CHAMPAIGN — No. 21 USC ran head-first into a No. 23 Illinois team that was more than eager to bounce back from a 50-point loss.
Illinois’ David Olano kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired to secure the 34-32 Big Ten victory over the Trojans on Saturday
It appeared bleak as USC was behind 31-25 with 6:21 remaining when linebacker Eric Gentry forced an Illinois fumble in the red zone – the Fighting Illini’s second of the game – with the ball bouncing into the end zone and recovered by the Trojans.
They chugged down the field and capitalized on the strong bond between quarterback Jayden Maiava and wide receiver Makai Lemon. The duo hooked up for a 16-yard strike in the back left corner of the end zone to tie the game and Ryon Sayeri converted the extra point for the Trojans’ first an