Trojans Have Fallen & Can’t Get Up

USC crumbles like usual late in crushing 29-28 loss to Maryland

Terrapins block a field goal then take the lead with 53 seconds left and the Trojans come up short to fall to 3-4

Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. rushes for the decisive touchdown with 53 seconds left in a 29-28 victory over USC on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024,at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Maryland QB Billy Edwards Jr. rushes for the decisive score with 53 seconds left in a 29-28 victory over USC on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at SECU Stadium in College Park, MD. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Luca Evans (OC Register)  —  COLLEGE PARK, Md. — At long last, after a season scorned by losses, after the “few plays away” that had defined USC’s season, they seemed set to close a football game on the steady leg of Georgia Southern transfer kicker Michael Lantz.

41-yard try. Two minutes left. USC up six. Snap. Kick. Ballgame, it should’ve been.

But Lantz’s boot never quite made it in the air.

Maryland’s Donnell Brown burst through and deflected the field-goal attempt, the loose football scooped up by the Terrapins’ Caleb Wheatland, and a USC program that’s shown a complete inability to simply close games in 2024 left the door open just long enough for a fleet of red to streak through.

They’d all been bad. They’d all been heartbreaking. There was the gut-wrencher in Ann Arbor, and the frustration in Minneapolis, and the Penn State madness at the Coliseum last week, and yet nothing quite compared to the sheer bafflement that unfolded in College Park on Saturday afternoon as USC fell 29-28 to Maryland.

First came the blocked kick after a second half of calamities, and then a Maryland drive that gave the Terrapins a stunning lead in the span of but five plays, and then a final USC drive that seemed momentarily destined for glory until Miller Moss dropped back on fourth down.

Needing two yards to set up another Lantz try, with 10 seconds left, he darted a ball over the middle to the normally steady-as-a-rock Woody Marks.

The ball popped out, off a Maryland tackle, the kind of break that’s never gone USC’s way in a shocking 3-4 start – and 1-4 Big Ten – that somehow, some way, could still be 7-0.

Again, a strong first half was flushed down the drain. Again, Lincoln Riley refused to turn heavily to the running game as time wound down in the second half. Again, a fourth quarter and an eventual loss had come down the “few plays away” that have defined Riley’s time in Southern California.

Things looked just peachy at the end of the first half, when Moss found tough-handed sophomore Makai Lemon – rapidly becoming a favorite target – for a 24-yard gain over the middle, Marks punched in a touchdown after a couple handoffs, and USC held a 21-7 lead.

After a season of youthful inconsistency for USC’s sophomore receiving corps, they put on a 30-minute clinic, Lemon totaling five first-half catches and young Megatron Ja’Kobi Lane somehow twisting on one second-quarter ball from Moss for a one-handed TD grab that defied all of Isaac Newton’s scientific epiphanies. And after a couple weeks of iffy performances, Saturday’s first two quarters saw the return of the Moss that fans saw in the Holiday Bowl, a gunslinger who dotted his way to a 196-yard first half.

But even in his best games of 2024, even as Riley stuck with self-described “zero question” to Moss as his starter, the junior’s been prone to head-scratching mistakes that have doomed USC’s fortunes. And with USC moving in the third quarter, another brutal decision set disaster in motion, firing off his back foot and floating an interception that resulted in a Maryland score not a play later.

After another ineffectual USC drive, cornerback Jaylin Smith momentarily played superhero, skying for a remarkable one-handed pick on a fourth-and-goal to put the Trojans back in the driver’s seat. With momentum at the start of the fourth quarter, buoyed by a steady ground attack from Marks, Moss found Duce Robinson for a 26-yard push into the end zone for another sophomore-starring moment.

Maryland retaliated with a score, as USC too often strayed away from handing the ball to Marks. But on what seemed a last-gasp Maryland drive with three minutes to go, D’Anton Lynn’s defense – so often lambasted for their lack of pressure and weakness at closing on fourth downs – sent ballhawk Kamari Ramsey flying off the edge, bringing down Edwards Jr. for a sack.

It seemed the clincher. It seemed, at long last, that USC could close.

Only for a kick to be sent dribbling, and a season to continue slipping.

ocregister.com

___________

TrojanDailyBlog members —  We always encourage you to add factual information, insight, divergent opinions, or new topics to the TDB that don’t necessarily pertain to any particular moderator post or member comment.

