Los Angeles – The atmosphere in the LA Coliseum turned somber on Saturday evening as USC head coach Lincoln Riley faced reporters following another tough loss for the Trojans. After a heartbreaking 33-30 overtime defeat to fourth-ranked Penn State, the enthusiasm that once surrounded USC football seemed to fade.
The Nittany Lions’ jubilant celebration echoed through the stadium walls, with chants like “We own L.A.” reverberating as Riley took the podium. He did not hide his exasperation, labeling the loss as “really difficult.” USC had built a two-touchdown lead by halftime and even led by seven points in the fourth quarter but could not secure the victory.
This loss marked the Trojans’ third one-score defeat of the season, following two painful losses during their Big Ten road games. Riley expressed the challenge of competing against a demanding schedule and the disappointment felt over not capitalizing on winning opportunities.
“It’s hard to put yourself in the position to win these games, but we need to do better at the end,” Riley acknowledged. At 3-3, the Trojans’ hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff look increasingly dim.
USC’s struggles in recent games reflect a deeper issue, with the team winning only five of its last 13 outings over the past year, highlighting a troubling trend. Saturday’s attendance was also dampened by the presence of Penn State supporters, leading to a muted response from the home crowd.
Riley faced criticism regarding the state of the program, yet he insisted on taking full responsibility for the team’s performance. He emphasized that he is committed to improving the situation and finds it unacceptable to lose close games.
Since Pete Carroll’s departure in 2010 amid controversy, USC has struggled to find a capable head coach. Riley was hired with high expectations after a successful tenure at Oklahoma, where he led the program to impressive accomplishments.
Despite some early optimism following an impressive inaugural season, recent losses to Utah and Tulane last year, in addition to a defense struggling to find its footing, have cast shadows over the program. While the Trojans have shown flashes of potential under new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, their offensive output has been lackluster since the departure of star quarterback Caleb Williams.
In the game against Penn State, Riley effectively utilized his offense during the first half. However, the second half saw Penn State capitalize on USC’s defensive errors, particularly taking advantage of tight end Tyler Warren, who had a record-breaking night with 224 yards.
Riley noted missed opportunities, particularly in crucial fourth-quarter moments. Toward the end of regulation, USC had a chance to win but fell victim to an interception. In overtime, the team’s misfortunes continued as they missed a crucial field goal, allowing Penn State to claim victory with their successful attempt.
Miller Moss, who faced his own challenges as quarterback, described the loss as “excruciating” yet acknowledged the potential within the team when facing a top-ranked opponent.
Reflecting on the impact of the loss, Riley admitted to being consumed by the struggles of his team, stating he spends sleepless nights analyzing their shortcomings. “It’s just a really difficult loss. There’s really no way to sugarcoat that,” he said, indicating the weight of the recent performance on both himself and his players.