Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs drop season opener at No. 14 USC
9/4/2026 10:33:00 PM | Football
LOS ANGELES – Fresno State fell 39-0 to No. 14 USC on Friday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
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The Bulldogs' defense forced a pair of turnovers in the loss, but Fresno State was held to 116 yards of offense as the Trojans scored 23 points in the second quarter to take control of the game.
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How It HappenedÂ
USC opened the scoring with an 82-yard drive, capped by Jayden Maiava's eight-yard touchdown pass to Tanook Hines with 9:27 remaining in the first quarter.
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Fresno State responded by moving into USC territory on its opening possession before the drive ended with an interception. The Bulldogs quickly regained possession when Dylan Hampsten forced a fumble that was recovered by Tytus Khajavi at the Fresno State 43-yard line.
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The Trojans extended their lead early in the second quarter on a 68-yard touchdown pass from Maiava to Trent Mosley. USC added a safety midway through the period before Maiava connected with Mosley again, this time for a nine-yard score. A Fresno State fumble later gave the Trojans possession at the Bulldogs' 38-yard line, setting up Waymond Jordan's two-yard touchdown run with 14 seconds remaining in the half.
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Fresno State's defense kept USC out of the end zone during the third quarter. Deijon Laffitte forced a fumble at the Bulldogs' seven-yard line, which RJ Regan recovered. USC recorded its second safety on the next play, however, to extend its advantage to 32-0.
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The Trojans closed the scoring on Deshonne Redeaux's five-yard touchdown run with 5:46 left in the fourth quarter.
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Fresno State put together its longest drive of the night on its final possession, covering 60 yards in 11 plays. Jayden Mandal connected with Harold Duvall for consecutive 17-yard gains as the Bulldogs advanced inside the USC 10-yard line, but the drive ended on downs at the 15.
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Up Next
Fresno State hosts Sacramento State next Saturday for the Bulldogs' home opener. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT from Valley Children's Stadium.
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats

FST 0, USC 7
USC - Hines,Tanook 8 yd pass from Maiava,Jayden (Chittenden,Caden kick) 12 plays, 82 yards, TOP 05:33

FST 0, USC 14
USC - Mosley,Trent 68 yd pass from Maiava,Jayden (Chittenden,Caden kick) 4 plays, 83 yards, TOP 01:45

FST 0, USC 16
USC - 0 yd safety

FST 0, USC 23
USC - Mosley,Trent 9 yd pass from Maiava,Jayden (Chittenden,Caden kick) 5 plays, 65 yards, TOP 02:56

FST 0, USC 30
USC - Jordan,Waymond 2 yd run (Chittenden,Caden kick), 5 plays, 38 yards, TOP 02:10

FST 0, USC 32
USC - Graham,Alex 0 yd safety

FST 0, USC 39
USC - Redeaux,Deshonne 5 yd run (Chittenden,Caden kick), 10 plays, 79 yards, TOP 06:47












