USC
4-1 , 2-1
Illinois
4-1 , 1-1
No. 21 USC Football Falls At No. 23 Illinois, 34-32
September 27, 2025 | Football
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Luke Altmyer drove Illinois to David Olano's 41-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the No. 23 Illini to a 34-32 victory over No. 21 USC Football on Saturday.
Altmyer was 20-for-26 passing for 328 yards, helping Illinois bounce back from last weekend's 63-10 loss at Indiana. He threw for two touchdowns, rushed for another score and caught a TD pass.
Illinois (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) opened a 31-17 lead early in the fourth quarter. But USC (4-1, 2-1) went ahead for the first time on Jayden Maiava's 16-yard touchdown pass to Makai Lemon with 1:55 left.
.@getabagkai's second TD gives us the LEAD ✌️
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) September 27, 2025
📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/4kbnpnz4V1
The Illini then drove 51 yards in eight plays to set up Olano's winning kick.
Maiava was 30 for 43 for 364 yards and two touchdowns - both to Lemon, who caught 11 passes for 151 yards. Waymond Jordan rushed for 94 yards and two TDs for the Trojans.
Altmyer threw TD passes to Kaden Feagin and Justin Bowick. He caught a touchdown pass from Hank Beatty.
Beatty has passed for a touchdown, caught a touchdown pass, rushed for a TD and scored on a punt return this season.
USC: The Trojans had not played a ranked team until facing Illinois. Their fourth-quarter comeback may be enough to keep them ranked.
Illinois: After falling 14 places in the AP poll following their embarrassing loss to the Hoosiers, the Illini are poised to move back up with the victory against the previously undefeated Trojans.
USC: Following a bye week, the Trojans host Michigan on Oct. 11.
Illinois: The Illini travel to Purdue on Oct. 4.
Team Stats
USC 0, ILL 7
ILL - Altmyer,Luke 12 yd run (Olano,David kick), 10 plays, 70 yards, TOP 05:00
USC 7, ILL 7
USC - Jordan,Waymond 1 yd run (Sayeri,Ryon kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:27
USC 7, ILL 14
ILL - Altmyer,Luke 3 yd pass from Beatty,Hank (Olano,David kick) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:33
USC 10, ILL 14
USC - Sayeri,Ryon 21 yd field goal 7 plays, 70 yards, TOP 00:47
USC 10, ILL 17
ILL - Olano,David 45 yd field goal 8 plays, 49 yards, TOP 03:26
USC 10, ILL 24
ILL - Feagin,Kaden 64 yd pass from Altmyer,Luke (Olano,David kick) 2 plays, 66 yards, TOP 00:45
USC 17, ILL 24
USC - Jordan,Waymond 2 yd run (Sayeri,Ryon kick), 11 plays, 81 yards, TOP 05:08
USC 17, ILL 31
ILL - Bowick,Justin 25 yd pass from Altmyer,Luke (Olano,David kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:12
USC 25, ILL 31
USC - Lemon,Makai 19 yd pass from Maiava,Jayden (Lemon,Makai pass) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:40
USC 32, ILL 31
USC - Lemon,Makai 16 yd pass from Maiava,Jayden (Sayeri,Ryon kick) 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 04:26
USC 32, ILL 34
ILL - Olano,David 41 yd field goal 8 plays, 51 yards, TOP 01:55
