USC and Illinois Battle to Tie in Thrilling First Quarter

CHAMPAIGN, Illinois — The No. 21 USC Trojans fought to a 7-7 tie with the No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini at the end of the first quarter in their highly anticipated Big Ten matchup on Saturday. The game is being held at Gies Memorial Stadium.

Illinois struck first with a 12-yard touchdown run from quarterback Luke Altmyer, capping a drive that started on their own 30-yard line. The Illini took advantage of a turnover from USC to score, helped by a personal foul on the Trojans that advanced the ball to the red zone.

USC responded with a scoring drive of their own, thanks to running back Waymond Jordan, who scored on a one-yard rush. His performance included multiple strong runs that helped the Trojans travel 75 yards on their last possession.

Jayden Maiava, USC’s quarterback, completed six of nine passes for 73 yards in the quarter. Meanwhile, Illinois’s Altmyer completed four of six passes for 29 yards, showcasing both teams’ offensive capabilities early in the game.

Illinois’s defense, led by linebacker Matthew Bailey, recorded four tackles in the quarter, contributing to their pressure on the Trojan offense. The Illini are looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Indiana last week, while USC aims to maintain their undefeated record.

As the second quarter begins, both teams are eager to establish their dominance in this critical matchup, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling continuation of play.