USC Trojans defeat Rutgers Scarlet Knights 42-35: Recap & Betting Results
Sat, Sep 19, 2026 · NCAAF · USC Trojans 42, Rutgers Scarlet Knights 35
The USC Trojans beat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 42-35 on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at SHI Stadium. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights covered the spread as 21.5-point underdogs. The game went over the closing total of 59, with 77 points combined.
USC Trojans vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights final score and game recap
The USC Trojans led 10-7 after the first quarter and 20-14 at halftime. They outscored the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 22-21 in the second half. They led at the end of every quarter.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- Jayden Maiava (USC Trojans): 20/32 passing for 277 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.
- King Miller (USC Trojans): 16 carries for 102 yards, 1 rushing touchdown.
- Dylan Lonergan (Rutgers Scarlet Knights): 18/36 passing for 252 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions.
- Antwan Raymond (Rutgers Scarlet Knights): 21 carries for 122 yards, 1 rushing touchdown.
Who covered the spread in USC Trojans vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights?
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights covered the spread as 21.5-point underdogs, losing by 7 points.
The spread opened at USC Trojans -23.5 and closed at USC Trojans -21.5.
Did USC Trojans vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights go over or under the total?
The game went over: 77 points combined against a closing total of 59, over by 18. 34 of the 77 points came in the first half.
The total opened at 59.5 and closed at 59.
USC Trojans vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights game prop results: team totals, first quarter and first half
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- USC Trojans team total 40.5: the over, paying -115, with 42 scored.
- First-quarter total 13.5: the over, paying -160, with 17 points scored.
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights team total 17.5: the over, paying -106, with 35 scored.
- First-half moneyline: USC Trojans won the first half, paying -950.
- First-quarter moneyline: USC Trojans won the first quarter, paying -750.
- First-half spread: Rutgers Scarlet Knights +13.5 covered, paying -108.
- First-half total 31.5: the over, paying +100, with 34 points scored.
USC Trojans vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the USC Trojans at -2200 and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at +1200. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the USC Trojans a 93% favorite. The USC Trojans won as the favorite at -2200: $4.55 profit on a $100 bet.
The spread moved toward the Rutgers Scarlet Knights between the open and the close, and they covered. The total moved down from 59.5 to 59, and the game went over.
USC Trojans and Rutgers Scarlet Knights betting trends: 2026 season
This result left the USC Trojans 4-0 in the 2026 regular season (3-0 at home, 1-0 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 1 of 4 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 3 times and under 1 time. That made it four straight wins for the USC Trojans.
This result left the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 0-3 in the 2026 regular season (0-2 at home, 0-1 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 1 of 3 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 2 times and under 1 time. That made it three straight losses for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
What's next for USC Trojans and Rutgers Scarlet Knights?
Next for the USC Trojans: the Oregon Ducks at home on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Next for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights: the Howard Bison at home on Friday, September 25, 2026.