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parcelman007
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October 22, 2024 3:49 pm

Urban Meyer commented on the USC situation. He didn’t blame any of the coaches. He blamed USC. Unfortunately, he didn’t say what the problem was. He just said that with all of USC’s advantages they should always be a top 5 school.Having good coaches hasn’t really helped them. They’ve had Sark, Kiffin, LR……even Clay Helton isn’t doing that bad at Georgia Southern. Still nobody is able to win big. It must be the school.

parcelman007
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October 23, 2024 12:28 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Makes sense. We’ll just have to hope LR really is still in the learning process at a young age because the only way he’s going anywhere in the next 4-5 years is if he decides to walk away from his own contract and I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Fighton74
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October 22, 2024 11:12 am

If we are not replacing LR’s touted offensive mind with an equally touted defensive mind for HC then it not time to change HC’s.

parcelman007
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October 22, 2024 11:32 am
Reply to  Fighton74

We won’t be replacing LR for a number of years. Right now it would cost close to $80 million to buy him out. That’s not going to happen. We need to wait and hope he’s a young coach who will mature in the coming years as he is learning this game. How long did it take Harbaugh to win an NC at Michigan? Tom Landry didn’t have a winning season until his 7th season. It might happen with LR but regardless, we’re not going to buy him out…..at least not at this point.

Fighton74
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October 22, 2024 12:01 pm
Reply to  parcelman007

Agreed except for Harbaugh is a defensive minded coach. Goes further in getting you a National Championship caliber team especially in the Big-10. I know we’d have a buyout and that’s one reason it doesn’t make sense to go for another HC.

Fighton74
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October 22, 2024 12:13 pm
Reply to  parcelman007

Let’s buyout LR so we can cheaply pay some unproven coach because that makes so much sense. Talk about 900 steps backwards. At least LR has a name. New unproven coach means decreased recruiting right off the batt. We’re not looking to loose recruits we are looking to gain them, and without a name replacement for LR you’re loosing recruits no matter what.

Fighton74
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October 22, 2024 12:47 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Because people are talking all about unproven coaches when the guy has an 80 mil dollar contract. Year 4 not even 5 yet, and year 1 Big 10 thats why.

Fighton74
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October 22, 2024 1:18 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

So because we made a mistake and went for an offensive minded coach that means we should not go the other direction for defensive minded coach that has a name?! With the carousel of coaching that has gone on with SC that is another backwards move by far. Again how long did it take Harbaugh?! Only going into year 4. Year 1 of Big 10. You don’t replace something without equal or better options plain and simple.

Fighton74
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October 22, 2024 1:59 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Did I ever say Harbaugh was not a good coach?! And our team in recent years has not had a deficiency in offense. They have a deficiency on defense hence the reason for defensive minded HC. Also most National Championships last few years defensive heavy.

parcelman007
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October 23, 2024 2:52 am
Reply to  Fighton74

I don’t think SC is in the business of paying cheaply for any old coach. They have spent too much money on this football program with the refurbished Coliseum and the other buildings they are about to build. They’ll wait 4 or more years to see how LR is going to work out and if he doesn’t work out they will spend a whole lot more to get another great coach and hope he doesn’t end up getting fired like all the rest before him.Outside of Pete Carroll, you have to go back to John Robinson in the 70’s to… Read more »

Fighton74
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October 24, 2024 2:02 pm
Reply to  parcelman007

With the coaching list I’ve seen so far seems cheap. As I said we paid for the top offensive mind in college football when we never had a problem with our offense. We have a defensive problem and an identify problem the culture is soft. Not going to work for Big-10 football. Maybe it does who knows. Point being I’m not replacing LR with something that does not have a name and reputation behind it equally on the defensive side of the football that’s all I’m saying.

Fighton74
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October 22, 2024 10:54 am

Get a new HC. No problem. Are the DC’s from Georgia, Alabama, Ohio St, Penn St, Texas, Oregon available if they are great. Is there a proven coach out of retirement with a resume sure. Why not another NFL coach? Like Jeff Fisher, or Del Rio. I agree with a lot of the arguments about Carrol, but I also don’t. Proven success. Brilliant defensive guy, and I think ultimately if you go with a new hire it’s who that new hire attracts an as an OC is the difference maker. It’s also the reason why if you are replacing Riley… Read more »

Fighton74
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October 22, 2024 10:16 am

Hey guys let’s go get a new HC and keep making the same mistakes over and over again Question is it the first year for us in the Big-10?! Would you have beaten LSU with last year’s team?! NO Would you have given Michigan a ride in there home stadium with last year’s team?! NO. Is the Big House one of the loudest most hostile stadiums in college football?! Yes. Do think last year’s team would’ve kept pace with Penn St at home?! NO Do you think last year’s team would’ve traveled all the way across the country to play… Read more »

parcelman007
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October 22, 2024 3:11 am

This team reminds me of the 2012 team. I though they were good in 2010 even though they were just 8-5. In 2011 they were even better. I think they were 11-2 and had just about everyone coming back for the 2012 season.Some football magazines were predicting them to win the NC. Then they fell apart in 2012.I still don’t know what happened with that team. Like 2012, this team is falling apart and I’m not sure why.

