Three interceptions from quarterback Jayden Maiava and a missed chip-shot field goal handed the No. 18 USC Trojans a damaging 27-13 road defeat to the No. 9 Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The loss shakes up USC’s pursuit of a Big Ten Championship Game appearance and severely alters their College Football Playoff hopes, leaving the program with three losses on the season while conference rivals Ohio State and Oregon secured victories.
USC Trojans On SI reported that head coach Lincoln Riley once again faced intense questions from reporters postgame following the performance in Bloomington, Indiana.
“Very, very disappointed with the loss. We prepped really well coming into this game, and I thought all sides of the ball had some very positive moments. But ultimately, we made too many mistakes in this game,” Riley said.
The game slipped away through a combination of red-zone inefficiency, special teams miscues, and crucial turnovers. Trojans placekicker Caden Chittenden missed a field goal from less than 30 yards, while Maiava tossed two of his three interceptions during the fourth quarter.
“Most of the ones I just mentioned. We dropped, what, four interceptions? Three were no-doubters. Turnovers are obviously massive. We moved the ball. And I don’t know if anyone has moved the ball like that on this defense in two years,” Riley told USC Trojans On SI.
Despite racking up yardage against a stout Indiana defense, the Trojans managed just 13 points. Riley admitted that his coaching staff shared the blame for the stalled drives and failed execution near the goal line.
“At the end of the day, disappointed to move the ball that good and have 13 points, very disappointing,” Riley continued in his remarks to USC Trojans On SI.
The defeat drops USC deeper into the conference standings as the final weeks of the regular season unfold. Riley acknowledged the mounting pressure and the program’s immediate need to correct persistent late-game execution issues.
“We’ve come a long way as a program. But obviously we have a little ways to go. And closing out games like that is what you’ve got to do to be the best,” Riley said to USC Trojans On SI.
Earlier coverage: Indiana Tops USC 27-13 Behind Defensive Performance and Big Plays
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