In a rare fourth-ever meeting and first since 1977, Southern California and Texas A&M are set to clash in the upcoming Las Vegas Bowl on Friday. USC (6-6) makes a return to the bowl for the first time since their 2013 victory over Fresno State, capping off a successful 10-win season. This time, USC aims to avoid a third sub-.500 finish since 2018, a feat not seen since the program experienced a similar struggle from 1957 to 1961.
Despite a recent loss to rival Notre Dame, the Trojans found momentum late in the season with new starting quarterback Jayden Maiava. With Maiava leading the way, USC secured narrow victories over Nebraska and UCLA, showcasing his ability to drive late-game touchdown successes.
Maiava expressed his dedication to supporting his team and minimizing turnovers, acknowledging his growth as a player and leader. As he faces Texas A&M in the upcoming game, Maiava looks to build on his recent success while adapting to a revamped receiving corps due to key player departures.
On the other side, Texas A&M (8-4) enters their inaugural Las Vegas Bowl appearance with a more stable roster compared to USC. Despite a challenging end to their regular season after an initial strong start, the Aggies are eager to bounce back against USC and secure their first victory over the Trojans.
Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed, who has seen significant growth since his first start, acknowledges the significance of facing a renowned team like USC. With the opportunity to make history by defeating the Trojans, Reed is determined to lead his team to success in this highly anticipated matchup.
Reed completed 121 of 198 passes for 1,572 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions in the regular season. He added 501 rushing yards and six scores on the ground.
