No. 17 USC recorded a statement win with a 26-21 victory over No. 21 Iowa at home. The Trojans held the Hawkeyes scoreless in the second half and erased an early 21-7 deficit to move to 8-2 (6-1 Big Ten). USC was powered by another big performance from star wide receiver Makai Lemon, who finished with 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown.

Two top-10 SEC showdowns are scheduled, including Oklahoma at Alabama and Texas at Georgia.

Upon returning to the game, Mendoza promptly broke Kurtis Rourke’s single-season school record with his 30th touchdown pass, a 5-yarder to Omar Cooper Jr., in the fourth quarter.