LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — In a commanding display of offensive firepower and defensive pressure, the Southern California Trojans defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 38 to 17 on Friday night before a crowd of 67,179 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Trojans, improving their record to 7-2, methodically pulled away from the Wildcats after a competitive first half, using a balanced attack and a stifling defense to secure the victory. Northwestern fell to 5-4 with the loss.

Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava, a Las Vegas native, orchestrated the Trojan offense with precision, completing 24 of 33 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown, showcasing his dual-threat capability. His primary target was receiver Makai Lemon of Los Alamitos, California, who had a career night with 11 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown. Lemon also added a 4-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

The game began as a back-and-forth affair. Southern California opened the scoring on their first possession, capping a 15-play, 75-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Maiava to Lemon. Northwestern answered emphatically, marching 75 yards themselves. The drive was finished by a 4-yard touchdown pass from Wildcats quarterback Preston Stone to Griffin Wilde, tying the game at 7.

The second quarter saw the Trojans begin to seize control. Maiava capped another long drive with a 6-yard touchdown run, giving Southern California a 14-7 lead. The Wildcats responded immediately, with running back Caleb Komolafe breaking off a 37-yard run to set up his own 2-yard touchdown plunge, knotting the score at 14.

Komolafe was a bright spot for Northwestern, rushing for 118 yards on 17 carries and catching five passes for 40 yards. Stone, the Dallas native, finished 20 of 30 for 150 yards and a touchdown, but was consistently under pressure from the Trojan defense.

Just before halftime, Southern California reclaimed the lead. A 55-yard run by running back K. Miller set up a 12-yard touchdown run by Miller with 1:24 remaining, sending the Trojans into the break with a 21-14 advantage.

The third quarter saw the defenses tighten. Northwestern managed only a 33-yard field goal from J. Olsen, while the Trojans extended their lead with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Maiava to receiver Ja’Kobi Lane of Mesa, Arizona, making the score 28-17.

Southern California put the game away in the fourth quarter. Lemon took an end-around 4 yards for a touchdown, and kicker Ryon Sayeri of West Hills, California, added a 22-yard field goal to produce the final margin of 38-17.

The Trojan defense was relentless, sacking Stone three times and hurrying him on numerous other occasions. Linebacker Eric Gentry of Philadelphia recorded a quarterback hurry, while defensive linemen Jide Abasiri of Prior Lake, Minnesota, and Jahkeem Stewart of Reserve, Louisiana, each recorded a sack. Linebacker Mac Uihlein of Lake Forest, Illinois, led all defenders with 11 tackles in a losing effort for the Wildcats.

The victory keeps Southern California in the thick of the conference race as they prepare to host Iowa next Saturday. Northwestern, after a promising start to the season that included an upset of Penn State, will look to rebound at home against Michigan. The game’s total points of 55 fell under the betting over/under line of 52.5, and the Wildcats covered the pregame spread of +14.5. The final score was close to the projection of Interstat’s game simulator, which had predicted a 40-16 Trojan victory.