USC starting QB 2024: Who will start for Lincoln Riley's team in Week 12
It's been confirmed that Lincoln Riley will change quarterbacks for Week 12. USC's Miller Moss hasn't had the best of seasons so far and while his numbers in their last game (a 26-21 loss to Washington) were good on the surface, it seems Riley is worried by the amount of turnovers the quarterback gave up. Moss threw for 293 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions, in the loss to the Huskies.
The Trojans are doing badly in their new conference, with a 2-5 Big Ten record. Miller started the year strongly, but he has shown to be an unreliable passer against Big Ten opposition. Mainly due to the amount of turnovers he has given up. All of this had led coach Riley to go with backup Jayden Maiava for Week 12, which was initially reported by Connor Morrissette of USCFootball.com.
Morrissette reported at the start of the week that according to his sources, Riley would change quarterbacks for the game against Nebraska on Nov. 16. Here's what the reporter said on the subject:
“USC football is making a change at quarterback. UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava will start in place of Miller Moss against Nebraska next week, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.”
Maiava is a redshirt sophomore currently in his third season of college football, after spending his first two seasons with the UNLV Rebels. In one full season as the Rebels starter, he threw for 3085 yards with 17 touchdowns and ten interceptions. For his performances, he earned the Mountain West Freshman of the Year Award.
The news of him being the starting quarterback against Nebraska was confirmed late on Monday. Since then, the player has said this of the opportunity:
“I’m here for one thing and that’s just to win games and I firmly believe in our teammates,” Maiava said. “We got a great team, great coaching staff."
Miller Moss's and Jayden Maiava's numbers for USC in 2024
Miller Moss has started for the USC Trojans all season long, taking them to an overall record of 4-5. The Los Angeles native has thrown for 2555 yards, with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has also committed 11 turnovers this season, and his 74 QBR ranks 30th among quarterbacks nationwide.
October was especially tough for Moss and the Trojans, as they lost three of their four games.
Meanwhile, Maiava has only thrown for 66 yards this year. His only opportunity to throw the ball came in an early game against Utah State, where he went 8-of-11 with no touchdowns or interceptions. He has had a pair of carries in games against Wisconsin and Rutgers, totaling 27 rushing yards. His only score of the season came on a rushing touchdown against Utah State.
USC is on a bye this week, marking their second of the season. They will return to action on Nov. 16, when they face the Nebraska Cornhuskers.