Sports
Grant Wilson throws two touchdowns in his first start as No. 6 Indiana beats No. 15 USC 27-13
The seventh-year quarterback threw for 305 yards and two late interceptions sealed it as the defending champs kept their playoff hopes rolling.
Grant Wilson came back for a seventh college season to chase a second national title. On Saturday he kept that dream alive.
Wilson threw two touchdown passes in his first start for No. 6 Indiana as the Hoosiers beat No. 15 USC 27-13 in Bloomington. Two interceptions late in the fourth quarter helped close it out.
Wilson, who played at Fordham and Old Dominion before Indiana, called it "such a blessing to be here with these fans and these players."
A surprise starter
Wilson took over for an injured Josh Hoover at halftime two weeks ago and led a comeback overtime win over Minnesota. Coach Curt Cignetti decided to start Wilson after that game while Hoover kept healing from a right shoulder injury.
Hoover appeared healthy and available Saturday, but Cignetti stuck with Wilson. He did not say who would start next week.
Cignetti said Wilson "left some out there on the field" but also made some good plays. "Now we'll figure out where we are and move forward," he said.
Wilson finished 17 of 27 for 305 yards with one interception. He hit Shazz Peterson for 47 yards on the third play of the game, then found Brock Schott for a 13-yard touchdown.
Breaking the tie
The game was tied at 13 late in the third quarter. Khobie Martin had a 38-yard touchdown run taken away by replay, which put the ball inside the USC 1. He scored on the very next play with 2:39 left in the quarter.
Wilson then hit Charlie Becker for a 42-yard touchdown with 3:30 left to make it 27-13.
Red zone woes for USC
Jayden Maiava threw for 311 yards and a touchdown for the Trojans, but he was picked off three times. Two of those came in the fourth quarter, including one inside the Indiana 5. Trent Mosley caught nine passes for 130 yards.
USC scored just one touchdown on five trips inside the red zone and also missed two field goals.
"The red-zone (interception), that one really hurt us," coach Lincoln Riley said.
What it means
Indiana is now 9-1 and 6-1 in the Big Ten. It was the Hoosiers' first win over a Top 25 team this season. It came after they slid five spots to No. 9 in this week's playoff rankings.
USC fell to 7-3 and 4-3, which likely ends its Big Ten title hopes. Indiana plays at Washington next Saturday, while USC hosts Maryland.
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