TrojanRon
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October 22, 2024 4:57 am
Reply to  parcelman007

I agree with you on the 2012 team. When I was a first-year grad student at USC in 1977, USC was ranked #1 and easily won our first two games. Then we lost to Alabama 21-20 in the LA Coliseum as a two-point conversion attempt at the end of the game failed. From then on, we just couldn’t get out of the way of ourselves, committing costly turnovers and losing close games (sound familiar?). We did beat UCLA on a last-minute field goal by Frank Jordan and then Rob Hertel had 5 TD passes in the Bluebonnet Bowl as we… Read more »

parcelman007
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October 22, 2024 11:09 am
Reply to  TrojanRon

We not only beat them but we beat them on their home field.

RialtoTrojan
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October 21, 2024 9:39 am

Well my wife and I once paid way too much for a house paint job, which had magic sparkly crystal powder. The thought was the paint was supposed to reflect the sun and make the house cooler and the color was guaranteed for thirty years. After a few years the colors we chose were out of fashion, (I know we should have gone with cardinal and gold) and we were stuck with them. So for about five years we were the only house on our street with an outdated paint scheme (and a cooler house) but eventually people started to… Read more »

Chris
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October 21, 2024 11:11 am
Reply to  RialtoTrojan

Funny, I too went for the “sparkly crystals”, think it was ceramic. Anyway, the paint job still looks good 7 years later. As for football, Riley needs to walk down the hall to a guy who has won multiple national championships, Matt Entz. Or on campus to visit another, Pete Carroll. Either should have some insight for him.

ATL D.D.S.
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October 21, 2024 5:19 pm
Reply to  Chris

But, Coach Linkin is the smartest coach ever! Who are we mere mortals to question his brilliance.

parcelman007
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October 21, 2024 2:30 am

At least the last two years we knew what the problem was. It was Alex Grinch. But this year we don’t seem to know what the problem is.Even LR said that when asked. It’s hard to correct the problem when you don’t know what it is.

Steveg
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October 20, 2024 5:52 pm

I myself seriously doubt Riley is going away any time soon. In fact I consider him a young coach with a lot to learn. When he has a few more years to mature as a HC I think he will be okay. Other coaches with names like Saban and Carroll didn’t get really good until their 50’s. Just my humble opinion.

parcelman007
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October 20, 2024 6:43 pm
Reply to  Steveg

To get rid of him after this season SC would have to spend $70 million. I don’t think that he is going away any time soon either.

Trojanfanatic
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October 20, 2024 7:05 pm
Reply to  Steveg

I agree. He could be with time and a good support staff. Unfortunately Helton literally dismantled the program so we couldn’t whiff on the next head coach hire, hence hired Riley who had a pretty good track record, but as a inheritor of an established program not a major rebuild. Also Saban, Carrol and the other greats had great instincts, like hiring competent staff, not loyalty focused. These greats, even in their learning years knew the team had to be defensively sound for game balance. Riley’s mentors were singularly offensive minded, finesse position focused, stemming from the Mike Leach tree.… Read more »

Steveg
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October 20, 2024 7:08 pm
Reply to  Trojanfanatic

I agree with you, and we saw him take a huge step in that direction bringing in what could be the best defensive staff in football. Now they need the talent. I see big things in 2026.

USC1988
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October 20, 2024 10:52 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Could have had big things in 2024 … by just dialing up a few 1st downs. The more talent might get us by Maryland next time but he better learn to coach too.

illinoisusc
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October 20, 2024 4:38 pm

Just read on another site that LR’s total compensation at USC was over 19.5 million in 2023.

2manyyears
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October 20, 2024 5:41 pm
Reply to  illinoisusc

Theft of paycheck.

Trojanfanatic
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October 20, 2024 3:15 pm

I’m reading here many believe more time is needed with LR for a full rebuild and based upon the contractual balanced owed, that’s going to happen regardless. So we’ve seen rebuilds in our years following CFB with some successful, some not so much. So LR’s recipe for a success rebuild is quite interesting. Some highlights of the plan: 1. Keep until pushed literally the worst DC in the nation, with the defense ranking almost at the bottom 2. Deemphasize OL’s / DL’s importance both in recruiting and portal 3. Maintain a recruiting fetish that focuses on Georgia and a couple… Read more »

USC1988
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October 20, 2024 5:09 pm
Reply to  Trojanfanatic

How he could even tolerate watching that miserable Grinch D … should of been a sign something is off with this guy. Now he has the yips trying to get a final 1st down. LR is a mess, he might have to just pull a Coach O and quit the profession.

Trojanfanatic
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October 20, 2024 5:24 pm
Reply to  USC1988

I couldn’t understand it either. I chalked it up to prioritizing a friendship over the best interest of the program. That must of been one hell of a friendship.

Fighton74
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October 22, 2024 11:25 am
Reply to  Trojanfanatic

I agree, but unless we are replacing an offensive mind with an equally touted defensive mind for HC. I’m gonna say not time to throw in the towel yet.

