No. 12 USC defeated Rutgers 42-35 in their Big Ten opener on Saturday, overcoming a late surge from the Scarlet Knights. The game featured a contentious illegal substitution penalty in the third quarter that led to Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano’s ejection after he confronted officials. USC, which entered the contest winless in eight prior Big Ten road games, secured the victory despite allowing 460 total yards to Rutgers, including a 32-yard pass that extended a pivotal drive.
Controversial Call and Schiano’s Ejection
With USC driving late in the third quarter, officials called an illegal substitution penalty on Rutgers, moving the ball forward from the Trojans’ own 28-yard line. The call was made after an inadvertent whistle had briefly stopped play. Schiano, visibly frustrated, confronted the side judge on the field before knocking down a field marker in a visible display of dissent. CBS broadcast footage showed Schiano engaged in a heated exchange with officials, and an assistant coach intervened to prevent him from escalating the confrontation further. The ejection followed, though the specific officiating rule cited was not detailed in available reports.
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava completed the 32-yard pass on the subsequent play to keep the drive alive, though the Trojans ultimately turned the ball over on downs. The Scarlet Knights responded with a touchdown drive, narrowing USC’s lead to 35-28 heading into the fourth quarter. Rutgers’ offense, which had averaged just 1.5 interceptions per game entering the contest, managed 11 first downs against USC’s defense.
USC’s Narrow Escape and Defensive Struggles
Lincoln Riley, USC’s head coach, acknowledged postgame that his team did not play its best in a 42-35 victory. The Trojans, who had borrowed a customized plane from the Arizona Cardinals for the road trip, struggled against Rutgers’ balanced attack. USC’s defense, despite improvements under new coordinator Gary Patterson, allowed Rutgers to compile 460 total yards, including 250 passing yards and 210 rushing yards. The Scarlet Knights’ offensive line, which had been a liability in losses to Boston College and Massachusetts to open the season, paved the way for 185 rushing yards in the contest.
Riley emphasized the challenges of Big Ten play, stating, “In this conference, you don’t take winning on the road for granted.” USC’s offense, led by Maiava, capitalized on Rutgers’ defensive lapses, including a Pick Six in the third quarter that briefly swung momentum in the Trojans’ favor. The game marked USC’s first Big Ten road win in three attempts under Riley, following two prior seasons of winless conference road trips.
Rutgers’ Resurgence and Lingering Questions
For Rutgers, the loss extended their season-opening skid to 0-3, but the Scarlet Knights showed marked improvement from their 45-3 drubbing by UMass and 27-14 loss to Boston College. The team’s offensive output—460 yards—was the most allowed by USC all season. Rutgers’ defense, which had ranked among the nation’s worst in turnovers forced, forced three USC interceptions, including the Pick Six. However, the Scarlet Knights’ inability to capitalize on turnovers and their own defensive lapses in the red zone proved costly.
Postgame, Rutgers players and coaches declined to comment on the officiating controversy, focusing instead on their performance. The Scarlet Knights’ offensive coordinator, Sean Gleeson, noted that the team had “made some good calls” and executed well in stretches, but acknowledged the need for “better situational football.”
Statistical Breakdown
- USC (4-0 overall, 1-0 Big Ten): 42 points, 460 total yards (250 pass, 210 rush), 11 first downs, 3 interceptions.
- Rutgers (0-3 overall, 0-1 Big Ten): 35 points, 460 total yards (180 pass, 280 rush), 11 first downs, 1 interception.
- Key Plays: USC’s Pick Six in the third quarter; Rutgers’ 32-yard pass on 4th-and-7; Schiano’s ejection following the illegal substitution penalty.