In front of a sparse Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum homecoming crowd, the USC Trojans defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 28-20 with a last-second game-winning int

We dissect the keys to USC’s success on Saturday against Nebraska, including a reason most may not expect as the number one factor.

USC’s second touchdown, a 12-yard Maiva throw to Kyron Hudson, went through the fingertips of Nebraska defensive back Malcolm Hartzog. The Trojans’ final scoring march stayed on track after Maiava’s third-down throw to Makai Lemon pinballed through the air between the receiver and Nebraska linebacker Javin Wright.

USC has not had a 1,000 yard rusher since Ronald Jones did it back in 2017 when he rumbled his way to 1,550 yards. Jones later became a second round pick in the 2018 NFL draft when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected the former Trojan with the No.

Maiava, in his first start at USC, threw a pick-six to Nebraska corner and former Trojan Ceyair Wright. Maiava did some good things on Saturday. There are some plays he’ll want back, too, like the interception and a third-quarter fumble.

Things are going from bad to worse to downright ugly when it comes to Lincoln Riley's tenure leading the USC Trojans. At 4-5 on the season, hardly anyone showed up to see USC host Nebraska in a gotta-have-it game for both Big Ten schools.