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The USC Trojans stood seconds away from the biggest win in Lincoln Riley’s tenure when the third-year coach pointed to his eyes and delivered one final message.
Lock in, and make one last stop.
Riley’s Trojans showed a backbone, while Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers shriveled in another season opener.
If No. 23 USC plays with the defense and discipline it showed in a 27-20 statement win against No. 12 LSU on Sunday in Las Vegas, then Riley’s best days aren’t behind him.
Riley’s got another budding star quarterback — of course he does. Finding someone to sling it is never Riley’s issue. Cue Miller Moss, who made big throws in pressure moments to rip open an LSU secondary that’s surrendered its DBU reputation.
But, the grit USC showed? We’re not used to that.
The Vegas novelty act looked good on Riley’s Trojans.
Many have wondered what Riley could achieve if he ever fielded a defense with a flutter of a pulse. Or a team that showed half as much physicality and tackling as glitz and glamour.
We didn’t wonder Sunday. We saw it.
USC Trojans play Big Ten ball vs. LSU
Riley won a game in which his team scored only 13 points through three quarters. The Trojans earned that Big Ten patch on their uniform. They delivered key third- and fourth-down stops. They capitalized on LSU’s dumb penalties and limited their own mistakes.
At times, each team looked the part of playoff contender. The more principled team won.
In Riley’s first two USC seasons, the former Oklahoma coach furthered his reputation as a quarterback savant who cared little about defense or the fine details required to win national championships. His past Trojan teams were penalty machines. They needed every ounce of Caleb Williams’ stardom to overcome deficiencies elsewhere.
For one night, anyway, USC delivered a complete performance, while Kelly fumed at the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/lincoln-riley-novelty-act-looks-134139200.html
Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2024-09-02 13:41:39
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