USC benching Moss, Maiava to take control of at QB

• Pete Thamel Close Pete Thamel ESPN College Football Senior Author for ESPN. Expert for College Gameday.Paolo Uggetti Nov 5

  , 2024, 09:53 AM ET USC is making a change at quarterback, replacing starter Miller

• Moss with UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava, head coach Lincoln Riley confirmed Tuesday.After the Trojans lost 4 of their past five games and fell to 4-5 on the season, coach Lincoln Riley will decide to provide the sophomore starting associates when they host Nebraska on Nov. 16. USC is currently on its second bye week of the season.”When we returned and looked at it, we seemed like it was in the very best interest of the team to offer Jayden a possibility here,”Riley stated after Tuesday’s practice. “This is not a reflection of anything more than we have another good player in the room and we seem like he gives us a good opportunity. … It’s truly that simple.” Moss began the season by leading the Trojans to a signature success over LSU in Las Vegas, but he has actually fallen back over the past few games.Editor’s Picks 1 Related Playing behind an unstable offending line, Moss has actually made crucial errors of his own. In his previous 5 games,

the junior

has tossed 7 interceptions. Versus Washington on Saturday, Moss threw 3 costly picks in a 26-21 loss.In 9 games as starter, Moss has thrown for 2,555 lawns with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions.”You might literally not change one thing

that Miller’s done and we could be sitting here with an actually, truly excellent record right now,”Riley stated.

USC has especially lost 5 fourth-quarter leads this season.” Miller has done a great task. He’s been a really great leader for this team. He’s been loyal to this program. He has striven, and he has done a lot of actually good ideas on the football field.”Maiava transferred to USC this offseason after a strong freshman campaign at UNLV during which he threw for 3,085 yards and 17 goals. He finished 63.5 %of his passes and included three rushing touchdowns.”He’s improved throughout the year. He enhanced in camp. And he’s continued to enhance,” Riley stated.”It’s challenging being the backup, and I felt like he’s managed it that well. He’s a skilled kid. In these circumstances, it is difficult. It’s like you’ve got two children, particularly at that position, and just one of them is going to be out there. However we’re clearly excited for Jayden to get this chance.”Though Riley said he is not expecting the switch to open a various aspect of the Trojans’ offense or include something that’s missing out on, Maiava is a more mobile choice under center.

In restricted looks this season, Maiava has showcased his ability to get away the pocket and make plays on the run. He has made eight conclusions for 66 backyards and ran the ball three times for 27 lawns, consisting of a touchdown.After supporting Heisman Prize winner Caleb Williams for two seasons, Moss’ first start was available in the 2023 Holiday Bowl, when he tossed for a bowl-record 6 goals and staked his claim to be the starter

in 2024. Though the quarterback competitors in between Maiava and Moss extended into fall camp, Riley was determined throughout team practices that Moss was ahead.Despite four losses in the previous five games, Riley had stayed outwardly steadfast in his self-confidence in Moss as the starter. At one point ahead of USC’s match against Rutgers 2 weeks earlier, Riley said Moss was”100% “the starter moving forward.

“He’s simply got to be ready for the next opportunity, you never understand how that’s going to play out,” Riley stated of Moss. “The tough thing is you don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, however if I understand Miller he’ll remain in a really favorable frame of mind. He’ll come and go to work for this group and he’ll be prepared for his next opportunity no matter where it is, and we’re going to continue to press and coach him to help him.”When asked Tuesday whether the quarterback modification was made with the future in mind– Moss has one year of eligibility left, and Maiava remains in just his 2nd season– Riley balked at the concept.”You only get so many minutes with this group, and so I have actually never ever

attempted to make decisions … I’m not stating you don’t consider the future, due to the fact that of course we do, “Riley said.”But I think I’m in the incorrect if I’m only taking a look at it and so this is not a choice with the future in

mind.”USC’s loss at Washington this past week puts it in risk of not protecting a bowl berth. With 3 games remaining, the Trojans hope Maiava can supply a much-needed trigger.