No. 6 Indiana (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) delivered a decisive 27-13 victory over No. 15 USC (7-3, 4-3) in Bloomington, solidifying their College Football Playoff resume after a recent dip in the rankings. Quarterback Grant Wilson, starting in place of Josh Hoover, threw two touchdown passes in his debut, leading the Hoosiers to their third straight win since the loss to Ohio State. The pivotal moment came with 2:39 remaining in the third quarter when running back Khobie Martin scored on a 1-yard run, extending the lead to 20-13. Later in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Charlie Becker sealed the game with a 42-yard touchdown catch, making the final score 27-13.
Hoosiers secure crucial Big Ten win with late interceptions and dominant defense
USC’s offensive struggles were compounded by a shaky performance from quarterback Jayden Maiava, who was 26 of 42 for 311 yards and one touchdown but was intercepted three times. The Trojans managed only one touchdown in five red-zone trips, failing to capitalize on critical opportunities. Two late interceptions in the fourth quarter, one of which occurred inside the Hoosier 10-yard line, effectively killed any remaining USC playoff and Big Ten title hopes. Indiana’s defense, particularly in the fourth quarter, proved to be the difference-maker in a high-stakes conference matchup.
For Indiana, the win is a significant boost to their CFP standing, currently at No. 9. Coach Curt Cignetti noted that while Hoover was healthy, the decision to start Wilson was strategic, and Wilson’s up-and-down performance—17 of 27 for 305 yards—was enough to secure the result. On the ground, Lee Beebe Jr. contributed 71 yards on 16 carries, while Martin added 70 yards on 10 carries. The Hoosiers now look to maintain their momentum as they aim to climb back up the playoff rankings, while USC faces a steep challenge in keeping their postseason dreams alive.
Source: Yahoo Sports
