LIVE: USC drops nailbiter to Illinois on game's final play, 34-32

USC left just enough time for Illinois to put together a game-winning field goal drive and kicker David Olano drills a 41-yarder with no time remaining. Illinois wins 34-32.

The USC Trojans take their first lead of the game with just 1:55 remaining as Maiava connect with Makai Lemon again in the endzone. Lemon has 11 receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns today. It’s 32-31 USC with 1:55 remaining in the game.

Illinois hits a 61-yard pass play and looks to be in position to put the game away, but USC linebacker Eric Gentry punches the ball out on the next play and the Trojans recover in the endzone. USC is going to have the ball at its own 20-yard line with 6:21 to play and down 31-25.

USC gets a must-have-it touchdown drive as Maiava connects with Makai Lemon on a 4th down play. Those two connected again for a two-point conversion after and now it’s Illinois 31, USC 25 with 9:54 to play.

USC defensive backs again can’t make a play in the secondary as Almyer hits wide receiver Justin Bowick for a wide open 29-yard touchdown. It’s 31-17 Illinois with 14:34 remaining in the game and the Illini have 375 yards of offense.

Running back Waymond Jordan scores on a two-yard run to cap a 10-play, 81-yard drive by the Trojans. The key play came on a huge third-down completion when Jayden Maiava lofted a perfect throw to Makai Lemon who made a tough catch while getting hit. USC cuts the Illinois lead to 24-17 with 1:46 remaining in the third quarter.

Altmyer finds Kaden Feagin on a screen pass and he does the rest on a 64-yard touchdown reception. It’s now 24-10 Illinois with 6:59 remaining in the third quarter.

USC can’t take advantage of the defensive stand as Jayden Maiava is off target with throws to Makai Lemon on both second and third down. The Trojans punt it back to the Illini, who take over at their own 34-yard line with 7:44 remaining in the third quarter.

The game’s first three-and-out is a huge series for the USC defense with the help of a false start penalty from Illinois. True freshman safety Dee Reddick is in tight coverage on a third-down incompletion by Altmyer. Illinois sends off the first punt of the game by either team and USC will take over at its own 20-yard line with 8:32 remaining in the third quarter.

Jayden Maiava throws his first interception of the season with USC driving on its first possession of the second half. Maiava was looking for Makai Lemon and just did not see linebacker Dylan Rosiek dropping into the passing lane. Illinois takes over at its own 36-yard line with 9:44 remaining in the third quarter, leading 17-10.

The Illinis go 49 yards in eight plays but settle for a field goal thanks to a first-down sack by DeCarlos Nicholson and a third-down incompletion by Luke Altmyer. It’s 17-10 Illinois with 11:34 remaining in the third quarter.

USC gets a 10-point swing as the Trojans cash in a field goal following that fumble. It’s 14-10 Illinois with just two seconds remaining in the first half.

Illinois was driving and knocking on the door of another touchdown but a fumble is recovered by Jahkeem Stewart and returned out to the 26-yard line. USC will take over with just 49 seconds left but avoid going into a two-score hole.

USC can’t pick up a fourth down with 4:37 remaining in the first half and Illinois will take over at its own 42-yard line.

USC can’t get out of its own way with regard to penalties today. Jayden Maiava hit Makai Lemon on a trick play for what should have been a 75-yard touchdown. But USC offensive lineman J’Onre Reed was downfield and the Trojans are hit with their sixth penalty of the day. Reed is playing due to an injury to starting center Kilian O’Connor.

Illinois finds the endzone with the Philly Special as they run a reverse throwback to quarterback Luke Altmyer for a touchdown. It’s 14-7 Illinois with 10:49 remaining in the second quarter.

Illinois was facing a key third-and-five after USC’s touchdown and the Trojans’ defense committed two penalties on the play. The offside was declined, while the pass interference was accepted. Illinois is still driving as the game moves to the second quarter

Running back Waymond Jordan plunges into the end zone from one yard out as USC evens things up 7-7 with 1:22 remaining in the first quarter.

USC wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane enters the game for the first time today, with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Illinois drives the ball 70 yards in 10 plays and quarterback Luke Altmyer rusn it in from 12 yards out. USC forced a fourth down on the drive but Illinois picked it up with a shovel pass. It’s 7-0 Illinois with 5:49 remaining in the first quarter.

USC was driving and Waymond Jordan lost the ball for a fumble on the Trojans’ opening possession. It was ripped out by Illinois linebacker Leon Lowery Jr.. Illinois recovered and will start at its own 30 yard line. That’s a huge turnover in a game like this when USC had a chance to score first and grab momentum.

Illinois won the toss and elected to defer. USC will receive the opening kick.

USC safety and game captain Kamari Ramsey was in full pads pregame but did not participate in the full team warmups. We’ll keep an eye on him when the teams come back out of the locker room. Ramsey was not listed on the availability report.

USC left tackle Elijah Paige is out and won’t play against Illinois. The entire team came out for stretching and Paige is not in pads.

Ja’Kobi Lane is on the field early with the USC special teams returners. He’s in full pads this week, which is different than what we saw from him last week.

USC offensive lineman Elijah Paige is listed as questionable for this one. He’s out early with the team and going through warmups, but does seem to be going through them a little lighter than the rest of the linemen. It would register as a bit of a surprise if he plays.

Lane is out early and jogging around the field. He’s warming up much more like someone who plans to play compared to last week against Michigan State, when he did not come out early and never did anything more than some light stretching.

USC has announced its team captains for the game. Quarterback Jayden Maiava and linebacker Eric Gentry appear to be season-long captains as they’ve been selected for all five games this season. Safety Kamari Ramsey, defensive tackle Devan Thompkins and long snapper Hank Pepper are also captains for this game and are multiple-time selections this season.

The Big Ten Availability Report is out and both wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane and offensive tackle Elijah Paige are listed as “questionable.”