USC follows Maiava's example and hits back

Quarterback's forced fumble following pick sparks Trojans' win over Northwestern.

- BY RYAN KARTJE

ERIC THAYER Los Angeles Times USC and Keeshawn Silver (9) held Caleb Komolafe and Northwestern to three points in the second half of a 38-17 victory Friday night at the Coliseum.

His pass had just been picked off, a most unfortunate turn at a most unfortunate time for USC, when Jayden Maiava took off sprinting toward the pylon.

The past month hadn't been one to remember for the Trojans quarterback. The week before at Nebraska, Maiava completed just nine passes. Two weeks before that he struggled through a rain-soaked loss in South Bend, Ind. This interception was his sixth in five weeks — and a pass he surely preferred to have back.

But as Northwestern's Najee Story rumbled toward that same pylon with ball in hand, USC’s quarterback closed in, lowered his shoulder and catapulted his entire body toward the 288-pound defensive tackle. Ona Friday night filled with strange twists for the No. 19 Trojans, who walked away with an 38-17 win over Northwestern, none was more consequential than that moment, as Maiava’s hit jostled the ball loose and it bounced into the end zone and out of bounds.

“Shoot,” Maiava said, “I just thought I'd go out there and sacrifice my body for my brothers.”

In this case his sacrifice made all the difference. The fumble gave USC possession — and turned the tide in a game that the Trojans (7-2) absolutely couldn't afford to give away as they hang on to slim hopes of making the College Football Playoff.