Maiava leads Trojans in rout of Helton's Eagles

USC defeats Georgia Southern and former head coach, who takes fans’ booing in stride.

- Ryan Kartje

IAN MAULE Getty Images KWAZI GILMER of UCLA catches a pass over Andrew Powdrell of host Nevada Las Vegas during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday night.

It was a subtle gesture. A nod ofrespect from USC toa football coach who spent a dozen years in the building before an unceremonious exit.

But as the public address announcer took the rare step of reading Clay Helton’s name, the frustration from his final few years at USC came pouring out in achorus of boos from all corners of the Coliseum.

Even four years after his firing, Helton could still conjure complicated feelings among the Trojan faithful. What he couldn't do Saturday is stop the Trojans from taking those feelings out on his football team ina 59-20 beatdown.

A reunion that began with courtesy quickly turned to catharsis, as the USC offense piled up yards and points at will for the second week ina row.

After tallying 597 yards in its Week 1 blowout of Missouri State, USC moved the ball even more efficiently in Week2, racking up 755 yards, the most at USC in two decades. They averaged 12 yards per play and ripped off adozen big plays of 20-plus yards.

As with the prior week, junior quarterback Jayden Maiava was content to sit back and pick apart an inferior defense. He threw four touchdowns Saturday, while his 412 passing yards shattered his career high before the fourth quarter even began.

By that point, the Trojans were once again trotting out their backups for a full quarter's worth ofreps—all of which could end up being essential experience laterin the season.

“It’s awesome getting everybody involved,” Maiava said.