The star found a way to score a touchdown in the game

THE USC Trojans have been fined for breaking a rule over playing a star running back.

USC utilized a star offensive player when they shouldn’t have in their Week 7 win over Michigan.

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USC Trojans running back Bryan Jackson celebrates during a game against the Missouri State Bears on August 30Credit: Getty

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Jackson runs for a touchdown in the Trojans’ Week 7 win over the Michigan Wolverines last weekendCredit: Getty
The Big Ten announced the fining of USC for playing running back Bryan Jackson last weekend.

The Trojans used Jackson despite listing him as “out” on the team’s final pregame availability report, a conference spokesperson told CBS Sports.

USC played Jackson after two running backs, Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders, both left the game due to injuries.

Jackson had last played in Week 1 because of a turf toe issue.

The Trojans ruled Jackson out before the Week 7 game against the Wolverines, but head coach Lincoln Riley said after the game that team doctors cleared him to play.

The goal was only to play Jackson in an emergency situation.

That scenario took place when Jordan and Sanders’ injuries hurt the running back room.

Jackson took to the field in the fourth quarter and went on to rush five times for 35 yards and a touchdown.

“On Saturday, USC listed a student-athlete as ‘out’ on its availability report for the game against Michigan, but that student-athlete later participated in the game,” the Big Ten said in a statement to CBS Sports.

“The student-athlete had previously been sidelined due to injury and did not initially dress in uniform for the game; however, following a sequence of unfortunate injuries that occurred in the first half at the student-athlete’s position, he was medically cleared to play, suited up, and later entered the game.

“Although these circumstances were unfortunate, it is critical for availability reports to be accurate.

“Consequently, the conference is imposing a $5,000 fine and admonishes all institutions to use the ‘out’ designation only if there are no circumstances under which a student-athlete could participate in a game.

“The conference considers the matter closed and will have no further comment.”

Riley said on Saturday night that the school spoke to the Big Ten and explained to them the situation.

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Jackson posted five rushes for 35 yards in his first game back since suffering a Week 1 injuryCredit: Reuters
Still, USC will be given a fine for Jackson’s participation in the game.

The Trojans will have to deal with the fine and the injury to Jordan, who’s expected to miss up to six weeks after injuring his ankle in the win.

Jordan is set to undergo tightrope surgery to repair the injury that led to him being carted off the field.

He was one of the best running backs in the nation for seven weeks.

Jordan ranked third in the Big Ten with 576 rushing yards.