USC football demonstrates early improvements through two non-conference victories

USC opened its 2026 campaign with back-to-back non-conference wins, moving to a 2-0 record following a shutout performance against Fresno State. The Trojans, who previously opened their season with a victory over San Jose State, showed marked improvements on the defensive side of the ball under new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has completed 89% of his passes with six total touchdowns in the first two games. While the offensive line and secondary require additional attention, analysts noted the team's clean start to the year. USC remains scheduled for several upcoming non-conference contests before entering a challenging stretch of its schedule. These future games against Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana are expected to provide a clearer indication of the team's standing in the conference.

• 11:05 AMYahoo Sports — UCLA football writer is impressed by USC after two 2026 games