USC football report card for San Jose State 2026 season opener

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USC football shouldn't be severely tested in any of its first four games, so the Trojans have four weeks to really figure things out before Oregon on September 26. As we give you the USC football report card for the San Jose State game, we're not going to be too generous, because it's only San Jose State. Top grades belong to players who were really spectacular, not merely good. If you think a grade is too harsh, let's be real: Would this standard of play be good enough to beat Oregon?

Here we go:

Jayden Maiava: B-minus

The stats look better than the actual performance. If you looked closely, a number of Maiava's throws were a foot off. He threw some high passes and some outside passes. The touchdown to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt was a perfect throw, but that only showed how imprecise some of his other throws were. It wasn't a great performance, but certainly not bad. We do need to see a lot more precision against Fresno State.

Offensive line: B-plus

We can say that the starters merited an A, but the backups produced a C-minus. If you just want to count the starters, that unit looked the part. Zach Hanson is still doing a very good job with a group which lacked Kilian O'Connor.

Running backs: A-minus

These guys are good. They're tough, they bounce off defenders, they make tacklers miss. If this unit stays healthy, USC has a chance to be special.

Receivers: B

A lot of receivers contributed, which is really important and a good first step. It's only San Jose State, though. Let's see more. If you're angry about that grade, we'll be sure to give one receiver his due.

Trent Mosley: A

Here's a straight-A performance. Trent Mosley was electric and dynamic. The receivers as a whole were good. Mosley was much more than good. He was the big story of the offense. See? We can give out As. We're just going to be selective about it after a cupcake game.

Defensive line: B-plus

This unit is much improved from last season. It's just one game, but we did not see this level of impact last year. It might be the most encouraging aspect of this game.

Luke Wafle and Jide Abasiri: A

These two Trojans were game-wreckers against San Jose State. If they continue to play like this, USC's floor rises. Again, we can give out As. We just won't hand them out like cotton candy.

Linebackers: B-minus

Starting linebackers were fine. Backup linebackers got fooled in the second half. We didn't see players out of position as much, and they didn't look physically inadequate. This is real improvement, though how much remains to be seen.

Secondary: D-plus

Uh-oh. This is the big concern with USC coming out of this game. Coverage was soft in general, and the outcome looks worse when you realize the D-line and linebackers (mostly the D-line) did their jobs. Even with that advantage, the secondary couldn't really lock down. This is where the defensive staff has work to do.

Gary Patterson: B-minus

The defense looked competent. The improvement on the defensive line was notable, cancelling out the problems in the secondary. The backups stumbled, but the starters generally did their job. We're not going to say this defense looks fixed. It's just too early. However, for a first game, this wasn't terrible.

Trumain Carroll: B

USC's strength coach is a huge point of focus this year, because USC needs to be stronger to make the College Football Playoff. Line play looked legitimately strong. Running backs looked powerful. There were real signs that Carroll's training plan has made this team tougher, but of course, it's only one game, and it's only San Jose State.

Lincoln Riley: B

Lincoln Riley came out of the gate running the ball. USC fans had to like that. Maiava's sluggishness is something for Riley to correct this week. The team looking more competent on defense and a little stronger up front represents the positive result of Riley making necessary staff changes.

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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football report card for San Jose State 2026 season opener

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