USC Coach Lincoln Riley Dismisses Critics After Ohio State Upset
The Trojans defeated the No. 2 Buckeyes 18-17, returning to the AP Top 25 and reviving their College Football Playoff chances.
By Aiko Brooks ·
USC head football coach Lincoln Riley ended his postgame press conference on Saturday by walking away from the podium and telling the room, “adios.” He had just led the No. 18 Trojans to a 18-17 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes, a result that knocked the visitors from No. 2 to No. 11 in the AP Top 25 and secured USC a spot in the top 25 rankings.
Before leaving, Riley pulled a white sheet of paper from his pocket and read a prepared statement. He told reporters the program is built on internal joy rather than external applause. He emphasized that the win belonged to the staff, players, and administrative team. Riley noted that he had previously stated he is the right person for the job and that the only opinion he values is from the people within the organization.
The statement appeared to address the criticism Riley has faced during the season. Pundits and fans have questioned his leadership following a series of losses. USC recently lost 17-7 to Wisconsin, which dropped the team out of the rankings. The Trojans also suffered a third consecutive defeat to Oregon, extending Riley’s record against ranked teams to 5-15. During a recent game against Washington, the crowd at the Coliseum chanted “fire Riley” as the team overcame a 21-10 deficit.
The Ohio State game marked USC’s largest victory over a ranked opponent since a win over No. 2 Oklahoma in 2004. The defense limited the Buckeyes to a season low of 18 points. USC held Ohio State scoreless until late in the fourth quarter and restricted Heisman Trophy candidate Jeremiah Smith from making an impact.
Offensive lineman Tobias Raymond said the result reflects the team’s focus on internal dynamics. He stated that the opinions of people outside the building do not matter as much as how the team members interact daily. Raymond described the win as a product of focusing on their strengths and playing Trojan football.
The victory came just as the first College Football Playoff rankings are set to be released on Tuesday. Analysts expect the drop in Ohio State’s standing could cause shifts in the top 25. USC will now take a bye week before facing No. 6 Indiana and No. 5 UCLA. The Trojans had a bye week earlier in the season that preceded their loss to Wisconsin.
UCLA is currently unbeaten under first-year head coach Bob Chesney. Riley acknowledged the complexity of the national landscape, noting that teams which stay together and continue improving will likely be in contention at the end of the season. He described USC’s schedule as offering both challenges and opportunities.
