LOS ANGELES — The echoes of jubilant celebrations from the winning Penn State locker room resonated around the LA Coliseum on Saturday evening as reporters awaited USC head coach Lincoln Riley’s remarks following another disheartening defeat.
“We own L.A.!” one Nittany Lion exclaimed.
“L.A. is our city!” another teammate echoed.
When Riley finally stepped up to the microphone, his frustration was palpable as he referred to the contest as a “really difficult loss.” USC lost to the fourth-ranked team in the nation, Penn State, with a score of 33-30 in overtime, despite having a two-touchdown lead at halftime and holding a seven-point advantage in the fourth quarter.
This latest second-half setback was particularly hard for USC, marking their third narrow defeat of the season. Earlier losses included a last-minute touchdown against Michigan and a blown seven-point lead against Minnesota.
“We’ve played the toughest schedule in the country for the first six games, and we’ve had a chance to win each one,” Riley stated. “That’s hard to do. We’ve got to improve at the end of games. I have to do better, our coaches have to do better, our players have to do better. We’re doing a lot of good things, but we have to convert those into wins.”
With a record of 3-3, the Trojans’ hopes for the College Football Playoff have all but vanished. Even if they manage to win the remainder of their games, it’s unlikely they would secure a berth in the 12-team playoff.
Moreover, it seems the team is struggling to regain a winning momentum. USC has lost eight of its last 13 games over the previous year, matching the worst stretch under former coach Clay Helton during his tenure.
The once-promising atmosphere surrounding Riley’s appointment three years ago has been largely dulled. The 75,250 fans in attendance on Saturday provided a lukewarm reaction during the game, a stark contrast to the enthusiasm of the visiting Penn State fans.
Addressing questions about his responsibility for the program’s state, Riley firmly stated, “It always falls to me. I’ve never shied away from that responsibility. I’m the head coach, and I take it all.”
Since Pete Carroll’s departure to the NFL amidst an NCAA investigation in 2010, USC has struggled to find a suitable head coach. Lane Kiffin was infamously fired during a fourth-season slump, while Steve Sarkisian’s tenure was cut short due to personal issues. Ed Orgeron provided a brief spark but was not retained, and Clay Helton’s lengthy and largely unsuccessful stint culminated in his firing two games into a disastrous 2021 season.
Former athletic director Mike Bohn sought a leader who could revitalize the football program, leading to Riley’s hiring. Excelling at Oklahoma with a record of 55-10 and multiple accolades, Riley initially seemed to signal a new era for USC football.
However, since a memorable late-November game in 2022, where USC secured an impressive victory against Notre Dame, the team’s fortunes have taken a downturn with losses to Utah and Tulane.
This year, Riley’s commitment to defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has faced scrutiny, leading to a disappointing season on that side of the ball. Though a new defensive coordinator has been brought in, the offense has struggled in the absence of former Heisman winner Caleb Williams, with backup quarterback Miller Moss also underperforming.
Despite showing promise in the first half against Penn State with well-executed plays, the Trojans faltered later. Penn State’s tight end, Tyler Warren, excelled with a record-setting performance, causing major issues for USC’s defense.
“We knew he’d be a challenge coming in, but we had a few coverage mistakes,” Riley admitted, noting the difficulty of containing such skilled opponents.
In the fourth quarter, key conversions by Penn State set up a critical touchdown that tied the game. USC’s final drive opportunity ended in disappointment as Moss’s interception halted their chance to secure a win.
In overtime, USC’s luck failed them once again as Penn State secured the victory with a last-minute field goal. Moss reflected on the heart-wrenching nature of the defeat but attempted to find a silver lining in USC’s competitive performance.
After the game, Riley revealed the emotional toll the losses have taken on him, admitting, “I think about this every second. I dream about it. And I wake up thinking about it. It’s just a really difficult loss. There’s really no way to sugarcoat that.”