Makai Lemon has career night for No. 20 USC in 38-17 win over Northwestern

Makai Lemon had a career-high 161 yards and a touchdown as No. 20 USC beat Northwestern 38-17 on Friday night. The Trojans receiver also added a score on the ground as the team racked up 482 yards of total offense. By far one the worst defensive performances by the Wildcats this year. 

Jayden Maiava threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score for the Trojans (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten), who remained unbeaten at the Coliseum this season. 

King Miller ran for 127 yards and a touchdown as USC’s offense clicked early and never relented. Lemon sealed the win on a 4-yard jet sweep midway through the fourth quarter, keeping the Trojans in the postseason picture into mid-November for the first time since 2022.

Nortwestern's Preston Stone threw for 150 yards and Caleb Komolafe added 118 rushing yards and a score. The Wildcats dropped its second game in six outings. Griffin Wilde caught an early TD pass for the Wildcats, who fell to 0-6 all-time against USC.

The Trojans have now won six straight at home and will host Iowa on Nov. 15. Northwestern returns home the same day to face Michigan.

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