UtahTrojan
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October 20, 2024 1:20 pm
Fighton74
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October 20, 2024 1:47 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

Well Peterson, or Campbell for-sure. Carrol maybe but I’d want to know what restrictions he has vs when he was a coach and how that apply’s to today’s football to see if it would a good fit or not, and maybe other candidates. HC needs to be hard nosed preferably defensive minded, and a leader of men. OC needs to be the big follow up. Young offensive mind, and a big play caller.

2manyyears
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October 20, 2024 5:37 pm
Reply to  Fighton74

It’s fantasy land because of the $$$ but let’s play along. Petersen is out IMHO because he has been away too long and was tired of the way things were went he left. Cignetti has been a winner but at lower levels. Indiana is not Mich or OS but he is doing a great job so far. Urban Meyer is a POS. Nuff said Campbell is a really solid coach and has done miracles with lesser talent. He has been approached for other jobs but always says he is genuinely happy in Aimes. Entz would be a really interesting hire/promotion.… Read more »

USC1988
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October 20, 2024 1:51 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan
  1. Entz or Lynn either probably Entz since been HC
  2. Petersen like should had a decade ago
  3. Indiana guy
  4. Vanderbilt guy
  5. Minnesota Coach, dude brings it knows Big 10 doesn’t take shit from miserable Big 10 refs
Fighton74
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October 20, 2024 2:32 pm
Reply to  USC1988

Too be brutally honest none of those candidates are proven to be better than what we have again what’s was LR’s track record ranking and program before SC? Also again NIL restrictions, school issues, state of program before LR. Big 10 alignment. All major obstacles to over come. Plus you hired Lynn that seems to have helped. My point very simple you’re not getting anything proven to better by hiring anyone from that list. You’re not getting better recruits it’s the same thing. Same USC how long do you think it takes to build a program? You are back to… Read more »

USC1988
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October 20, 2024 5:04 pm
Reply to  Fighton74

D guys over the hot shot OC frauds … hires are never a sure thing, hope to get lucky like did with Pete. LR is just unlucky but only himself to blame.

parcelman007
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October 20, 2024 6:49 pm
Reply to  USC1988

Another guy that I like is the Pittsburg guy. LR might seriously think about hiring his brother as OC but he says he doesn’t want to do that.

parcelman007
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October 20, 2024 7:03 pm
Reply to  parcelman007

SC is 70th in the country defensively. So they have improved. But improved from what. There is only one place to go from last years defense and that is up.

Golden Trojan
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October 20, 2024 2:59 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

As they said Stink’n Lincoln isn’t getting fired yet, too expensive. How about this option. Jen Cohen hires Pete Carroll as football consultant. He makes recommendations. Cohen, Carroll sit down with SL changes are made. PC can also school SL in PR. Lots of egos in that room but if Cohen can manage it, what a coup.

USC1988
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October 20, 2024 10:49 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

College games has past Pete bye … besides he would tell Big Jen to hire Goatboy or Suck or Yogi F ing Roth something stupid like that again

Fighton74
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October 20, 2024 1:06 pm

I think it is what is with LR unfortunately don’t agree with it, but it takes 3-5 years to build a program. However with all of the adversities including NIL, and Big 10 alignment. I also think the success of the defense and Lynn show’s promise. Don’t like LR but not enough allowed time yet. Especially with SC’s notorious daytime soap HC carrousel. Which also proves to keep
moving this program further and further backwards.

Fighton74
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October 20, 2024 12:24 pm

How many more play options do you give yourself as a coach when you can line Deuce up at both TE and WR. That creates mis matches on defense and the ability to use him as a decoy. Not being a couch coach but come on LR.

USC1988
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October 20, 2024 1:44 pm
Reply to  Fighton74

Ya 4th and 1 him in motion … little high toss off play action
Lack of creativity with this O is alarming

Fighton74
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October 20, 2024 11:50 am

? For dumbass LR why are you not lining up Deuce as a TE on some plays to try and catch a seam especially when TE is his natural position just saying.

Chris
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October 20, 2024 1:16 pm
Reply to  Fighton74

He did it multiple times yesterday.

Fighton74
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October 20, 2024 1:32 pm
Reply to  Chris

Didn’t see it.

Chris
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October 20, 2024 3:30 pm
Reply to  Fighton74

Only when we went no back. He played in tight. I think he is too skinny to block, so he has to be a WR. He’s only 210lbs.

Fighton74
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October 20, 2024 11:43 am

I’m with you all on LR. Never thought he was the fit. However still too early to get rid of him. I think we have to look at what was accomplished this year so far. Lynn amazing hire. We have exceeded expectations so far this season, and a lot is a credit to the defense. Also first year Big-10. 💯 if we are talking about the same thing next year as this then I think it’s time to consider him leaving. SC does this a lot guys yes we could’ve done better, but it takes time to build a program.… Read more »

Golden Trojan
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October 20, 2024 2:45 pm
Reply to  Fighton74

Exceeded expectations?! You were expecting last place in the Big10 instead of tied for second to last? I guess if your expectations are very low you won’t be disappointed. Stink’n Lincoln and Josh Henson have had nearly 3 years to recruit, develop and coach up on OL. They stink at it. This is the same OL that started Game 1, are they getting better with experience? Stink’n Lincoln gave us Caleb Williams, otherwise we might as well have kept the Cat.

