True freshman quarterback JT Daniels threw for 282 yards and one touchdown, Vavae Malepeai rushed for two scores, and No. 15 Southern California overcame a sluggish first half Saturday to earn a 43-21 victory over UNLV at Los Angeles in the nonconference opener for each team.

Daniels, the first true freshman to start the opening game for the Trojans since Matt Barkley in 2009, hooked up with fellow freshman Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 43-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter as USC took a 26-14 lead.

St. Brown caught seven passes for 98 yards in his college football debut. Daniels and St. Brown were teammates last year at nearby Mater Dei High School.

USC senior running back Aca'Cedric Ware gained 100 yards on 10 carries, including a 15-yard TD run with 12:39 remaining.

UNLV senior running back Lexington Thomas rushed for 136 yards on 14 carries, including a 71-yard TD run in the first quarter.

USC was held to just four field goals in the first half until Malepeai scored on a 2-yard TD run with 1:04 remaining before halftime. The Trojans carried a 19-14 lead into halftime and never trailed again.

Thomas lost a fumble on UNLV's first offensive play of the season, but USC could only manage a Chase McGrath field goal, despite starting their opening drive on the Rebels' 25-yard line. McGrath made field goals of 46, 38, 29, 47 and 36 yards.

UNLV got its offense back on track with a TD in each of the first two quarters. After Thomas' long TD run with 2:37 remaining in the first quarter, sophomore quarterback Armani Rogers gave the Rebels a 14-9 lead with 10:32 remaining in the first half on a 31-yard TD pass to Kendal Keys.

Rogers completed 12 of 27 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns while adding 18 carries for 82 yards.

Visually impaired USC long snapper Jake Olson participated on a successful PAT following Malepeai's fourth-quarter TD with 1:38 remaining. It was his second snap at USC after also participating in a PAT last season.

--Field Level Media