Saturday’s game between Illinois and USC was everything and then some.
Illinois was up for most of the game and almost gave it away in the fourth quarter when running back Ca’Lil Valentine fumbled the ball into the endzone with a chance to go up by two scores.
USC recovered the ball for a touchback and marched down the field to take a 32-31 lead, thanks to a great touchdown pass from Jayden Maiava and an even better catch from wide receiver Makai Lemon. Lemon was the Trojans’ MVP, finishing with 11 receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
The Trojans needed a stop on the ensuing drive, but couldn’t get one, resulting in Fighting Illini kicker David Olano making a game-winning 41-yard field goal as time expired. He gave the Trojans their first loss of the year after they got off to a 4-0 start.
After the Trojans’ loss, FS1’s Colin Cowherd tweeted his thoughts on the game and confirmed that the Fighting Illini deserved to win.
“USC made several big plays to keep it close and eventually take a lead, but game was mostly controlled by @IlliniFootball. They absolutely deserved to win,” Cowherd tweeted.
This was one of the best games of the early window and could be a preview for what’s to come in the late-afternoon and evening windows.
Gus Johnson went crazy during Ca’Lil Valentine’s fumble
Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt were on the call for this game on FOX, and Johnson met the moment when Valentine fumbled into the end zone. His voice cracked a couple of times before delivering “Holy Chicago” once USC recovered the fumble.
He also gave a great call when Olano hit the game-winning kick for Illinois as time expired. College football fans are usually mixed on Johnson, but he knows how to get amped in big moments.
USC’s schedule is about to get even harder
USC’s matchup against Illinois is just the start of a really tough stretch during the program’s schedule. USC will have its bye week next week (October 4) before hosting Michigan on October 11.
It might get even tougher on October 18 when USC travels to South Bend to take on rival Notre Dame. Notre Dame is coming off a dominant 56-13 win over Arkansas on Saturday and is now 2-2 on the season after losing its first two games against Miami and Texas A&M.
A trip to Lincoln, Nebraska, looms for USC after these two games on October 21. Even though Nebraska is unranked right now, Memorial Stadium is still a tough place to play for opposing teams.
Colin Cowherd Gives His Take on Crazy USC-Illinois Game