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October 20, 2024 3:14 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

I was expecting a lot worse season. Our defense exceeded expectations, also a lot of those game we played so far this we would’ve gotten torched last year. Stayed close with Michigan with last year’s team? NO Beat LSU with last year’s team? NO Stayed close with Penn St? NO. That’s what you have to take from one part of it. Part 2 do players want to get paid? If I have NIL restrictions does that make it hard for me to get recruits? If I have underlying school issues does that make it hard for me to recruit as… Read more »

Fighton74
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October 22, 2024 8:46 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

If you seriously going to tell me with all of the adversity that USC had when LR came in and that anyone of these coaches out there that’s listed would be able to do any better. I am seriously going to laugh. Also ? Do players want to get paid? NIL is a massive any way cut the cake. It’s a deficiency period. Also where did LR come from Oaklahoma. Have they won a few championships? Do you think Minnesota or Iowa St is going to win a championship? I want a better coach just as bad as any of… Read more »

Fighton74
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October 22, 2024 9:06 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Who’s available that’s proven to be better?!✌️

USC1988
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October 21, 2024 1:34 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

No Cat … would be losing these games 48-7

ATL D.D.S.
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October 21, 2024 7:25 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Gee, it sure is great to not have to look for SC in the top 25 for yet another season!😡🤬🤬

Fighton74
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October 20, 2024 10:29 am

Disappointing to say the least but, our team is not built for Big-10 football yet. We are in the 1st year. Lots of travel, different style of football. I think we are headed in the direction thou, and we have exceeded expectations this year for sure. Bottom line for SC is depth and sustainability in games. Have to control the line of scrimmage in Big-10 and championship football. Bigger more dominate linemen. Also you have to able to wear teams out Running the football. Riley is going to have more success winning games. With run heavy to set up the… Read more »

Golden Trojan
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October 20, 2024 11:26 am
Reply to  Fighton74

Connor Morrissette (USCFootball.com) — “Over the last 20 seasons, over 200 FBS teams have had a fourth-quarter lead in all seven games to start a season — and only the 2024 Trojans are under .500.” USC has not lost because of lack of depth or not able to run the ball. USC has been in postition to win with less than 10 minutes to play. It has been the play calling of the head coach that lead to the losses. He wants to pass so badly he empties the back field so everybody knows he is going to pass. Run… Read more »

volunteerTrojan
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October 20, 2024 1:20 pm
Reply to  Fighton74

In what ways are we exceeding expectations? I don’t recall anyone on this board expecting this level of play or record. Just curious.

DanaPtTrojan
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October 20, 2024 10:07 am

Go Sam! Darnold was put in an”no win” situation until he found traction in San Francisco.

DanaPtTrojan
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October 20, 2024 10:03 am

And I never lost one of those USC donation IRS audits. And it sure pisses the IRS off!

DanaPtTrojan
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October 20, 2024 9:55 am

BREAKING NEWS: Lincoln Riley may have to enter witness protection. Miller Moss appeared absolutely catatonic at the post game presser, looking like a broke dick dog. Last time I saw 2 people with these facial expressions, I was involved in the defense of 2 bozos who engaged in a knife fight in a telephone booth. You could say Lincoln Riley “lost this team”. I suspect though this team never came together. To those who say “not one more dime to USC”, let me remind you that the USC Dornslife Interim Dean is humping the alums for donations. While I also… Read more »

ATL D.D.S.
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October 21, 2024 7:29 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Wow, what a picture.

ATL D.D.S.
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October 21, 2024 8:08 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Shaw is a native of Maryland. It was no doubt a big deal for him to get to play in front of his home state fans.

ATL D.D.S.
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October 21, 2024 7:28 am
Reply to  DanaPtTrojan

I like your anti-IRS attitude!

RialtoTrojan
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October 20, 2024 9:41 am

No news yet. Jen must have left her keys to the ball closet in Washington. You’d think she’d have a pair of brass one in a drawer somewhere for just such an occasion. Lincoln Riley is the DeLorean of football coaches. He’s flashy and shiny, but underperforming and underpowered. The worst part is when he hits 88 miles per hour he goes back to the Helton era. Don’t forget John DeLorean was a convicted cocaine dealer and Lincoln coaches as if his last hit is wearing off. There’s a reason USC has five Heisman running backs and only three quarterbacks.… Read more »

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October 20, 2024 9:33 am

Current Football Contest Standings

  1. Scoochnew   36000
  2. Chris          30000
  3. TrojanRJJ      22000
  4. Bus83         20000
  5. MrsSteveG   19000
  6. Troy5543      18000
  7. DubPar22      10000
  8. GoldenTrojan  8000
  9. Rock2112        0
  10. IllinoisUSC      0
  11. Steveg          0

Click the Link for a full accounting of week 8 games

https://trojandailyblog.com/tdb-football-contest-2024-week-8/

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
October 20, 2024 9:01 am

So where do we go from here? Stink’n Lincoln with his Stink’n Think’n! Stink’n Lincoln Think’n! Do you replace a guy still owed $70 million? We are stuck with him for how long? The rest of SC opponents must be smelling the chum and can’t wait. How much would LSU and Wisconsin like a do over? USC – UCLA could be the Battle for Last Place! Oh and check out who is in 1st place in the Sun Belt East! Maybe the California members of the former Pac 12 would like to come back, life was easier when you didn’t… Read more »

ATL D.D.S.
Major Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Offline
October 20, 2024 8:32 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Unless Henson and Linkin figure out how to make MM more of a moving target, no, I think we need to see what Maiva can do.
There is no threat of the run from miller on the RPO.

At least Maiva makes the defense respect the run on the RPO plays.

2manyyears
Genius Member
2manyyears
Offline
October 20, 2024 8:37 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Allen
I would consider it but with a caveat. MM has done an admirable job under the difficult circumstances he has been put in – garbage Oline, less than optimal play calling and WRs with dropsees(sp?). I would not want it to be done in a way that crushes his confidence and does not show any potential recruits that the coaching staff will throw you under the bus to save their own asses. On a related tangent, you don’t want to lose Maiva either if MM decides he has had enough after this year.

Chris
Major Genius
Chris
Offline
October 20, 2024 8:38 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Yes. Miller is who is is, we know it by now. Solid decision maker, not a great playmaker, and good for one critical mistake per game. JM will extend plays and give our WR’s time. He will run the RPO and be a threat to keep DE’s accountable, which helps our running game. He has a much stronger arm, which Miller has really struggled with. I think JM will be more turnover prone, but will also be a much bigger threat to make big plays. That’s enough for me. We are missing the knockout blow, maybe he provides it.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 20, 2024 12:23 pm
Reply to  Chris

Did you watch that kid for Sparty last night … his legs drove the Herkies crazy and while not a great passer, Smith put him into throws he could handle
LR is a genius he could do this for the 6’4 230 lbs fast as hell Maivia right

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
October 20, 2024 8:40 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Moss seemed to have time to go deep for once this season. Many of his passes were short. The great catches were guys having to come back for the ball. The interception was a short pass to a short in stature Branch. Moss either has a weak arm or injured. Either way he needs to be benched. I remember Utah losing to SDSU 3 years ago before replacing their QB with Cam Rising, look what happened to them.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 20, 2024 12:41 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

That pick … good grief! up 21-7,big 3rd down conversion to Duce, ball at Terp 41. Then that sloppy,ugly, back foot duck to a bad play waiting to happen Branch. Those two have no chemistry. Terrible call by LR on 1st down and terrible design since guy returned it 60 yds untouched down sideline.
A game manager he is not. No clue how to win in this stall ball, limited possessions league.
We all knew after that pick … we would lose to that awful team.

trojandn
Genius Member
trojandn
Offline
October 20, 2024 8:42 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Raising my hand for a change. Not Moss’s fault. The game has changed and he’s not “pocket” mobile. He’s shell shocked from all the hits he’s taken and he now panicked and his throws are not as accurate as they once were. Not blaming him for the losses…let’s give the backup a chance to see what he can do ✌️

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 20, 2024 12:32 pm
Reply to  trojandn

Has he really been hit anymore than any other qb … sure he gets a big hit here and there but did you see Manning and that other Texas qb get drilled every play last night vs Georgia. MM seems to flop a lot more than anything.

RialtoTrojan
Major Genius
RialtoTrojan
Offline
October 20, 2024 9:48 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

In the third quarter just to jolt Moss a bit. In the fourth quarter after the non roughing the passer play to allow Moss time in the medical tent. (If he came back out the psychological boost to his teammates would have been awesome)
The team has replacements for every position and rotates regularly except the quarterback. Does that make sense?

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 21, 2024 7:38 pm
Reply to  RialtoTrojan

Coaches are strange with qbs … takes an act of god for them to replace the starter or an amazing 75 yd TD run that Caleb did to Texas at OU. Maybe Maivia will do that.

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 20, 2024 12:04 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

As much as I like boss, I think Riley has ruined him and he now feels like he has to do it all on his own and presses way too hard. Unfortunately, it’s time for a change.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 20, 2024 12:21 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

At least some plays … did the wildcat at Minny ( to our 5’6 back ) now how about to the big boy who can actually throw it too. Be a nice option since run game is a two play scheme.

volunteerTrojan
Major Genius
October 20, 2024 1:26 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I haven’t seen enough of JM to be definitive, but Friday would be as good of a time as any to give him a shot.

