Mistake-prone USC football falters in big moments of devastating setback

USC’s 27-13 defeat by Indiana dealt a likely fatal blow to the Trojans’ College Football Playoff hopes and renewed questions about coach Lincoln Riley’s future. A late interception by Indiana’s Isaiah Jones stopped USC’s chance to tie the game, and the No. 18 Trojans could not recover against the No. 9 Hoosiers.

USC fell to 7-3 overall and 4-3 in the Big Ten, converting just two of 11 third downs, missing two field goals and making several special-teams errors. Indiana improved to 9-1 and 6-1 as backup quarterback Grant Wilson passed for 305 yards and two touchdowns; his 42-yard touchdown pass with 3:30 remaining sealed the win. USC next hosts Maryland before ending its regular season against UCLA on 28 November.