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USC coach Lincoln Riley celebrates while holding the Las Vegas Bowl trophy following the Trojans’ win over Texas A&M at Allegiant Stadium Friday night. (David Becker / Getty Images)
Lincoln Riley was beaming.
The USC coach said he saw it when his team came back from an 17-point deficit against Texas A&M to claim a 35-31 victory in the Las Vegas Bowl.
He said he could feel it in the locker room.
“There’s a toughness and a hardness that’s developing within this program right now,” Riley said.
But how much should be made of this?
As much as Riley raved about the resilience of the Trojans, the reality is they were a 7-6 team this season.
Read more: USC makes season-ending statement in thrilling Las Vegas Bowl comeback over Texas A&M
Mental fortitude is important, but so is physical talent and USC looks as if it could be short on that in various parts of the field again next year.
On the offensive line. On the defensive line. In the secondary. At quarterback.
Sophomore receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon had showcase games against Texas A&M, but don’t forget that Miller Moss threw six touchdown passes in the Holiday Bowl last year. Moss was supplanted as USC’s starting quarterback last month and has since transferred to Louisville.
Moss’ replacement, Jayden Maiava, was inconsistent in his three regular-season starts, and he was inconsistent again on Friday night, as three of his passes were intercepted before he led the Trojans’ comeback.
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava looks to pass under pressure from Texas A&M defensive lineman Cashius Howell during the Las Vegas Bowl Friday. (David Becker / Getty Images)
Riley can be applauded for his developing a never-give-up culture, but he doesn’t have many believers outside of his own locker room.
The 400 sections, which are made up of the upper-most seats at Allegiant…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/hern-ndez-usc-players-stepped-130052765.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-12-28 13:00:00
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