- Share via
No. 18 USC wastes red-zone chances, falls to No. 9 Indiana as playoff hopes fade
It was last December, after another season at USC fell short of the College Football Playoff, that coach Lincoln Riley promised his Trojans wouldn’t be waiting much longer to compete for a title.
“I really believe a window here has opened up,” he said.
Less than a year later, on a chilly night in Bloomington, Ind., that window basically was begging USC to burst through it. The Trojans’ playoff hopes, with three games remaining, still were in their hands. And Indiana, the defending national champion, gave No. 18 USC every opportunity to seize it on Saturday.
- Share via
Commentary: USC needs to make the right decision and say ‘adios’ to Lincoln Riley
Five years, and no playoff.
Five years, and one win over a top-10 team.
Five years, and one win over a ranked opponent on the road.
Five years, and enough.
The Lincoln Riley era needs to be put out of its misery after one more smackdown Saturday in a 27-13 loss to defending champion Indiana at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.
In the wake of another turnover-ridden, penalty-marred, underachieving-tainted loss, USC officials need to text their coach with the exact word he used when he oddly ended his postgame news conference after the victory against Ohio State.
Adios.
- Share via
USC tosses an interception and Indiana runs out the clock on a win
No. 9 Indiana 27, No. 18 USC 13, end of fourth quarter
USC started on its 25 after the touchback.
Jayden Maiava passed to Trent Mosley for 15 yards. Maiava tossed back-to-back incomplete passes. On third-and-10 with 3:01 left, Indiana called timeout. Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for no a loss of three yards.
On fourth-and-13, Maiava heaved the ball under pressure and it was intercepted by Jamari Sharpe. Maiava tackled Sharpe on the interception return.
Indiana took over the USC 29.
Khobie Martin ran for two yards and the two-minute timeout was triggered. Martin ran for 10 yards. Martin ran for two yards. Indiana took a knee and ran out the clock.
- Share via
Indiana scores crushing touchdown late in fourth quarter
No. 9 Indiana 27, No. 18 USC 13, 3:30 left in the fourth quarter
Indiana started on its seven-yard line after the interception.
Lee Beebe Jr. ran for four yards. Beebe ran for five yards. Khobie Martin ran for eight yards and USC’s Desman Stephens II was called for a horse collar tackle penalty. On first down at the Indiana 39, Martin ran for 12 yards. Beebe ran for two yards and USC called timeout at the 3:41 mark. Beebe ran for five yards. USC called timeout at the 3:36 mark. Wilson passed to Charlie Becker for a 42-yard touchdown that effectively crushed USC’s College Football Playoff hopes.
Indiana hit the extra point.
- Share via
Jayden Maiava tosses crushing interception
No. 9 Indiana 20, No. 18 USC 13, 6:33 left in the fourth quarter
USC started on its 11.
Jayden Maiava passed to Taniela Tupou for 17 yards. Waymond Jordan ran for no gain. Maiava passed to King Miller for 17 yards. Maiava’s passed to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt was incomplete. Maiava passed to Trent Mosley for 13 yards. Maiava passed to Mosley again 34 yards to the Indiana 8. Jordan ran for two yards. Maiava’s pass was intercepted by Isaiah Jones. Jones fumbled and recovered the ball at the Indiana 7.
- Share via
USC defense forces critical Indiana punt
No. 9 Indiana 20, No. 18 USC 13, 10:23 left in the fourth quarter
Indiana started on its 20 after the missed field goal.
Grant Wilson tossed an incomplete pass intended for Nick Marsh that was nearly intercepted. Lee Beebe Jr. ran for five yards. Top receiving threat Marsh went to the locker room for treatment. On third-and-five after an Indiana timeout, Wilson passed to Tyler Morris for 22 yards. On first down on the Indiana 47, the Hoosiers were called for false start. Indiana called its second timeout of the half.
Wilson passed to Brock Schott for five yards. On second-and-10, Wilson passed to Shazz Preston for six yards. On third-and-four at the USC 47, Wilson ran for no gain. Indiana was called for holding, but Lincoln Riley declined the penalty.
On fourth-and-four, Indiana took the delay of game penalty while trying to get USC to jump offsides. Indiana punted out of bounds at the USC 11.
- Share via
USC fails in red zone, misses field goal early in fourth quarter
No. 9 Indiana 20, No. 18 USC 13, 14:11 left in the fourth quarter
USC started on its 25 after the touchback.
