Big plays and turnovers: Five numbers that shaped USC's 33-17 victory over Purdue

The Trojans scored 17 points off three turnovers as the Boilermakers suffered their first loss of the season

Sep 14, 2025

Of all the days, why did it rain on Saturday?

Tippecanoe County has been dry - along with most of the Midwest - during the last two months, and trying to squeeze any moisture out of the sky was a daily prayer that wasn’t answered.

But Saturday was the time for thunder and lightning, blanketing the area and forcing the USC-Purdue matchup into a three-hour weather delay and CBS to scramble its primetime lineup.

The game was scheduled to start at 3:40 p.m., but kicked off at 6:45 p.m., with fewer fans inside Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers had their moments, but the Trojans had more and posted a 33-17 victory in their first appearance in West Lafayette since 1975.

Saturday will be remembered for severe thunderstorm warnings, a stadium evacuation, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Rose Bowl team, too many Purdue turnovers, and USC’s numerous big plays.

Purdue QB Ryan Browne scores on a trick play **(Chad Krockover Photography)**

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Turnovers. Quarterback Ryan Browne had three. Two he wants back. The other was a fluke (see below). Down 3-0, the Boilermakers were approaching the end zone on their first drive, looking to get the crowd involved after the long weather delay. But Browne threw late over the middle, and Bishop Fitzgearld juggled the pass but hauled it in. USC converted the turnover into a touchdown and totaled 17 points off Purdue’s mistakes. Fitzgerald jumped the route and picked off Browne in the fourth quarter, ending the chances of a comeback.

MORE: Dave Wegiel Photography | Chad Krockover Photography | Mark Elsner Photography

Otherwise, Browne put together a solid game, completing 24 of 38 passes - hitting seven receivers - for 305 yards and one touchdown. Michael Jackson III and EJ Horton collected 12 passes for 140 yards. Meanwhile, Purdue hasn’t forced a takeaway through three games. That needs to change.

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It wasn’t third down, but fourth down dealt a blow to the Boilermakers. The Trojans didn’t need any fourth-down attempts in their first two games, but were 4-for-4, including two on a second-quarter scoring drive that extended the advantage to 17-3. Jayden Maiava hit tight end Ryan McRee for 12 yards and used a quarterback keeper on fourth-and-1 to gain two yards, setting up Waymond Jordan’s 6-yard TD. Maiava hit Walker Lyons for nine yards, putting the Trojans in position to kick a 48-yard field goal and increase the lead to 23-10 with 5:01 left in the third quarter. Why did USC have opportunities on fourth down? It was 4 of 13 on third down.

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One pre-game thought was that Purdue needed a trick play to surprise the Trojans. How about two backward passes? On first-and-10 from the USC 26-yard line, Browne hit Michael Jackson III on a lateral pass that lost eight yards. But Jackson returned a lateral pass to Browne, who scooped up the loose ball after a USC defender missed an interception opportunity and raced 34 yards into the end zone. The play was upheld after a review and brought the Boilermakers within 20-10 with 8:47 left in the third quarter.

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A big man touchdown for the Trojans. Say hello to Jamaal Jarrett. He’s all of 6-foot-5, 360 pounds, and carried his heavy frame on an interception return for a score, pushing the Trojans’ lead to 30-10 after the Boilermakers were driving, trailing by 13 points late in the third quarter. Turning point in the game. Jarrett was the benefactor of USC putting Browne in a sandwich, thanks to Devan Thompkins and Kameryn Fountain. The ball popped out of Browne’s hand and into the arms of Jarrett, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Georgia. Jarrett found the right gear during his 70-yard run and crossed the goal line, immediately seeking oxygen. Thompkins and Fountain were part of a five-sack night for the Trojans, who also totaled 10 tackles for loss.

USC’s Jayden Maiava **(Dave Wegiel Photography)**

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USC was all about big plays, generating five passing plays of 20 yards or more to build a 17-3 halftime lead. The Trojans finished with seven passing plays of 20 yards or more, which helps tell the story of his game. Those seven plays accounted for 78.7% of Maiava’s 282 passing yards. Maiava hit Ja’Kobi Lane for 59 yards, connected with Makai Lemon for 21 yards, and found Tanook Hines for 25 yards on the first two drives. Maiava averaged 31.7 yards per completion on those seven passes and was 10 of 21 for 60 yards the rest of the game, averaging 6.0 yards per completion. Lemon, Lane, and McRee caught a combined 11 passes for 245 yards and totaled 95 yards after the catch. The speed, quickness, and athletic ability of USC’s receivers were noticeable from the opening drive. They were able to win jumpballs and outmaneuver defenders. The Boilermakers allowed just two of those big plays after halftime, but the threat put pressure on the defense throughout the game. USC’s run game was solid, rushing for 178 yards on 40 carries.