CHAMPAIGN — Illinois almost gave away the game Saturday, but USC gave the Illini a chance to take it back.
After blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, Illinois benefitted from a quick Trojans touchdown after the two-minute timeout and drove the field to set up David Olano’s 41-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the No. 23 Illini to a 34-32 victory over No. 21 USC.
Illinois coach Bret Bielema was confident that quarterback Luke Altmyer would respond after the Trojans grabbed the lead.
“I turned around and looked at Luke before our final drive,” Bielema said. “He gave me a head nod. That’s all I needed to see.”
Olano, a Naperville North product, said he wasn’t nervous before the final play.
“It was a dream come true, but it was just another kick. Something we work on all the time,” he said. “I know I kicked the winning field goal, but it’s the guys in the locker room who really won the game.”
Altmyer was 20-for-26 passing for 328 yards, helping Illinois bounce back from a 63-10 loss last Saturday at Indiana. He threw for two touchdowns, rushed for another score and caught a touchdown pass, becoming the first player to record a rushing, receiving, and passing touchdown in a Big Ten game since 2011 (Vincent Smith, Michigan).
The Illini (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) opened a 31-17 lead early in the fourth quarter. But USC (4-1, 2-1) went ahead for the first time on Jayden Maiava’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Makai Lemon with 1:55 left. Rather than take more time off the clock, Trojans coach Lincoln Riley went for the quick score. He was happy about his team’s rally, but not much else.
“We showed a lot of fight coming back to take the lead, but the reality is we squandered too many opportunities on both sides of the ball,” he said.
The Illini then drove 51 yards in eight plays to set up Olano’s winning kick.
Maiava was 30-for-43 for 364 yards with his first interception of the season and two touchdowns — both to Lemon, who caught 11 passes for 151 yards. Waymond Jordan rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns for the Trojans.
Altmyer threw touchdown passes to Kaden Feagin and Justin Bowick. He caught a touchdown pass from Hank Beatty, who has passed for a touchdown, caught a touchdown pass, rushed for a touchdown and scored on a punt return this season.
The game didn’t have to be so close. Late in the first half, Feagin fumbled at the 1-yard line, leading to a Trojans field goal. In the fourth quarter, Ca’Lil Valentine fumbled inside the 5-yard line, leading to the Trojans’ go-ahead touchdown.
Otherwise, the Illini ran the ball well, rushing for 171 yards after totaling two at Indiana. They also allowed only two sacks after surrendering seven to the Hoosiers.