King Miller ran for a loss of three yards. Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass intended for Trent Mosley. Maiava passed to Mosley for 15 yards. Maiava’s pass intended Kayden Dixon-Wyatt was incomplete, but Indiana was called for pass interference, moving the ball to the Indiana 48. Maiava passed to Mosley in traffic for 24 yards. Waymond Jordan ran 12 yards, hurdling over an Indiana defender. Jordan ran for two yards to the Indiana 10 as time ran out in the third quarter.
On second-and-eight at the Indiana 10, Miller ran for no gain. On third-and-eight, Maiava tossed a pass that was tipped and could not be pulled in by Mark Bowman.
Caden Chittenden missed a 27-yard field goal.
- Share via
Indiana leads touchdown drive
No. 9 Indiana 20, No. 18 USC 13, 2:39 left in the third quarter
Indiana started on its 25 after the touchback.
Lee Beebe Jr. ran for four yards. Grant Wilson passed to Charlie Becker for 26 yards to the USC 45. Wilson passed to Khobie Martin for seven yards. Martin was tossed the ball on a sweep and officials ruled he ran for a 38-yard touchdown. The play was reviewed and Martin was ruled down at a half yard line. Martin ran for a one-yard touchdown. Indiana hit the extra point.
- Share via
USC hits field goal to tie game late in third quarter
No. 18 USC 13, No. 9 Indiana 13, 4:27 left in the third quarter
USC started on its 25 after a touchback on the kickoff. Indiana and USC were called for offsetting penalties on the kickoff.
Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass under pressure intended for Trent Mosley. Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for 21 yards. Maiava passed to Waymond Jordan for six yards. King Miller ran for 19 yards. Miller ran for no gain. Maiava passed to Zacharyus Williams for seven yards. Jordan ran for six yards.
On first down at the Indiana 16, Maiava threw the ball away as he was hit, avoiding a sack. Miller ran for eight yards. Miller ran for no gain. On fourth-and-two at the Indiana 8, Caden Chittenden hit a 25-yard field goal to tie the game.
- Share via
USC limits Indiana to field goal on first drive of third quarter
No. 9 Indiana 13, No. 18 USC 10, 10:02 left in the third quarter
Indiana started on its 28 after a 26-yard kickoff return.
Grant Wilson passed to Charlie Becker for seven yards. Indiana was called for false start. Grant Wilson passed to Shazz Preston for 18 yards. Lee Beebe Jr. ran for six yards. Wilson passed to Nick Marsh for 12 yards. Wilson passed to Brock Schott for 15 yards. Wilson’s pass to the end zone was nearly intercepted by USC’s Prophet Brown. Wilson’s pass was incomplete, but USC was called offsides on the play.
On second-and-five at the USC 14, Khobie Martin ran for six yards. Martin ran for three yards. Beebe ran for a loss of one yard. On third-and-goal at the USC 6, Wilson’s pass was broken up and fell incomplete.
Nico Radicic hit a 24-yard field goal.
- Share via
USC interception helps set up Trojans’ touchdown that ties the game
No. 18 USC 10, No. 9 Indiana 10, end of second quarter
Indiana kicked off to the end zone and Chasen Johnson delivered an absurd personal foul hit, pushing USC back to its 13.
Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass intended for Trent Mosley. Maiava passed to Tanook Hines for six yards. Waymond Jordan ran for three yards. On fourth-and-one at the USC 22 with 56 seconds, USC called timeout to challenge the spot on the run play.
USC punted to the Indiana 34 and Ethan “Boobie” Feaster was called for catching interference.
Grant Wilson passed to Brock Schott for seven yards. Wilson’s pass was intercepted by Deven Bryant and the quarterback hobbled off the field after appearing to injure his ankle.
USC took over on its 40. Jayden Maiava passed to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for 51 yards. Waymond Jordan ran for two yards. Maiava passed to Zacharyus Williams for a seven-yard touchdown. Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.
USC kicked off and Indiana returned it to the 29. Lee Beebe Jr. ran for two yards and time expired in the first half.
- Share via
USC defense limits Indiana to field goal after pick
No. 9 Indiana 10, No. 18 USC 3, 1:48 left in the second quarter
Indiana started on the USC 32 after the USC interception.
The Hoosiers tried a flea flicker, but Grant Wilson was sacked for a loss of three yards. Wilson ran for one yard. On third-and-12, Lee Beebe Jr. ran for 15 yards. Beebe ran for five yards. Beebe ran for six yards. Beebe ran for three yards and a two-minute timeout was triggered. On second-and-goal at the five, Wilson tossed the ball out of bounds. Beebe ran for two yards.
