USC Coach Lincoln Riley Affirms Commitment After Victory Over Ohio State
Following USC's significant win against No. 2 Ohio State, Coach Lincoln Riley reiterated his belief that he is the right person for the job, emphasizing the importance of internal support over external validation.
USC coach Lincoln Riley made a strong statement about his commitment to the program after the Trojans' 30-18 victory over No. 2 Ohio State. In a prepared statement at the post-game news conference, Riley expressed his belief that he is the right person to lead USC, stating, "This program's not built on internal joy — is, excuse me, built on internal joy. Not external applause." He dedicated the win to the staff, players, and administration, highlighting the importance of their support.
This victory marks a crucial moment for Riley, especially following a disappointing loss to Wisconsin that had seen USC drop out of the AP Top 25. The Trojans executed two significant plays against a strong Ohio State defense, with Trent Mosley scoring a 69-yard touchdown and Mark Bowman making a 70-yard catch-and-run that led to the game-clinching score.
With this win, USC remains in contention for the College Football Playoff, needing to secure victories against No. 4 Indiana and No. 7 UCLA in the coming weeks. Riley noted the unpredictable nature of the season, stating, "The teams that just hang in there, keep going, get better, stay together are going to be the ones that are there at the end."