USC’s College Football Playoff hopes effectively ended Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, where the Trojans fell 27-13 to Indiana and the frustration boiled over after the final whistle.
Trojans defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren and Hoosiers offensive lineman Bray Lynch exchanged heated words in a postgame confrontation that required teammates and coaches to step in. Head coach Lincoln Riley was caught on video physically restraining VanSumeren as the defensive tackle continued jawing with Lynch. The moment was captured by Indiana journalism student Elias Khoury.
Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover, who had lost his starting job to Grant Wilson for the game, moved in to pull Lynch away from the confrontation.
The scuffle capped a rough afternoon for Riley’s team. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava threw three interceptions, and the Trojans missed two field goals while converting just 2 of 11 third downs. Despite moving the ball against one of the nation’s toughest defenses, USC scored only one touchdown on five trips into the red zone.
The loss drops USC to 7-3 on the season, a result that effectively ends any realistic path to the College Football Playoff.
