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Kilian O'Connor injury update: USC center goes to locker room against Illinois

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney09/27/25ErikTMcKinney
USC center Kilian O'Connor
USC center Kilian O'Connor (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

The USC Trojans are down another starter as they take on the Illinois Fighting Illini. Center Kilian O’Connor went down during the second quarter with an apparent left leg injury and went to the locker room. He walked off the field under his own power but has not returned to the game.

O’Connor is a former walk on who started USC’s bowl game last year and earned a scholarshipand an eventual sta

Backup center J’Onre Reed went into the game for O’Connor and was almost immediately involved in a critical play. USC ran a trick play out of the Wildcat that saw quarterback Jayden Maiava eventually hit wide receiver Makai Lemon for what looked like a 75-yard touchdown. But Reed was flagged for an ineligible man downfield and the touchdown came off the board. USC eventually turned the ball over on downs.

USC is down a number of starters in this game. Starting left tackle Elijah Paige did not dress for the game after suffering an injury against Michigan State last week. Starting safety and team captain Kamari Ramsey is not dressed due to illness. Starting wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane is dressed and appeared for a goal line play, but hasn’t caught a pass or been targeted through virtually the entire first half.

USC has struggled on both sides of the ball against Illinois and is down 14-7 late in the second half.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz