The Indiana Hoosiers celebrated their 27-13 win over the USC Trojans by blasting Tupac’s “California Love” through their home stadium speakers, turning the iconic West Coast anthem into a pointed nod at their defeated California opponents. The game on Saturday night saw No. 9 Indiana extend their strong season record to 9-1, maintaining momentum as they defend their national championship.
Indiana, led by head coach Curt Cignetti, controlled the game from start to finish, scoring in every quarter and outscoring USC 17-3 in the final half-hour. Quarterback Grant Wilson started instead of Josh Hoover and delivered a solid performance, completing 17 of 27 passes for 305 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Running backs Khobie Martin and Lee Beebe Jr. shared the workload in the ground game. Martin carried 12 times for 82 yards and a touchdown, while Beebe added 16 rushes for 71 yards.
The Hoosiers’ passing attack featured several contributors. Nick Marsh led receivers with four catches for 80 yards, followed by Charlie Becker, who hauled in three receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown. Brock Schott also made an impact with four catches totaling 40 yards and a touchdown.
USC, ranked 18th, entered the game as a solid contender from the Big Ten, but they struggled to match Indiana’s balanced offense and defensive resilience. The Hoosiers’ victory extended their winning streak and strengthened their position in the College Football Playoff race.
After the final whistle, Indiana’s stadium staff chose to underscore their triumph by playing “California Love,” released by Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre in 1995. The song is widely recognized as an anthem celebrating California, making it a pointed choice to underscore Indiana’s victory over the West Coast team.
ESPN reporter Adam Rittenberg captured the moment on social media, tweeting, “Indiana plays ‘California Love’ after beating USC 27-13,” alongside footage of the stadium’s celebration.
Looking ahead, Indiana will face the Washington Huskies on the road in Week 12, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on November 21. The Hoosiers aim to build on this win as they continue their campaign to defend their national title.
According to Yahoo Sports.
