LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — Southern California used a balanced passing attack, a timely special-teams score and a late rushing touchdown to pull away from Louisiana for a 49-30 victory Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans improved to 3-0, while the Ragin’ Cajuns fell to 1-1 in front of 60,019.

Jayden Maiava guided Southern California at quarterback, completing 11 of 16 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback from Las Vegas, Nevada, was the top performer for the Trojans, who scored in every quarter and answered Louisiana’s early momentum. Mark Bowman was Maiava’s most reliable target, catching five passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Bowman’s second score came on a 9-yard pass in the second quarter, though he was injured on the play.

Louisiana opened the scoring when Tony Sterner made a 47-yard field goal in the first quarter. Southern California responded when Maiava found Bowman for a 5-yard touchdown. The Trojans added to their lead early in the second quarter when Maiava and Bowman connected again, this time from 9 yards, for a score that put Southern California in front. The Ragin’ Cajuns stayed within reach when Steven Blanco rushed 1 yard for a touchdown. The play was reviewed for whether the runner broke the plane, and the call was upheld.

Southern California then created separation with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and an 86-yard punt return for a touchdown by Trent Mosley. Mosley’s return came after Mason Golding punted 41 yards to the Southern California 14. The Trojans carried a comfortable lead into the second half. Dixon-Wyatt finished with two receptions for 24 yards. Mosley also had a receiving touchdown later in the game.

The decisive stretch came late in the second quarter and early in the third. After Blanco’s touchdown pulled Louisiana to 14-10, Southern California scored on Dixon-Wyatt’s 19-yard reception and Mosley’s 86-yard punt return. The Trojans then opened the third quarter with Mosley’s 21-yard touchdown catch. That burst turned a four-point game into a 35-10 advantage. Louisiana answered later in the third when Lunch Winfield rushed 1 yard for a score.

Winfield finished 4 of 4 passing for 60 yards, rushed for two touchdowns and threw a late touchdown pass. The Ragin’ Cajuns’ defense was led by Collin Jacob, who recorded 10 tackles. Jake St. Andre added six tackles, Conor McPherson had four, and Maurion Eleam and Brent Gordon Jr. each made three. Avery Demery recorded an interception.

Southern California pulled away in the fourth. Maiava threw a 44-yard touchdown to Zacharyus Williams. Louisiana’s Winfield answered with a 32-yard touchdown run. King Miller then rushed 12 yards for a Southern California touchdown. The Ragin’ Cajuns closed the scoring when Winfield found Russell Babineaux for a 14-yard touchdown. Tony Sterner made the extra point. Winfield’s efficiency and mobility helped Louisiana stay competitive, but the Trojans’ depth and big plays proved too much.

Southern California’s defense spread the production. Desman Stephens II had three tackles. Deven Bryant, Luke Wafle and Jide Abasiri each made two stops, while Alex VanSumeren, Kennedy Urlacher, Prophet Brown and Christian Pierce each recorded one. Ethan Feaster returned two kickoffs for 36 yards. Caden Chittenden handled kicking duties. For Louisiana, Maurion Eleam had three tackles, while Fitzgerald West Jr., Kerry Wilson, Priest Ashe, Ethan Veal, Lake Bates and Maxie Baudoin IV each made one. Tony Sterner’s special-teams work included the early field goal.

Louisiana’s running game also got contributions from JJ Garner, who rushed twice for 22 yards, and Anthony Reagan Jr., who had two carries for 7 yards. Steven Blanco scored a touchdown. Brock Chappell caught a 37-yard pass, Russell Babineaux had two receptions for 12 yards, and Kristion Brooks added an 11-yard catch. Mason Golding punted once for 43 yards, and the Ragin’ Cajuns’ defense forced an interception by Demery. Southern California’s Waymond Jordan rushed seven times for 32 yards and caught one pass for 5 yards. Shahn Alston added two carries for 20 yards, Riley Wormley caught two passes for 12 yards, and King Miller led the Trojans’ rushing effort with nine carries for 47 yards. Trent Mosley had one rush for 8 yards and one reception for 12 yards to go with his return score.

Southern California previously beat San Jose State and Fresno State, and the Trojans moved to 3-0. Louisiana had opened its season with a win over Lamar and fell to 1-1. Next for Louisiana is a home game against UAB on Sept. 19, followed by a trip to Charlotte on Sept. 26. Southern California visits Rutgers on Sept. 19 before hosting Oregon on Sept. 26. The Trojans also have upcoming games against Washington, Penn State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana, Maryland and UCLA. Louisiana’s schedule continues with Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Troy, Southern Mississippi, South Alabama, Louisiana-Monroe, Coastal Carolina and Georgia State.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Southern California 40, Louisiana 20. Interstat’s ELO system gave Southern California a 96.6 percent probability to win. Louisiana had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +30.5. The total score of 79 went under the over/under line of 58.5.