In the last gasps of an otherwise lost season, USC’s new quarterback trotted onto the field Saturday afternoon as a towering 6-foot-5 symbol of hope. Any last chance of the Trojans salvaging their season — or at least securing a bowl bid — rested on his broad shoulders.
The weight of the moment was what Jayden Maiava had transferred to USC to find in the first place. Nothing had been guaranteed when he committed more than 10 months earlier, joining a USC offense that already had a presumptive starter in Miller Moss. The long wait had only amped up the anticipation since, as Maiava told himself to “fall in love” with the process, waiting his turn.