No. 9 Indiana Defeats No. 18 USC 27-13
No. 9 Indiana defeated No. 18 USC 27-13 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, with quarterback Grant Wilson throwing for 305 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, 247Sports reported.
The Hoosiers moved to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in conference play on a 50-degree November Saturday in Bloomington. USC dropped to 7-3 overall and 4-3 in the conference following the loss.
Indiana won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. USC drove deep on its opening possession before Ryon Sayeri missed a 51-yard field goal off the left crossbar.
Wilson answered by connecting with Shazz Preston for a 47-yard gain. Three plays later, Wilson found tight end Brock Schott for a 13-yard touchdown to give Indiana a 7-0 lead with 8:18 left in the first quarter.
USC responded with a drive aided by a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty against Byron Baldwin. The Hoosiers held firm, forcing a 29-yard Caden Chittendon field goal.
Indiana’s offense stalled before Wilson hit Nick Marsh for 65 yards down the middle of the field. After a Charlie Becker touchdown was nullified by an illegal player downfield penalty, Nico Radicic missed a 44-yard field goal attempt wide to the left.
Preston Zachman intercepted a Jayden Maiava pass on the ensuing series. Lee Beebe Jr. carried five times to the 3-yard line, setting up a short Radicic field goal that pushed Indiana ahead 10-3 with 105 seconds remaining before halftime.
USC tied the game before the break. Maiava connected with Zacharyus Williams for a 7-yard touchdown with 21 seconds left in the half.
Indiana reclaimed the lead in the third quarter after reaching the USC 5-yard line before settling for another Radicic field goal to make it 13-10 with 10:02 remaining. USC tied the game again at 13-13 on a 25-yard Chittendon field goal.
Khobie Martin broke through the USC front with a 38-yard run down to the half-yard line, then punched in a touchdown on the next play to put the Hoosiers up 20-13 with 2.39 left in the third.
Jacob Savage tipped a Maiava pass on third down, and officials waved off a pass interference penalty after review. USC missed the ensuing 27-yard field goal.
Indiana’s defense shut down late USC threats, including an interception by Isaiah Jones at the 6-line with 6:35 remaining. Wilson then threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Becker on third-and-three, extending the lead to 27-13 with 3:30 left on the clock.
Jamari Sharpe intercepted Maiava with 2:24 remaining to seal the outcome. Martin finished with 82 rushing yards, and Beebe added 71 yards on the ground.
Indiana heads to Washington next week for a game against the Huskies.