Football
3 USC Trojans Illinois Football Must Lock Down
3 Trojans Illinois Football fans need to keep an eye on, as the Illini take on USC in Week 5.
Illinois Football enters Homecoming looking to reclaim its mojo in Week 5. After a deflating 63–10 blowout at Indiana, the 23rd-ranked Illini now face a pivotal showdown with No. 21 USC—a matchup that could reignite their momentum and keep their aspirations alive with a statement victory.
Conversely, another slow start out of the gates, followed by a frantic catch-up effort, could push Illinois further off course, forcing them to rediscover themselves as they navigate a challenging Big Ten slate. This game will test just how this veteran team responds under pressure and their resilience after a humbling loss in week 4.
The Trojans, led by QB Jayden Maiava, bring one of the nation’s most dynamic offenses to Champaign—a daunting challenge for a defense that gave up nearly 600 total yards to the Hoosiers last week. Through four games, Maiava leads the Big Ten in passing (6th nationally) with 1,223 yards, 9 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. With a nation-leading 95.5 QB rating, the Hawaiian native is undeniably dangerous. Illinois will rely on a banged-up secondary, missing its leader, Xavier Scott, to step up and keep Maiava and USC’s talented receivers in check.
That said, the Trojans’ threat doesn’t end with their quarterback.
We’ve broken down three key USC playmakers Illinois Football fans need to watch out for—who could potentially spoil Homecoming if the Illini don’t keep them under wraps.
USC Football. Lincoln Riley. Credit: USC Football on X. (@uscfb).
RB Waymond Jordan
If Illinois’ run defense isn’t sturdy from the jump, junior running back Waymond Jordan is a name fans will hear plenty of—and then won’t want to hear ever again.
Through USC’s first four games, Jordan has piled up 433 total yards rushing (an average of 108.3 per game) while averaging 7.8 yards per touch and scoring 3 times. Simply put, if he isn’t contained, he’s a potential game-changer, capable of breaking off explosive, chunk yardage runs and swinging momentum in an instant.
Coach Aaron Henry’s defense is allowing 124 rushing yards and 256 total yards per game so far. If the Fighting Illini front seven is slow to establish control in the trenches, USC’s offensive line could wear them down much like Indiana did last week.
Of course, Illinois’ offense has a hand in this as well. Luke Altmyer and company must once again sustain scoring drives that give their defense needed rest. They need to keep Jayden Maiava and the Trojans’ high-octane attack on the sideline….
WR Makai Lemon
With Xavier Scott out for the foreseeable future, it’s up to the rest of a battered Illini secondary to keep the lethal duo of Jayden Maiava and Makai Lemon under wraps—which is nerve-wracking, to say the least.
Coming off an 8-catch, 127-yard performance against Michigan State that earned him Paul Hornung Player of the Week honors, the speedy junior has now totaled 483 yards and 3 touchdowns on 24 receptions through USC’s first four games. At 18.3 yards per catch, Lemon is the type of go-to, big-play threat who can help Maiava dissect Illinois’ shorthanded secondary and put points on the board if the Illini depth doesn’t step up.
Lemon is a no-doubt NFL talent. If Illinois can’t contain Lemon downfield, the Trojans’ high-powered offense could have a field day on Saturday.
DE Brylan Shelby
Anyone who’s paid attention to Illinois Football knows exactly why this guy is a major concern.
Sitting near the top of the Big Ten with 3.5 sacks (tied for 2nd with Gabe Jacas), Brylan Shelby is a havoc-wreaking edge rusher who can put Illinois’ struggling offensive line on its heels and force Luke Altmyer into unnecessary sacks. After Bart Miller’s group surrendered five sacks last week in Bloomington, confidence in a veteran Illini front that returns all five starters from last season is at an unthinkable low at this stage of the season. With a quarterback as talented as Altmyer, keeping him not just healthy but confident is critical. If he can’t trust his protection, the senior gunslinger can’t perform at his peak.
Notably, this unit turned a corner late in 2024 after midseason reality checks against Oregon and Minnesota, finishing strong with a dominant performance in their Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina. Can they steady the ship again after their latest setback? Or will Shelby make Altmyer and the Illini offense pay?
If the O-line gets beat early again, and allows Shelby to key in on Altmyer— watch out.
Braylan Shelby is leading the Trojans in sacks through the first quarter of the season(3.5). #USC has 16 sacks through the first 4 games tied for #1 in the nation and BIG10. pic.twitter.com/SbH1iup95v
— Preston (@FightOnPreston) September 23, 2025
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