Jayden Maiava struggles and shines as USC beats Nebraska to revive bowl hopes
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava passes during the first half of the Trojans’ 28-20 win over Nebraska at the Coliseum on Saturday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
In the last gasps of a lost season, USC’s new quarterback stood in the Coliseum tunnel, his mind racing. Any last hopes of the Trojans salvaging their season — or at least securing a bowl bid —rested on his broad shoulders. Not to mention that his arrival would make history at USC, where he became the first-ever quarterback of Polynesian descent. Back in Hawaii, where his family is from, televisions were tuned in at watch parties meant just for him.
The surreality of that moment hit Jayden Maiava all at once Saturday. Nothing had been guaranteed when he transferred to USC more than 10 months earlier, joining a USC offense that already had a presumptive starter in Miller Moss. But he’d taken a …