Skip to main content
Join Now
Team Avatar
USC

Kamari Ramsey update: Lincoln Riley explains surprising absence of USC DB vs. Illinois

Danby: Daniel Hager09/27/25DanielHagerOn3

USC redshirt junior safety Kamari Ramsey was notably absent from Saturday afternoon’s Big Ten clash against Illinois. The Trojans fell victim to a last-second field goal, resulting in 34-32 road loss to the Illini.

Postgame, USC head coach Lincoln Riley revealed that Ramsey missed the game because he had food poisoning. Through four games this season, Ramsey had recorded seven tackles and one pass deflection.

For the third time in four seasons, head coach Lincoln Riley led USC to a 4-0 record to open the season. The Trojans, now ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll, had been absolutely dominant through those four games. They were outscoring opponents 210-81 and boasted the nation’s third-best offense (583.8 YPG).

USC opened Big Ten play with a 2-0 record, although those wins have come against teams that did not make a bowl game last season (Purdue and Michigan State). That luck, however, came to an end on Saturday against Illinois.

The Trojans fell behind 24-10 with 6:59 remaining in the third quarter, but never gave up. Running back Waymond Jordan found the end zone on a two-yard rushing touchdown to cut the game back to seven, but the Illini quickly responded to draw the game back out to 14 points.

USC‘s quarterback Jayden Maiava and wide receiver Makai Lemon completely took over the fourth quarter however, as Maiava found Lemon for a 19-yard score (capped off by a two-point conversion) and a 16-yard score to take a 32-31 lead with just 1:55 remaining. The Illini however drove the length of the field and kicked a game-winning field goal with no time remaining, avenging last weekend’s blowout loss to Indiana.

With USC being on a bye next week, Ramsey should be more than able to return for the Trojans’ Oct. 11 clash against Michigan.