Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano confronted a sideline official during a 42-35 loss to No. 12 USC, an incident that followed a controversial illegal substitution penalty called against the Scarlet Knights. The penalty occurred in the third quarter when the referees called a play dead on an inadvertent whistle, setting up a third-down situation from USC's own 28-yard line. Rutgers was called for an illegal substitution, which moved the ball up several yards. Schiano, visible on the CBS broadcast, argued with one of the side judges while an assistant attempted to keep him off the field. The coach knocked down a field marker during the confrontation.
The penalty came after USC quarterback Jayden Maiava threw an incomplete pass on third down, forcing a fourth-down attempt. On the following play, Maiava completed a 32-yard pass to keep the drive alive, though USC eventually turned the ball over on downs. The game featured close competition, with both teams trading touchdowns on their subsequent drives. Rutgers had been within striking distance before USC secured the victory.
The result marks a significant performance for Rutgers, which had previously lost to UMass and Boston College earlier in the season. In the defeat, the Scarlet Knights recorded 460 total yards. Quarterback Dylan Lonergan threw three touchdown passes and two interceptions. For USC, King Miller rushed for 102 yards and a score. The Trojans remain undefeated with a 4-0 record.