USC Trojans Defeat Northwestern Wildcats 38-17
Friday, November 7, 2025, 9:00 PM ET · Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
USC Trojans 38, Northwestern Wildcats 17, final. Our NCAAF picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Northwestern Wildcats vs USC Trojans?
USC Trojans beat Northwestern Wildcats 38-17 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 7, 2025.
In a decisive matchup, the USC Trojans secured a solid victory over the Northwestern Wildcats with a final score of 38-17 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This game highlighted the Trojans' strong home performance, improving their record to 8-2, while the Wildcats fell to 5-5 on the season.
The Trojans entered the game with a home record of 4-1 and had been performing well recently, boasting a 7-3 record over their last ten games. They were on a one-game winning streak, having defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 21-17 in their previous outing. USC averaged 37.2 points scored per game while allowing 24.1 points, showcasing their offensive strength and defensive resilience throughout the season.
On the other hand, the Northwestern Wildcats had a mixed season, with a 5-4 overall record and a struggling away record of 1-3. Their recent form was less impressive, with a record of 5-5 in their last ten games and a current losing streak of one game, following a 21-28 loss to Nebraska. The Wildcats averaged 21.4 points scored and allowed 22.2 points per game, indicating a struggle to maintain consistency on both sides of the ball.
Historically, the Trojans and Wildcats have faced each other multiple times, but this particular matchup was significant as it showcased the Trojans' dominance at home. USC's ability to score quickly and effectively was evident in their performance, as they consistently found the end zone against Northwestern's defense.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing from either side, suggesting both teams were at full strength for this important contest. The conditions at the Coliseum were favorable for football, with clear skies and a lively atmosphere contributing to the game's intensity.
The market reflected USC's strong position going into the game, pricing them as heavy favorites with a home win probability of 1.0, indicating complete confidence in their ability to secure the victory. This was evident throughout the game as the Trojans controlled the pace and flow, demonstrating their offensive capabilities against a Wildcats team that struggled to keep up.
Viewers were treated to a display of offensive prowess from the Trojans, who effectively utilized their playmakers to create scoring opportunities. The game featured a balanced attack, with both the running and passing games contributing to the final score. The Wildcats, while showing moments of resilience, ultimately could not match the Trojans' scoring output, leading to their defeat.
Overall, the matchup between the USC Trojans and Northwestern Wildcats was a testament to USC's strong home advantage and offensive firepower, setting the stage for the remainder of the season as they look to build on this victory.
Leaders
- Passing yardsJayden Maiava24/33, 299 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INTUSC Trojans
- Rushing yardsKing Miller15 CAR, 127 YDS, 1 TDUSC Trojans
- Receiving yardsMakai Lemon11 REC, 161 YDS, 1 TDUSC Trojans
- Passing yardsPreston Stone20/30, 150 YDS, 1 TDNorthwestern Wildcats
- Rushing yardsCaleb Komolafe17 CAR, 118 YDS, 1 TDNorthwestern Wildcats
- Receiving yardsCaleb Komolafe5 REC, 40 YDSNorthwestern Wildcats
Recent form
USC Trojans
Last 10: 7-3Streak W137.2 scored · 24.1 allowed per game4-1 at home
- W21-17at Nebraska CornhuskersNov 1
- L24-34at Notre Dame Fighting IrishOct 18
- W31-13vs Michigan WolverinesOct 11
- L32-34at Illinois Fighting IlliniSep 27
- W45-31vs Michigan State SpartansSep 21
- W33-17at Purdue BoilermakersSep 13
- W59-20vs Georgia Southern EaglesSep 6
- W73-13vs Missouri State BearsAug 30
- L35-49vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishNov 30
- W19-13at UCLA BruinsNov 24
Northwestern Wildcats
Last 10: 5-5Streak L121.4 scored · 22.2 allowed per game1-3 away
- L21-28at Nebraska CornhuskersOct 25
- W19-0vs Purdue BoilermakersOct 18
- W22-21at Penn State Nittany LionsOct 11
- W42-7vs UL Monroe WarhawksOct 4
- W17-14vs UCLA BruinsSep 27
- L14-34vs Oregon DucksSep 13
- W42-7vs Western Illinois LeathernecksSep 5
- L3-23at Tulane Green WaveAug 30
- L28-38vs Illinois Fighting IlliniNov 30
- L6-50at Michigan WolverinesNov 23
Standings
| Team | Overall | In conference |
|---|---|---|
| USC | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Illinois | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Indiana | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Iowa | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Maryland | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Michigan State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Michigan | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Minnesota | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Nebraska | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Northwestern | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Ohio State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Oregon | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Penn State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Purdue | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Rutgers | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| UCLA | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Washington | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Wisconsin | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Box score
| Stat | Northwestern Wildcats | USC Trojans |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 13 | 24 |
| Third downs | 4-12 | 6-11 |
| Fourth downs | 1-2 | 2-2 |
| Total yards | 280 | 482 |
| Net passing yards | 150 | 309 |
| Completions | 20/30 | 25/34 |
| Yards per pass | 5.0 | 9.1 |
| Rushing yards | 130 | 173 |
| Rushing attempts | 25 | 30 |
| Yards per rush | 5.2 | 5.8 |
| Penalties | 2-26 | 4-30 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Fumbles lost | 2 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 27:24 | 32:36 |
Win probability
Above the line favours USC Trojans, below favours Northwestern Wildcats.
Venue
- Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA
- Attendance67179
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