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 20, 2024 8:03 am

Last year, Miami was about .500; this year they are undefeated. Difference, they have Cam Ward at QB. If SC had Cam Ward as QB, I think the Trojans would probably be 7-0. If Miller Moss were the QB at Miami this year, my guess is they would be 4-3 or 3-4. Matt Rhule is a great coach; his team just got routed 56-7. How about Kyle Whittingham at Utah? One of the all time greats. His team is now 4-3. Will Utah and NE stop supporting either their coaches or their teams? Remember, what if SC had paid Cam… Read more »

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 20, 2024 12:25 pm
Reply to  TrojanRJJ

Ruhle is not a great coach … not even close

Chris
Major Genius
Chris
Offline
October 20, 2024 6:48 am

It’s the same problem each week. Can’t protect well enough and can’t get any pressure from DLine. The exact thing everyone wondered prior to start of season. We have players everywhere but in trenches, which means we really do not have a team. Our defense is much more sound but can’t get off the field without gambling on blitzes. Our offense is playing at 75% because we cannot protect. Everyone knows it, so we face the same thing week after week. CLR is now faced with another sub par season due to a deficient roster and stubbornness to adjust. close… Read more »

TrojanRon
Noble Genius
TrojanRon
Offline
October 20, 2024 6:33 am

I’m done watching USC football on TV for the season. My doctors told me to live a low stress life after having open-heart surgery in late 2017. The last 3 games have really been stressful, especially yesterday. I will follow USC and continue to donate to the University like I do every year, even though it’s not much as I live on Social Security and a small pension from a former employer. I’ve always tried to give back to USC after earning a Bachelors and Masters in Business in the late 1970s. It always helped having those degrees when I… Read more »

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
October 20, 2024 8:47 am
Reply to  TrojanRon

USC is 30% into the Stink’n Lincoln contract at $100 million. What do you pay his replacement if he is replacing the $100 million man?

TrojanRon
Noble Genius
TrojanRon
Offline
October 21, 2024 4:29 am
Reply to  Golden Trojan

I’d recommend a lucrative contract, but not 10 years.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 20, 2024 12:29 pm
Reply to  TrojanRon

Just kick back and enjoy you were able to see SC win 5 national titles, a lot of Rose Bowls, Heismans, and beat ND many times, including 5 straight in South Bend. Anything else is gravy. That’s how I do it. College football is so different now, it’s just a novelty now.

TrojanRon
Noble Genius
TrojanRon
Offline
October 21, 2024 4:42 am
Reply to  USC1988

Thank you for your assurance and kind words, USC 1988! I saw my first game in 1965 when Mike Garrett was the featured running back. My grandparents came up from Glendale and took my family to the game in Palo Alto vs Stanford as we were living in Sacramento at the time. When my grandfather died two years later, we moved down to Glendale and lived in my grandmother’s house. She and my deceased grandfather had been USC season ticket holders since 1923. He had 2 law degrees from USC, 1916 and 1918. The seats were Tunnel 22, Row 44,… Read more »

RialtoTrojan
Major Genius
RialtoTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 11:31 pm

USC is scheduled to lose on Friday night next week. I’ll be at an ELO concert down the street, and will see the better show. The logic of playing an 8:00PM football game on a Friday night escapes me. Anyway if Stinkin-Lincoln trots out on the field, I hope the home crowd gives him an earful. Hold up signs satisfied Riley maybe a plane with a banner or a drone show expressing our displeasure. Somehow our AD should get the message the person claiming to be about winning championships, is a fraud unable to make game winning decisions.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 20, 2024 3:06 am
Reply to  RialtoTrojan

8 pm on a Friday night lol … thought this conference was so good
it’s a joke

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 9:58 pm

LenDale White

I’m gonna be completely honest Lincoln Riley should be embarrassed. They should probably do him like they did Lane Kiff.

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 9:59 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

This one is kind of funny
Did Lincoln Riley set 2 bluebloods back a decade in one move? Pretty impressive

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 10:01 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

Even Jake Olson
How many plays are we away from 7-0 now? Guys Michigan, Minnesota, & Maryland are such bad teams. Penn St will lose by 28 to Ohio St. we have taken 10 steps backwards since Helton. I’ll keep saying it and you’ll keep getting pissed, but careful running a winning coach out of town

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 10:04 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

How many pounds does USC need to add next season to go 9-3? Asking for a friend.

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 10:05 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

USC has held a fourth quarter lead in all seven of their games this season and has a losing record. Over the last 20 seasons, over 200 teams have had a 4th quarter lead in all seven games.

Only one other team has ever had a losing record

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 9:57 pm

comment image
LenDale White
@thereal_lendale
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I’m gonna be completely honest Lincoln Riley should be embarrassed. They should probably do him like they did Lane Kiff.

