove deep into USC territory again, reaching the red zone with a chance to cut the lead. Former Trojan Michael Jackson III, who joined the Boilermakers in April, had a catchable ball in the front corner of the end zone but couldn't reel it in. On the very next play, Ryan Browne threw his third interception of the game, picked off by Bishop Fitzgerald, potentially ending Purdue's comeback hopes with time running out.

Mid 4Q: USC 30, Purdue 17

USC is making the most of almost every opportunity, converting yet another fourth down to extend a crucial drive. On fourth-and-3 from the Purdue 33, quarterback Jayden Maiava found receiver Makai Lemon for a 7-yard gain, moving the chains and keeping the Trojans' offense on the field -- and the clock running.

Purdue's defense is hurting its own chances, giving up conversions on all four fourth-down plays to USC in the game so far. However, the Boilermakers got a small reprieve as Ryon Sayeri's 37-yard field goal attempt hit off the left upright.

Early 4Q: USC 30, Purdue 17

The Boilermakers needed just two plays to reach the end zone, as Ryan Browne connected with Nitro Tuggle for a 9-yard touchdown. Since the start of the second half, Browne is 11-for-15 for 161 yards and a touchdown, despite the earlier pick-six.

END 3Q: USC 30, Purdue 10

Can the Trojans hold on to a fourth-quarter lead on the road? USC blew four fourth-quarter leads in all of their Big Ten road losses in 2024. Purdue made a strong push on the final play of the third quarter, as Ryan Browne connected with Michael Jackson III for a 31-yard gain down the sideline to the USC 9, setting up a first-and-goal heading into the fourth.

Late 3Q: USC 30, Purdue 10

USC converted another fourth down to keep an important drive alive following Purdue's touchdown. Quarterback Jayden Maiava had back-to-back passes that were nearly intercepted, and the Trojans ultimately settled for a 48-yard field goal. Since the start of the third quarter, Maiava is 4-for-10 passing.

The Boilermakers struck quickly as Ryan Browne hit a wide-open Nitro Tuggle on a post route through the USC defense for a 33-yard catch-and-run, moving Purdue near the red zone. But two plays later, Browne's pass up the middle was tipped by Devan Thompkins and intercepted by Jamaal Jarrett, who returned it 70 yards for a touchdown.

It's the first interception returned for a touchdown by a USC defensive tackle since Ennis Davis in 1999.

Early 3Q: USC 20, Purdue 10

After taking the opening kickoff of the second half, USC marched into the red zone but was held to a 37-yard field goal by Purdue's defense. On the ensuing possession, Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne completed his first four passes of the half to move the Boilermakers across midfield.

Then came one of the wildest touchdowns perhaps all season. After two backward passes -- the second nearly intercepted by USC linebacker Eric Gentry -- the bouncing ball was scooped up by Browne, who ran 26 yards into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Half: USC 17, Purdue 3

The difference in the first half was capitalization. USC scored on all three red-zone trips and converted a pair of fourth downs, while Purdue's early interception in the end zone cost the Boilermakers a chance to take the lead in the first quarter. Still, the Trojans' 17 points marked their lowest first-half total of the season as Purdue worked to limit possessions.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava made the most of his matchup with former coach Barry Odom, completing 11 of 14 passes for 184 yards and adding 21 yards and a touchdown on four carries. Ja'Kobi Lane hauled in two catches for 73 yards, including a 59-yard gain in the first quarter.

Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne went 8 of 14 for 96 yards but was sacked four times in the opening half.

Late 2Q: USC 17, Purdue 3

Purdue put together another strong drive and this time got points on the board, settling for a 39-yard field goal. After those big gains on the second possession that ended in an interception, quarterback Ryan Browne struggled to find a groove with his receivers, who did him few favors with dropped passes. And outside of one explosive gain of 17 yards in the first quarter, running back Devin Mockobee has been held in check with just 34 yards on six carries by the USC defense.

The Trojans' receivers continue to carve up the Purdue secondary with five catches of at least 20 yards. But no runs of 10 or more yards have kept the USC unbalanced. The Boilermakers had a chance to get their defense off the field before the Trojans converted a fourth-and-4 with a 12-yard gain on a crossing route by Lake McRee.

USC converted another fourth down later in the drive to set up a 6-yard touchdown run by running back Waymond Jordan.

Early 2Q: USC 10, Purdue 0

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava added his second rushing touchdown of the season on a 3-yard run, extending the lead to two possessions. On just two drives, the Trojans racked up 174 yards and seven first downs on only 17 plays.

End 1Q: USC 3, Purdue 0

The Boilermakers threatened to punch back after quarterback Ryan Browne connected on three explosive gains through the air, driving Purdue to a third-and-goal opportunity. But the momentum swung when USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald stepped in front of a pass in the middle of the end zone, ending the drive and giving the Trojans the ball back.

