Lincoln Riley couldn’t assist himself.
The beleaguered USC coach had been so measured, so calm, so restrained in his interplay with reporters after this monumental triumph when he had every proper not to be.
Then came a last query about a pathway present to the College Football Playoff and the Trojans having a probability to do what they had needed coming into this pivotal season.
USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches during an NCAA soccer recreation against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
That’s when Riley made like Mark Bowman on the third-quarter play in which the tight finish spectacularly hurdled an Ohio State defender and broke a number of tackles during the Trojans’ 30-18 victory over the second-ranked Buckeyes on Saturday evening at the Coliseum.
Given an opening, there was no stopping Riley now.
“Say that louder for the people in the back,” Riley said, attempting to be cute about ensuring that everyone could hear. “Yeah – hell yeah it does. Again, I keep saying, look at all the craziness across the country. The teams that just hang in there, keep going, get better, stay together are going to be the ones that are there in the end, so that’s the nature of it.”
Riley wasn’t executed. Far from it.
When a team publicist thanked Riley, quarterback Jayden Maiava and defensive deal with Alex VanSumeren – in essence excusing them to go away – Riley pulled out a piece of paper with ready notes.
“I’ve got one other thing I want to say here,” Riley said, glancing at the paper. “I just took a second, I wanted to make sure I articulated my thoughts.”
Oh, this should be fascinating.
USC linebacker Desman Stephens II (8), defensive finish Zuriah Fisher (18) and security Christian Pierce (6) have fun a turnover on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
“This program is built on internal joy, not external applause,” Riley continued after initially stumbling over his phrases. “This win’s for all the workers members, the gamers, the leaders, the admin, all the individuals within the partitions. I said before this recreation that I’m the proper particular person for this job and as lengthy as all these individuals know that, that’s all I care about.
“I appreciate being a part of this university and all it does and I appreciate our kids and our staff and I’m going to continue to Fight On because that’s what being a Trojan is all about.”
And with that, Riley got up to go away.
The speedy takeaway?
This wasn’t a coach expressing gratitude as much as someone campaigning to maintain his job.
Ohio State Buckeyes working back Bo Jackson (25) reacts to a dropped go during an NCAA faculty soccer recreation against the USC Trojans on Oct. 31, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
A more assured coach would deal with issues the approach Riley had for most of his session with reporters. Answer the questions. Remain composed. Move on.
His Trojans (7-2 total, 4-2 Big Ten) had been smarter, more bodily – just flat-out higher – than a team that had been far more of a gold normal in faculty soccer over the last few many years than the Cardinal and Gold.
When his team’s beautiful triumph was over amid a gentle mist that gave the complete factor a surreal really feel, followers stormed the subject to bounce around deliriously from one purpose line to the other.
Showing great restraint, Riley didn’t instantly lord any of this over reporters who had questioned him and taken shot after shot following that dreadful loss to Wisconsin last week that saddled his team with a second loss.
Then he lastly gave in to his own insecurity.
The fact is, this was a victory that could change everything.
Or nothing.
As much of a monumental win as it was, it won’t imply anything if USC stumbles against Indiana or UCLA. A loss to either team would remove the Trojans from CFP competition and places Riley back into the same actual spot he was just a week in the past.
Those video games being on the highway should make USC followers particularly doubtful that the Trojans can win both given Riley’s repeated struggles away from the Coliseum.
But these are issues for another day.
On Saturday, it was time to give Riley and his team a load of credit score.
This was a great triumph, even if it came against a team with a backup quarterback who barely accomplished 50% of his passes, not to point out some questionable game-planning from coach Ryan Day.
From the second play from scrimmage, when USC’s Trent Mosley caught a quick go and ran a good distance on a 69-yard landing, the Trojans owned the joint.
“It was huge,” Riley said. “You grab momentum right away, the crowd went nuts.”
They saved going loopy as the Trojans saved constructing their lead and the Buckeyes saved getting held to subject objectives.
A USC protection that has been maligned for months held agency after Ohio State had first and purpose with only inches to go, limiting the Buckeyes to another subject purpose.
“That’s a grit play, that’s a toughness deal, a mindset thing,” VanSumeren said.
It’s also the type of factor USC has executed far too not often this season, main to reputable questions about grit and toughness.
Do you actually belief a team that lost to Oregon at home and Wisconsin on the highway – while also barely beating Rutgers and Washington – to win out?
If the Trojans can maintain taking part in like they did Saturday, possibly Riley’s proper.
USC could be there at the finish and taking part in in the CFP, assuring its coach of holding his job at the place he retains saying he needs to be.
Hey, coach, we heard you. Nothing left wants to be said. Just get it executed.
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