USC called timeout.
Nico Radicic hit a 21-yard field goal.
- Share via
Jayden Maiava tosses an interception
No. 9 Indiana 7, No. 18 USC 3, 5:38 left in the second quarter
USC started on its 25 after the missed field goal.
Jayden Maiava heaved the ball out bounds to avoid a sack. King Miller ran for three yards. Maiava was under pressure and his downfield heave intended for Trent Mosley was intercepted by Preston Zachman.
- Share via
Indiana drive thwarted by penalties ends with missed field goal
No. 9 Indiana 7, No. 18 USC 3, 6:30 left in the second quarter
Indiana started on its 11. Grant Wilson passed to Nick Marsh for one yard. Wilson’s pass intended for Marsh sailed high and out of bounds. On third-and-nine, Wilson passed to Marsh for 65 yards.
On first down on the USC 23, Indiana was called for a false start. Lee Beebe Jr. ran for four yards. Wilson passed to Charlie Becker for a 24-yard touchdown, but the Hoosiers were called for an illegal substitution and the score was erased. Wilson ran for three yards. Wilson’s pass intended for Shazz Preston sailed out of bounds
Nico Raddichich missed a 44-yard field goal wide left.
- Share via
USC offense stalls again and punts
No. 9 Indiana 7, No. 18 USC 3, 9:42 left in the second quarter
USC started on its nine-yard line after the punt.
Jayden Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for nine yards. Waymond Jordan ran for seven yards. Maiava passed to Ethan “Boobie” Feaster for five yards. Maiava tossed two incomplete passes.
USC’s Lachlan Carrigan punted and it rolled out of bounds at the Indiana 11.
- Share via
USC defense forces Indiana punt, but Trojans called for penalty on return
No. 9 Indiana 7, No. 18 USC 3, 11:31 left in the second quarter
Indiana started on its 21 after the punt.
Khobie Martin ran for a loss of one yard. Grant Wilson ran for two yards. Wilson passed to Nick Marsh for two yards.
Indiana punted and Trent Mosley returned it nine yards to the USC 34. USC’s Ryan O’Connell was called for an illegal blindside block, pushing the Trojans back to the USC 9.
- Share via
Penalty hinders another short USC drive
No. 9 Indiana 7, No. 18 USC 3, 13:19 left in the second quarter
USC 41 started on its 21 after the punt return.
Jayden Maiava passed to King Miller for two yards. Maiava tossed an incomplete pass and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt was called for offensive pass interference on the play. Maiava passe to Mark Bowman for three yards. Maiava passed to Trent Mosley for no gain.
Charley Becker punted to the Indiana 21.
- Share via
USC defense forces quick punt
No. 9 Indiana 7, No. 18 USC 3, end of first quarter
Indiana started on its 21 after a 13-yard kickoff return.
Grant Wilson passed to Trevor Gibbs for 10 yards. Khobie Martin ran for one yard. Wilson’s arm was hit by Braylan Shelby as he tossed an incomplete pass. Wilson was sacked for a loss of nine yards by Jakheem Stewart and Jide Abasiri.
Indiana punted and Trent Mosley returned it two yards to the USC 41 as time expired in the first quarter.
- Share via
USC struggles in red zone, settles for field goal
No. 9 Indiana 7, No. 18 USC 3, 2:03 left in first quarter
USC started on its 25 after the touchback.
Jayden Maiava passed to Tanook Hines for eight yards. Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for 10 yards. He fumbled and Waymond Jordan recovered it. Jordan ran for seven yards. Maiava passed to Trent Mosley for 11 yards. The officials gave Indiana a sideline warning. Maiava option passed to King Miller for six yards. Maiava passed to Mosley for a loss of one yard. On third-and-five, Maiava’s pass intended for Bowman sailed high. Indiana was called for roughing the passer, giving USC 15 yards and a first down. Maiava passed to Jordan for eight yards. Miller ran for two yards. Jordan ran for one yard. Jordan ran for a loss of four yards. On third-and-goal at the 12, Maiava passed to Bowman but it was off target and fell incomplete.
Caden Chittenden hit a 29-yard field goal.
- Share via
Indiana scores on its first drive
No. 9 Indiana 7, No. 18 USC 0, 8:21 left in first quarter
Indiana started on its 35 after the missed USC field goal.
