Ohio State defensive lineman John Walker appeared to spit on/at a USC fan after the college football game in Los Angeles on Saturday. The fan, who captured the moment on video, yelled at the Buckeyes while they made their way back to the locker room.
This incident took place right before an altercation that involved athletic director Ross Bjork and head coach Lincoln Riley.
Unfortunately, these kinds of things continue to happen during college football field storms. Players and fans are often unable to control their emotions.
Lincoln Riley yelled at Ross Bjork.
USC defeated Ohio State by a final score of 30-18. Fans immediately invaded the field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as soon as the clock hit zero to celebrate the upset win over the No. 2 team in the country.
They’re storming the field at the Coliseum after USC upsets No. 2 Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/t1Hrby9jNZ
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) November 1, 2026
Lincoln Riley faced a lot of criticism in the days and weeks leading up to Saturday. A large portion of the fanbase called for him to be fired after a loss to Wisconsin. He silenced the haters with the upset win over the Buckeyes and had some extra pep in his step or a chip on his shoulder— whatever you want to call it. His family joined him on the field after the game.
Riley walked back toward the locker room behind Eddrick Houston, who suffered an injury and needed help walking. (I would like to shine light on Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava, who made sure to check on Houston after they had cleared the field.)
As Riley, his wife and their children walked back toward the tunnel, Ross Bjork stepped in front of them. Ohio State’s athletic director turned to the Riley family and said something that did not go over well with the head coach or his wife. She told Bjork to “watch his mouth.” He appeared to call him a “p—-” and said “f— you!”
The entire altercation was captured on a hot mic in a video that has since gone viral on social media. Neither the Trojans nor the Buckeyes released a statement as of this writing and it remains unclear as to exactly what was said to who or why.
However, it was not the only incident during the field storm. They happened within minutes of each other.
An Ohio State football player spit on a USC fan who yelled in his face.
Based on the context of the two separate videos, the heated exchange between Lincoln Riley and Ross Bjork happened just a few moments after Ohio State defensive lineman John Walker spit on/at a USC fan. You can see Houston in the background.
The Trojans fan who posted the video on social media did not jump over the railing onto the field. He was yelling at the Buckeyes to “get in the locker room” from the stands. Safety Earl Little Jr. walked right past the aggressive fan without issue. Walker did not.
The senior defensive tackle turned toward the fan and spit in his direction. Take a look:
Was spit on & assaulted by @OhioStateFB lineman @55problems__ after the USC upset win when I told him to get his ass in the locker room postgame@BarstoolBigCat @stoolpresidente @barstoolsports @espn @AndyStaples @PetrosAndMoney @InsideUSC @insidetroy @PatMcAfeeShow @ClayTravis pic.twitter.com/F90Yuk0kaB
— AL (@collegefann03) November 1, 2026
The actual spit is not visible on camera but you can see Walker turn his head toward the fan with pursued lips. You can also hear the sound of someone who is spitting and the USC fan immediately says “he spit on me,” twice.
It will be interesting to see whether the Buckeyes choose to take action. Walker could (and maybe should?) be suspended if the video reflects reality.