Illinois beats USC 34-32 on walk-off field goal

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois won a wild Big Ten matchup on Saturday, with kicker David Olano nailing a 41-yard field goal as time expired to lift the No. 23 Fighting Illini to a 34-32 victory over No. 21 Southern California at Gies Memorial Stadium.

Quarterback Luke Altmyer led the decisive drive and finished 20-of-26 passing for 328 yards, with two touchdown passes. Altmyer also rushed for a score and caught a touchdown on a reverse, becoming the first Illinois quarterback since 1999 to record passing, rushing and receiving TDs in a game. Olano, a Naperville North graduate, delivered the game winner after Illinois covered 51 yards in eight plays following a late USC go-ahead score.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava rallied the Trojans with a late touchdown pass to Makai Lemon and a successful two-point conversion that gave USC its first lead, 32-31, with 1:55 remaining. Maiava finished 30-of-43 for 364 yards and two touchdown passes, both to Lemon. Lemon had a breakout performance with 11 catches for 151 yards and two fourth-quarter scores. Running back Waymond Jordan rushed 20 times for 94 yards and two touchdowns for USC.

The game featured several turnovers and momentum swings....