Home / Sports / Indiana Upsets USC, Boosts CFP Ranking
Indiana Upsets USC, Boosts CFP Ranking
15 Nov
Summary
- Grant Wilson secured his first win as Indiana's starting quarterback.
- The Hoosiers' defense was stingy, allowing only one touchdown in five red zone attempts.
- Indiana's win improved their resume for College Football Playoff rankings.
Indiana, ranked No. 5 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, secured a vital 27-13 victory over No. 14 USC on Saturday night. The win, achieved at Memorial Stadium, significantly bolstered the Hoosiers' resume.
Backup quarterback Grant Wilson, in his first start, guided Indiana to the win. He demonstrated flashes of explosiveness, connecting on long passes, though he also threw an interception before halftime. The Hoosiers' ground game remained a concern, showing inconsistency, especially in short-yardage situations.
The Indiana defense was a key factor, proving formidable in the red zone. They limited USC to just one touchdown on five attempts, forcing turnovers on downs and missed field goals. First-year freshman Jacob Savage delivered an impressive performance at linebacker, leading the team in tackles and contributing pressure on a key interception.
Special teams saw mixed results. While kicker Nico Radicic missed a crucial 44-yard field goal, punter Billy Gowers had a solid performance, successfully flipping field position and pinning USC deep in their own territory late in the game. The victory marked a significant step for the Hoosiers in their playoff aspirations.