Backup Grant Wilson started at quarterback for Indiana. Wilson’s deep pass intended for Nick Marsh was incomplete. Lee Beebe Jr. fumble and recovered the ball under pressure from Luke Wafle, gaining four yards. Wilson passed to Shazz Preston, who brushed off one tackle and gained 47 yards. Grant’s pass to Preston in the end zone was nearly intercepted by Alex Graham. Khobie Martin ran for one yard. Wilson passed to Brock Schott across the middle for a 13-yard touchdown.
Indiana hit the extra point.
- Share via
USC misses field goal on opening drive
No. 18 USC 0, No. 9 Indiana 0, 10:42 left in first quarter
Indiana won the coin toss and deferred.
USC started on its 25 after the touchback.
King Miller ran for five yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for eight yards. Miller ran for six yards. Waymond Jordan ran for six yards. Illinois was called for illegal substitution on the next play. USC’s Taniela Tupou was called for a false start. Maiava passed to Trent Mosley for 19 yards. Waymond Jordan ran for is yards. Maiava passed to Miller but USC was called for holding. Miller ran for one yard. Maiava tossed an incomplete pass intended for Mosley.
Ryon Sayeri missed a 51-yard field goal, with his attempt doinking off the left post.
- Share via
USC faces another mystery at quarterback heading into showdown with Indiana
Lincoln Riley can’t tell you for sure who will be at quarterback for Indiana when USC meets the defending national champion on Saturday. And Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has kept things pretty close to the vest, not indicating whether it’ll be Josh Hoover, the usual starter, or Grant Wilson, the seventh-year backup.
“We could spend our time speculating back and forth who it’s going to be,” Riley said this week. “I doubt we’re going to see some radically different offense based on who the quarterback is.”
His calm comes from the fact that under-center uncertainty is nothing new for No. 18 USC. Riley has spent pretty much the entire season preparing for opponents racked by quarterback questions.
- Share via
UCLA, USC pleased as College Football Playoff expands to 24 teams beginning next season
GRAPEVINE, Texas — UCLA and USC scored a win on Monday in their constant fight for respect in the college football rankings that dictate a path to a national championship.
The Bruins and Trojans rarely are ranked as high as other programs with comparable records, especially those from the Southeastern Conference, in the early College Football Playoff national rankings. Short of going undefeated, USC and UCLA faced limited opportunities to get into what was once a four-team playoff and later expanded to 12 teams. Neither the Trojans nor Bruins have ever made the cut.
Starting next season, the College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams, a field so deep that this year’s Bruins and Trojans would be assured spots in the lucrative postseason tournament.
The Big Ten, the conference the Bruins and Trojans joined in 2024 for more revenue and championship opportunities, lobbied for this sweeping change.
- Share via
USC aims to prove it learned from past mistakes entering high stakes game at Indiana
After USC’s bye earlier this season, the Trojans flopped.
They lost 24-7 to unranked Wisconsin. Quarterback Jayden Maiava passed for 257 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. USC’s rushing game was held to minus-18 yards, while the offense averaged 3.2 yards per play.
The experience changed the way coach Lincoln Riley approached the team’s second bye week leading into No. 18 USC’s big game at No. 9 Indiana (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) on Saturday. If the Trojans (7-2, 4-2) win, they keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. A loss would eliminate USC from playoff contention.
- Share via
Commentary: Lincoln Riley answers his critics with USC statement win, but he must keep delivering
Credit to Lincoln Riley. USC’s embattled football coach stood and stared directly at what could have been the death knell for his Trojans tenure and said: Not today.
Actually, he said more than that after his unranked Trojans upset No. 2 Ohio State, 30-18 on Saturday.
He had a whole statement prepared to read at the end of his postgame news conference.
“I got one other thing I want to say here,” said Riley, whose victory kept alive the Trojans’ hopes of making the College Football Playoff for the first time on his watch. “I want to make sure to articulate my thoughts.
- Share via
Times of Troy: USC has a serious shot to make the CFP
Welcome back to the Times of Troy newsletter, where USC and its playoff hopes were battered, bruised and left for dead at various points of this college football season. And yet, in spite of it all, the Trojans are still very much alive in their pursuit of their first College Football Playoff bid.
Now, let’s be clear: the odds of USC actually making the playoff are still pretty long at this point. USC needs to win all three of its remaining games, two of which are against top-six teams. This week, it’ll have to beat the defending national champions on their own field. As of Sunday, DraftKings put the Trojans’ chances of sneaking into the playoff at 20%.