2manyyears
Genius Member
2manyyears
Offline
October 19, 2024 9:36 pm

It is becoming painful to watch my beloved college football team. I remember watching the John McKay teams of the late 60’s as a youngster. If you take out McKay, John Robinson and Pete, we really haven’t had any really good coaches. Great players, we have had tons of them. I’m sure many of those great players are embarrassed watching this edition of the Trojans. There are 5 games left. If this continues, any recruiting is going to be difficult and the portal is going to see an exodus rather than an influx. Mr. Riley has a deadly disease called… Read more »

Jalenbuck1
Genius Member
Jalenbuck1
Offline
October 19, 2024 8:59 pm

LSU sits in the top 10 at #8, seems they made adjustments after losing to SC, SC on the other hand had evaporated into last second losses 3 consecutive weeks, have yet to play a full game since LSU, blown leads against all of them. The offense struggles then the defense struggles. No adjustments are made, last week we got a glimpse of Joyner but this week its as if he didn’t exist, With a gamebreaker QB Riley is just an avg OC.

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
2manyyears
Genius Member
2manyyears
Offline
October 19, 2024 9:37 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

Agree 110%

ATL D.D.S.
Major Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Offline
October 20, 2024 8:44 am
Reply to  UtahTrojan

Looks like Matt Zemek has been reading the comments section in the Trojan Daily Blog….

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 8:23 pm

Defense has their own issues. USC gave up 518 yards to Penn State last week and was on the field for 107 plays against Maryland as the Terrapins had 429 total yards

TrojanMPA90
Noble Genius
TrojanMPA90
Offline
October 19, 2024 8:40 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

We have al lot of injured players on defense and playing a lot of young players so they sometimes struggle to get stops on 3rd down and get off the field.

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 8:44 pm
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

We are halfway through the season, all teams have injuries. Where is next man up mentality? Time for excuses is long past.

ATL D.D.S.
Major Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Offline
October 20, 2024 8:11 am
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

No depth on the lines thanks to Linkin’s rent a player mentality.

2manyyears
Genius Member
2manyyears
Offline
October 19, 2024 9:38 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

Seems like last year’s defence has returned.

TrojanMPA90
Noble Genius
TrojanMPA90
Offline
October 19, 2024 8:22 pm

While losing 3 in a row and losing 4 games in Big 10 play by a total of 14 points is tough as a USC alum I will keep rooting for this team. I hope they can turn it around and at least get to 6 wins and go to a bowl game.

This team is very young and we’re going in the right direction and building a program that will be good very soon.

Fight On!

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 8:27 pm
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

I really struggle with the right direction and the building part. Positive change was made on the defensive side, but how many of those coaches leave due to the train wreck of a head coach? Same head coach who still does not understand you need to get rid of dead weight (OL line coach). Also refuses to recognize the need to lock down LA recruiting? He can’t live in the transfer portal and actually build something.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 19, 2024 8:58 pm
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

Ya … we seen our share of big wins
everything else is gravy from here out
after LSU this is just disappointing… especially with our genius OC/HC just needing just 1 more 1st done in all 4 losses

Jamaica
Noble Genius
Jamaica
Online
October 19, 2024 8:10 pm

The team keeps finding new ways to lose games. This time the left side of the O-line gets blown off the LOS and blocks a field goal that would become a two score lead. But instead it turns the momentum around and now Maryland realizes this Trojan team is now vulnerable and can’t keep a lead in the 4th quarter. Another long flight home, one that has been traveled before and you wonder what the players are thinking, what the 2025 recruits are thinking and is the fanbase is ready to give up on this LR coached team? It is… Read more »

ATL D.D.S.
Major Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Offline
October 20, 2024 8:06 am
Reply to  Jamaica

I have needed many draught beers to go through this drought of bad offense oriented coaches since Kiffin.

RialtoTrojan
Major Genius
RialtoTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 7:44 pm

Well I keep coming here to see if Stinkin-Lincoln is still the millstone around USC’s neck. No news (on this subject) is bad news. I’ll go check for an email from the AD, then maybe Facebook. Who will break the news first?

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 19, 2024 6:58 pm

FG attempt was a joke … no chance he makes it
Our genius OC is a fraud Cannot even get 1st down when needed

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 6:13 pm

Just as I thought this season could not get any worse, I realized we still potentially have upcoming losses to ND and ucla.

trojandn
Genius Member
trojandn
Offline
October 19, 2024 6:17 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

You’re right. I think we beat Rutgers but the rest of the games could go either way. Ruins are playing much better football lately and ND has to win if they want to go to the playoff.

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 19, 2024 6:21 pm
Reply to  trojandn

A loss to USC this year would be devastating to any bowl aspirations for another team. Because USC is not a power 5 team.

trojandn
Genius Member
trojandn
Offline
October 19, 2024 6:03 pm

We attended the game today…good turnout of USC fans. In the midst of the celebration by the Maryland fans, I have to ask, has Riley lost “it”or did he never have “it.” These losses sting – all we can do is Fight On ✌️

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