USC S Kamari Ramsey (food poisoning) sits out vs. Illinois

Field Level Media|published: 09/27/2025, 5:37pm EDT

Sep 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Georgia Southern Eagles wide receiver Josh Dallas (19) hangs on to the ball in front of USC Trojans safety Kamari Ramsey (7) for a first down during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Southern California safety Kamari Ramsey missed Saturday's 34-32 loss to No. 23 Illinois due to a bout with food poisoning.

Ramsey fell sick Friday night in Champaign, Ill., and Trojans coach Lincoln Riley said the staff didn't know he was ailing until Saturday morning.

Ramsey was not listed on the Big Ten availability report, which was released two hours before kickoff.

Ramsey attempted to go through pregame warm-ups and didn't play in the first half. He appeared on the sidelines in street clothes in the second half.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer took advantage of the No. 21 Trojans being shorthanded in the back end by passing for 328 yards and two touchdowns. Altmyer drove the Illini to David Olano's winning 41-yard field goal as time expired.

Ramsey is in his second season with USC after transferring from UCLA. He had 60 tackles and one interception last season but has just seven stops in four games this year.

--Field Level Media