Lincoln Riley accepts responsibility for USC’s painful loss to No. 4 Penn State.
Opportunities were plentiful all afternoon, just as they had been throughout the season, with the universe seemingly urging USC to surpass No. 4 Penn State. But chance after chance slipped away, leading Lincoln Riley’s Trojans to once again teeter on the edge, desperately driving downfield for one final shot after a frustrating series of missed opportunities.
Time and again, the Trojans found themselves on the brink of redemption, just inches away from crucial victories. Riley had frequently pointed this out over the last tumultuous month, making it hard to believe they’d end up in a similar situation again on Saturday.
Yet, there they were, with the clock winding down in the fourth quarter, the score tied, and Miller Moss just one completion away from a kick that could change everything.
That was Riley’s vision as he let the clock run, tightly holding onto his three unused timeouts. Just one successful pass would set up the game-winning kick. But Moss’ throw was intercepted, and a potential game-winning kick in overtime veered wide left. With those missed opportunities, USC’s playoff hopes faded in a 33-30 overtime loss to Penn State.
“It’s a gut punch,” Riley admitted, “no doubt about it.”
The defeat was particularly stinging, given how well USC had controlled much of the game. The run game was effective, with Woody Marks and Quinten Joyner combining for 193 yards—the most Penn State’s defense had allowed this season. The defensive front also performed admirably, limiting Penn State’s strong rushing attack to just 118 yards, their second-lowest total of the year.
While this progress might have made a difference against Minnesota or Michigan—teams that had previously dominated USC—against Penn State, it only provided so much leeway.
Drew Allar, the Nittany Lions quarterback, more than compensated for any shortfall, throwing for 391 yards, one of the highest totals against USC in recent seasons. Yet, despite this, Allar also gave USC plenty of chances.