Jayden Maiava was a perfect 5-for-5 with 121 yards before an incompletion. USC was pushing to score at the end of the first quarter after Maiava hit tight end Lake McRee for a 26-yard gain to put the Trojans inside the five.

Early 1Q: USC 3, Purdue 0

After a weather delay of more than three and a half hours, USC wasted no time finding its rhythm. On the Trojans' first possession, quarterback Jayden Maiava connected with Ja'Kobi Lane for a 59-yard catch-and-run on just the third snap, quickly flipping the field after an opening defensive stop. USC was held to a 24-yard field goal in the red zone.

Officials have announced that gates at Ross-Ade Stadium will open at 6:15 p.m. ET, with kickoff between USC and Purdue now scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET.

Storms continue to roll through West Lafayette, extending the delay for kickoff between USC and Purdue. Multiple lightning strikes were reported by CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell on the broadcast, further pushing back any potential start time. Some fans in attendance have been ushered to nearby Mackey Arena in the meantime.

CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell reported the weather delay in West Lafayette will continue after another lightning strike near the stadium. The earliest players from Purdue and USC could take the field is 4:05 p.m. ET with a potential 4:15 p.m. ET kickoff. A 30-minute delay is added if lightning is detected within 10 miles of the stadium. Teams are entitled to a 20-minutes warmup period.

In the transfer portal era, roster overhauls have become commonplace. But the sheer volume of Purdue's transformation is staggering. Mostly out of necessity, the Boilermakers executed one of the most ambitious roster rebuilds in college football history ahead of the 2025 season, bringing in 82 new players. Fifty-two of them arrived via transfer -- the most of any Power Four program this year.

From the moment first-year coach Barry Odom and first-time general manager Brandon Lee arrived in West Lafayette, they faced the logistical challenge of managing an endless cycle of visits and recruiting pitches. Travel schedules had to be balanced against competing offers in a chaotic portal market, all while trying to restock an entire roster.

After bringing in 82 new players this offseason, new-look Purdue roster faces first real test against USC

John Talty

Due to inclement weather in West Lafayette, the game will not start at the originally scheduled 3:40 p.m. ET kickoff. Officials are monitoring conditions and will provide updates as soon as a revised start time is confirmed.

Purdue pulling off the outright upset would be one of the biggest surprises of Week 3, but the rebuilt Boilermakers could have enough to keep this Big Ten opener to a respectable margin. Their path is clear: shorten the game and limit USC's possessions. Purdue ranks 23rd nationally in called run play percentage (57.0%), while USC's defense has struggled against the run, sitting tied for 80th in success rate (60.8%). If Purdue controls the tempo on the ground, it can hang around longer than expected. Pick: Purdue +20.5

USC has feasted on overmatched opponents, leading the FBS in explosive play rate (25.8%) and offensive touchdowns (17) through Week 2. Wide receiver Makai Lemon is in the midst of a breakout campaign, ranking third nationally with 248 receiving yards to go along with 11 catches and two touchdowns. Whether Purdue's rebuilt defense can slow the Trojans' rhythm will be the question Saturday.

No Power Four team added more transfers in the latest portal cycle than Purdue. First-year coach Barry Odom brought in 54 newcomers to upgrade the starting lineup and bolster depth across the roster. The early impact has been most evident on defense, where the team's top seven tacklers through two games are all transfers. Linebackers Mani Powell and Charles Correa have combined for 18 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks.

USC didn't get a warm welcome in its introductory season last year, dropping its first four conference road games before finally winning at UCLA in a crosstown matchup. The Trojans are aiming to avoid a repeat, and coach Lincoln Riley said Tuesday the team has reworked its game-week schedule and even switched the type of airplane used for road trips.

USC looks to pick up its first Big Ten conference win outside Los Angeles when it travels to West Lafayette to face Purdue on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium.

The Trojans (2-0) have cruised through nonconference play, outscoring opponents 132-33 and piling up 755 total yards in last week's 59-20 win over Georgia Southern. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has been sharp through two games, completing 73.8% of his passes for 707 yards and six touchdowns. The offense has been balanced, with 12 different players reaching the end zone.

The Boilermakers (2-0) are off to their best start since 2021 under first-year coach Barry Odom, tasked with revitalizing a program that has just three Big Ten victories over the past two seasons. Running back Devin Mockobee, the lone returning starter from last year's backfield, already has three rushing touchdowns in 2025.

This will be the first meeting between the programs in 27 years. The last came in the 1998 season opener, when USC beat a Purdue team led by future NFL quarterback Drew Brees. With both teams largely untested against top competition, Saturday's Big Ten opener serves as an early-season measuring stick and USC's first road test.

USC vs. Purdue prediction, pick, odds, spread: Trojans seek Big Ten road win as Boilermakers eye breakthrough

Cody Nagel