Indiana kept its College Football Playoff hopes—and its title defense—alive Saturday with a 27-13 victory over USC in Bloomington.
The teams had met only five times before, but this game carried major playoff implications for both. USC arrived with a poor record on the road, while Indiana was without running back Turbo Richard, who was ruled out before kickoff.
Defense dominated much of the first half. Indiana opened the scoring when quarterback Grant Wilson connected with tight end Brock Schott for a touchdown. Both teams missed a field goal, then made one, leaving the Hoosiers ahead 10-7 with less than a minute before halftime.
USC got the ball back after Deven Bryant intercepted Wilson. Quarterback Jayden Maiava followed with a 51-yard pass to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, then found Zacharyus Williams for a seven-yard touchdown to tie the game.
The teams traded field goals early in the second half before Indiana took control with a five-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Khobie Martin scoring a touchdown.
USC moved downfield on its next possession, but Caden Chittenden missed a field goal that could have cut the deficit to four. He had entered the game after Ryon Sayeri missed an attempt on USC’s opening drive.
The Trojans had another chance in Indiana territory later in the fourth quarter, but Maiava threw an interception in the red zone. Indiana turned that mistake into a 93-yard scoring drive, with Charlie Becker catching a 42-yard touchdown pass.
USC’s final possession ended with another interception. Facing fourth-and-13, Maiava threw deep, and defensive back Jamari Sharpe came down with the ball.
The loss was USC’s third of the season, dealing a serious blow to its playoff hopes. Indiana improved to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in Big Ten play.
Indiana visits Washington next week. USC will try to rebound against Maryland.
