This article was updated with quotes on Nov. 14, 2026 at 5:47 p.m.
No. 18 USC faced No. 9 Indiana, looking to strengthen their chances of making the College Football Playoffs at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind on Saturday, Nov. 14. Instead, the Trojans fell 13-27 due to costly turnovers and a multitude of missed scoring opportunities, exposing their inconsistencies as a team.
The Hoosiers entered this matchup with strong defensive capabilities, allowing just 12.4 points per game and ranked second in the Big Ten. The Trojans tried to establish a run game with their running back duo senior Waymond Jordan and redshirt sophomore King Miller, who combined finished rushing for a total of 98 yards. Indiana’s defensive pressure proved to be a challenge for them, redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava and the rest of the Trojan offense.
USC’s struggles became evident early, as penalties stalled their opening possession, resulting in a missed 51-yard field goal from redshirt sophomore kicker Ryon Sayeri. Despite scoring a touchdown and effectively moving the ball downfield into Indiana territory multiple times, three interceptions and two missed field goals prevented USC from capitalizing on promising possessions where points could have been added to the board.
“We were right there close tonight, this game came down to a couple of plays, and we did a good job putting ourselves there [red zone] but we gotta go shut the door, and we understand that,” head coach Lincoln Riley said post-game.
Maiavas’s first interception came in the second quarter on a pass intended for freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley, who finished with 130 receiving yards and no touchdowns. Maiava finished with 311 yards, completing 26 of 42 attempts, while there wasn’t much production through the air.
USC’s defense was able to deliver when redshirt junior linebacker Deven Bryant intercepted Indiana’s backup quarterback, seventh-year Grant Wilson, with 44 seconds left in the first half, setting the Trojans up for their only touchdown. Maiava had a 51-yard completion to freshman wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, followed by a 7-yard touchdown to redshirt sophomore Zacharyus Williams, tying the game 10-10 at halftime.
This late offensive response highlighted USC’s explosive offensive potential, but their inconsistency in completing drives and settling for field goals themselves remained a concern throughout the rest of the game.
Early in the second half, USC’s offense failed to make production after making it into the red zone and settled for a field goal of their own, extending the game tie to 13-13.
Beyond offensive insufficiency from the Trojans, the defense also came up short. With only two sacks and two turnovers, there was opportunity for more, with incomplete passes from Wilson that slipped past USC redshirt senior cornerback Jontez Williams’ hands a few times.
“Ultimately, we made too many mistakes in this game,” Riley said. “Some of the penalties, missed opportunities in the red zone, dropped interceptions, we had some real opportunities to go win this game.”
USC’s inability to capitalize in the red zone became even more apparent and costly in the fourth quarter, after moving inside to the 10-yard line, the Trojans failed to make it inside the end zone, resulting in the second missed field goal from redshirt sophomore kicker Caden Chittenden.
And after making it inside the red zone for a second time in the fourth quarter, Maiava threw his second interception, ending an 82-yard drive without any points. The Hoosiers capitalized on the turnover, moving the ball 93 yards before Wilson connected with junior wide receiver Charlie Becker for a 42-yard diving touchdown, extending the lead to 27-13.
On USC’s final possession of the game, Maiava’s third interception eliminated any chance of a comeback.
The Trojans were able to withstand the Hoosiers’ defense and move the ball downfield into Indiana territory, but their inability to actually drive the ball into the end zone ultimately failed them. USC moves to 7-3 overall and 4-3 in Big Ten play. They are 1-8 against ranked opponents on the road under Riley and picked up their second loss after a bye week this season.
“Hard-fought game, I give USC a lot of credit, it was a back-and-forth game,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said post-game.
USC had a 40% chance of making it to the college playoffs if they won against No.9 Indiana. Defeating a ranked opponent would have potentially moved them up in the official college playoff rankings as well. But their inconsistencies Saturday on offense lowered those chances to three percent according to A to Z Sports.
The Trojans return to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 21 to face Maryland Terrapins at 3:15 p.m. PST.
Edited by Sammie Vassallo and Adriana Brady