The Trojans’ disappointing performance during Saturday’s game raises concerns for USC’s aspirations for this season.
In the Los Angeles Coliseum, the echoes of celebration from the victorious Penn State locker room contrasted sharply with the disappointment felt by USC head coach Lincoln Riley as he faced the media after another heartbreaking defeat. Penn State triumphed over USC 33-30 in overtime, overcoming a two-touchdown lead that the Trojans had established by halftime, as well as a seven-point advantage late in the fourth quarter.
This latest loss marks USC’s third narrow defeat of the season, following similar setbacks against Michigan and Minnesota. Riley expressed frustration, acknowledging the challenges his team has faced. “We’ve put ourselves in positions to win these games. It’s challenging,” he said, emphasizing the need to improve closing out games.
Currently, with a record of 3-3, USC’s hopes for the College Football Playoff appear to be dwindling. Even if they were to win the remainder of their games, making the 12-team playoff field seems unlikely. The team has lost eight of its last 13 games, showcasing a decline from the momentum they had when Riley was first hired.
There was a noticeable lack of enthusiasm from the crowd of 75,250 during the game, with pockets of Penn State fans making their presence felt. Riley responded defiantly to questions about his accountability for the program’s struggles, asserting that he takes full responsibility as head coach.
USC has faced a challenging coaching transition since Pete Carroll left the program amid NCAA scrutiny in 2010, struggling to find a stable and successful leader. Riley was brought in to restore the program’s success after a period of instability, and he had a successful tenure at Oklahoma before joining USC. However, after an initial promising season, the team has faltered recently.
Defensively, USC has shown some improvement under new coordinator D’Anton Lynn, but the team has struggled offensively, particularly in filling the void left by former Heisman winner Caleb Williams. Quarterback Miller Moss has struggled with interceptions and inconsistency.
During the game against Penn State, Riley showcased his offensive prowess with creative plays, including a memorable fake reverse that resulted in a long touchdown run. However, USC’s secondary struggled with coverage, allowing Penn State’s tight end Tyler Warren to set school records with 17 receptions for 224 yards, contributing significantly to the Nittany Lions’ comeback.
Critical moments for USC included failures to convert on fourth downs and a final interception that halted their chances for a win in regulation. The overtime period was marked by a narrow miss on a field goal for USC, followed by a game-winning kick from Penn State.
Despite the loss, Moss expressed hope for the future, remarking on the team’s potential against a top-ranked opponent. Meanwhile, Riley reflected on the emotional toll of recent games, emphasizing how deeply he is affected by the team’s struggles. “It’s just a really difficult loss. There’s really no way to sugarcoat that,” he concluded.