Grant Wilson passed for 305 yards and two touchdowns to help No. 9 Indiana defeat No. 18 USC 27-13 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.
The win moves the Hoosiers to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in Big Ten play, strengthening their position for a berth in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Indiana entered the afternoon with a 98 percent chance of making the playoff field, per Austin Mock’s projections.
USC dropped to 7-3 overall and 4-3 in conference play, effectively ending the Trojans’ playoff hopes following a loss to Indiana.
Isaiah Jones, one of the few remaining pre-Cignetti Hoosiers, with a huuuge play picking off Maiava at the goal line. Indiana still only up 7, not safe yet.
“And closing out games like that are what you gotta do to be the best,” said Lincoln Riley, USC coach.
Wilson Leads Offense in First Start
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti opted to start Wilson, a seventh-year quarterback who transferred from Old Dominion and Fordham, over Josh Hoover. Cignetti made the decision following the Hoosiers’ overtime win against Minnesota on October 31.
Wilson completed 17 of 27 passes for 305 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. His targets included Nick Marsh on a 65-yard reception and Shazz Preston on a 47-yard gain. With 3:30 left in the fourth quarter, Wilson connected with Charlie Becker on a 42-yard touchdown pass to secure the two-score lead.
“We took some shots there on the first drive, kind of set the tone for the game, got them to back up a little bit, play their shell, and then we got them to switch out of it,” Wilson said.
GRANT TO CHARLIE OH MY GOODNESS. 🤯#IUFB 27, USC 13 | 3:30 4Q pic.twitter.com/ZiRwayP8AY
For the first time in weeks, the Indiana passing game was set free. Turning to a reserve signal-caller whose previous start took place in the Sun Belt Conference aligns with the fairytale narrative of Indiana football throughout its remarkable 36–3 Cignetti era.
Wilson has been handed an extraordinary chance, and thus far he has maximized it completely, making his initial collegiate appearance under center in two years and his debut as a starter in a Power Four league.
BONES JONES SNAGS IT.#IUFB 20, USC 13 | 6:35 4Q pic.twitter.com/zKaszMBvrS
Prior to Saturday, the Hoosiers had failed to exceed 23 points in any of their previous four contests, only managing past the 20-point mark thanks to an extra period in Week 9 when defeating Minnesota 23-16. Those offensive hurdles heavily contributed to Indiana slipping from No. 5 to No. 9 in the second set of CFP rankings despite the Hoosiers sitting out Week 10.
The triumph brought IU within striking distance of securing a third consecutive College Football Playoff appearance while maintaining the Hoosiers’ driver’s seat status to face UCLA in the Big Ten title game this December in Indianapolis. Prior to Cignetti’s arrival in 2024, the Hoosiers had only reached the nine-win mark twice in their entire history, yet they have achieved it during every single year of the coach’s three-season tenure.
USC Struggled to Score Inside the Red Zone
USC generated 409 yards of total offense but struggled to capitalize inside the 20-yard line. The Trojans reached Indiana’s red zone five times, scoring only one touchdown. Two missed field goals and a fourth-quarter interception by Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones halted promising USC drives.
Leading 20-13 in the fourth quarter, Jones intercepted a pass from quarterback Jayden Maiava at the goal line. Indiana limited USC to 2-for-11 on third-down conversions.
Following Saturday’s defeat, the Trojans fell to 0-8 against ranked opponents away from Los Angeles during Riley’s tenure, while also securing at least three losses for the season. During Riley's five years as head coach, every USC squad has finished the season with at least three losses, highlighting the gap between the Trojans and Big Ten title contenders.
Martin and Beebe Jr. Powered the Hoosiers Rushing Attack
Martin rushed for 82 yards on 12 carries, including a 37-yard run that set up a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Lee Beebe Jr. added 71 yards on 16 rushes, combining with Martin to give the Hoosiers a powerful rushing tandem down the stretch.
“We were wearing on them and starting to run the ball well,” Cignetti said. “By the end, we pretty much had our way.”
Indiana travels to face Washington next week, while USC plays Maryland, OutKick reported.
Earlier coverage: Indiana Falls to No. 9 in CFP Rankings, Committee Says
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