USC Upsets Penn State Before Record Beaver Stadium Crowd
USC defeated Penn State in front of a record 114,419 fans at Beaver Stadium, cooling Lincoln Riley's hot seat while raising early doubts about Penn State's post-James Franklin rebuild under Matt Campbell.
USC went into Beaver Stadium and beat Penn State in front of the largest crowd in the venue's history, a result that eases pressure on Trojans coach Lincoln Riley while deepening doubts about the Nittany Lions' direction in their first season under Matt Campbell.
Penn State announced an attendance of 114,419 for the 7:30 p.m. EDT kickoff, the highest ever recorded at Beaver Stadium. The university had designated the matchup as its annual «White Out» game, and fans responded by filling the venue despite a disappointing start to the 2026 season for both programs.
The loss was Penn State's third in a row and came after a 34-13 defeat at the hands of Northwestern in which the Nittany Lions surrendered 506 total yards, including 413 on the ground. Against USC, the defensive problems continued, and over the past two games Penn State has allowed 936 total yards.
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava delivered one of the best performances of his career, completing 21 of 33 passes for three touchdowns while steadying the offense as the running game struggled early. In the second half, running backs King Miller and Waymond Jordan took over as Penn State's defense wore down, and the Trojans salted away the game on their final possession.
Freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley, who had missed the previous two games with an injury, caught nine passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, showcasing the explosiveness that has made him one of the most dynamic young players in the country.
Penn State's offense never found a rhythm. The running attack managed just 68 yards on 31 attempts against a USC defense that has been inconsistent all season. Several second-half drives stalled deep in Trojans territory, forcing the Nittany Lions to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns.
Trailing by eight points in the fourth quarter, Penn State had a first down at the USC 39-yard line with 6:31 remaining. The series produced two incomplete passes, a sack and a punt. After the defense forced a stop and returned the ball to the offense, the Nittany Lions fumbled it right back to the Trojans.
USC then ran out the clock, aided by a critical Penn State penalty. On third-and-3 with just over a minute left, the Nittany Lions' defensive line was flagged for delay of game after using signals in an attempt to draw the Trojans offside. The automatic first down ended any remaining hope of a comeback.
The sequence capped a frustrating night for Campbell, who was also maneuvered into burning his final timeout by Riley's use of an unorthodox punt formation. For a coach whose job security has been a constant topic in Los Angeles, Riley's ability to outmaneuver his counterpart marked a notable turn.
The stakes entering the game were significant for both sides. USC had lost 41-27 to Oregon two weeks earlier and was coming off an ugly 25-21 win over Washington. A loss to Penn State would have effectively ended the Trojans' College Football Playoff hopes with games against Ohio State and Indiana still ahead. Riley's team had also struggled on the road since joining the Big Ten, posting a 4-7 record in away games and performing poorly in the Eastern Time Zone.
For Penn State, the game was an opportunity to prove that Beaver Stadium remains one of the toughest venues in the country and that the program could win marquee matchups against ranked opponents in the first year of the Campbell era. Instead, the Nittany Lions fell short on both counts.
The broader context is uncomfortable for Penn State supporters. The end of James Franklin's tenure was disappointing, but the program was just a few plays away from competing for a national championship in the 2024-2025 College Football Playoff. The roster has since undergone significant turnover, and the early results under Campbell have yet to suggest the Nittany Lions are closer to that goal.
Penn State's schedule does ease somewhat going forward, but the team must regroup immediately for a road trip to Michigan. USC, meanwhile, enters a bye week before traveling to Wisconsin. Both games should reveal more about the trajectory of each program.
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