LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jayden Maiava passed for 349 yards and threw two of his three touchdown passes to freshman Trent Mosley, and No. 14 Southern California rolled to a 39-0 victory over Fresno State on Friday night.
Tanook Hines also had a TD reception, and freshman Kayden Dixon-Wyatt had six catches for 102 yards as the Trojans (2-0) followed up their Week 0 win over San Jose State by comprehensively dominating the Bulldogs (0-1).
USC’s defense gave an impressive effort under new coordinator Gary Patterson, allowing just 116 yards — a paltry 49 through three quarters — while recording two safeties and forcing two turnovers.
Maiava went 23 of 25 while playing just one series after halftime. Mosley, his new favorite target after a 118-yard debut last week, caught a 68-yard TD pass early and added a 10-yard scoring catch shortly before halftime, finishing with four catches for 104 yards.
Jayden Mandal passed for 77 yards in his second career start for the Bulldogs, who last beat USC in 1992. Fresno State couldn't compete in its first game against a ranked opponent under head coach Matt Entz, the former USC assistant who took over the Bulldogs last season.
Hines' TD catch capped USC's opening drive, and Mosley romped to his long TD after getting wide open down the middle. USC's defense added its first safety when a blitzing Kennedy Urlacher got to Mandal.
After Mosley's second TD catch, Urlacher forced a fumble by Mandal. Waymond Jordan rushed for a TD and a 30-0 halftime lead.
The Trojans were largely excellent on both sides of the ball, with Maiava carving up the Bulldogs' secondary and the USC defense showing more capability after a vanilla opener. This matchup looks like USC's biggest test before Oregon visits on Sept. 26, and the Trojans aced it — two fumbles and a turnover on downs notwithstanding.
Fresno State: Hosts Sacramento State on Sept. 12.
USC: Hosts Louisiana on Sept. 12.
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Southern California wide receiver Trent Mosley, right, scores a touchdown as Fresno State defensive back Ethan Tierney watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
DENVER (AP) — Iván Herrera hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning to rally the St. Louis Cardinals past the Colorado Rockies 7-6 on Friday night, tightening a crowded race for the final National League wild card.
St. Louis pulled even with Miami at 71-71 as both teams chase San Diego (74-67) and Arizona (74-68) for the last NL playoff berth.
With the Cardinals trailing 6-4 in the ninth, Thomas Saggese drew a leadoff walk from Jordan Romano (0-3) and stole second with one out. He went to third when José Fermín reached on a throwing error by third baseman Connor Norby.
Herrera then drove a 1-2 slider 430 feet to center field for his 15th home run, handing Romano his fourth blown save.
Riley O'Brien struck out two in the ninth for his 36th save. After committing a throwing error on a pickoff attempt that advanced the potential tying run to second base, O'Brien fanned rookie Cole Carrigg to end it.
Cade Winquist (1-0) worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings for his first major league win.
Carrigg hit an inside-the-park home run and TJ Rumfield also homered and finished with three hits for Colorado.
The Rockies rallied to take the lead in the sixth after St. Louis starter Andre Pallante held them to a run through five innings.
Rumfield hit a one-out triple off Hancel Rincon, who was making his major league debut, and scored on a wild pitch. Carrigg’s drive off the wall in center got away from outfielder Nathan Church, and the speedy Carrigg scored easily.
Justin Bruihl, who came on after a single, was called for a pitch-clock violation. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol argued with plate umpire Doug Eddings and was ejected.
Norby scored on Adael Amador’s single, and Troy Johnston was ruled safe when he raced home from third on Zac Veen’s sacrifice bunt. Replays showed catcher Leo Bernal tagged Johnston, but St. Louis lost its challenge earlier in the inning on Rumfield’s triple.
Rumfield’s solo homer in the seventh, his 15th of the season, extended the lead.
Cardinals LHP Matthew Liberatore (5-13, 5.41 ERA) goes for his first win in nine starts against Rockies rookie RHP Mason Adams (0-0, 3.00) on Saturday night.
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St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson warms up the infielders as clouds roll over Coors Field before the bottom of the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies' Cole Carrigg reacts after striking out against St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Riley O'Brien to end a baseball game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Leo Bernal, left, congratulates relief pitcher Riley O'Brien, right, after a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
St. Louis Cardinals' Iván Herrera watches his three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jordan Romano in the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
St. Louis Cardinals' Iván Herrera connects for a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jordan Romano in the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
