For much of the 2025 season, Lincoln Riley’s roster has been faring well. A 5-1 record for a team whose head coach was shifting uneasily on his $90 million hot seat. USC was rolling smoothly, undefeated over four games. But Riley’s blunder against Illinois, culminating in a close two-point loss, stung, and the locker room in South Cal is still angry.

Before their 32-34 loss to Illinois, the Trojans looked commanding and poised in every game. They didn’t give even an inch to their first four opponents. But if one loss is bad, then two losses can become a streak, and no one wants that. Last Saturday, USC took care of business against Michigan, handing their guests an embarrassing 31-13 defeat. USC entered the game off a bye week. That meant they had an extra week to lament their loss. In his media appearance on October 16, Trojans CB DeCarlso Nicholson was asked their practice ahead of the Michigan game.

“Well, you know, we’re coming off a loss, so focused, angry, unhappy,” shared Nicholson. The CB has so far contributed 12 tackles this season, in addition to one sack against the Illini. The Trojans’ faithful were upset about why the head coach didn’t try to bleed more time at the end of the fourth quarter in that game.

By the end of the third quarter, the Illini had the lead. But Makai Lemon’s two touchdowns for 19 and 16 yards reduced the deficit in the next quarter. The Trojans finally had a one-point lead in the game, with 1:55 remaining on the clock. But that was enough for Illinois to advance the ball for a 41-yard field goal.

Naturally, after a biting defeat, the win over Michigan was a relief. But as Nicholson puts it, the emotions haven’t changed much. “Really, the same. Especially like Coach Tru (USC Strength and Conditioning coach, Coach Truman Carroll) says, we still ain’t a certain word. We still ain’t nothing. I’ll say that. So, just and we are going to get everybody’s best shot, man.”

They are focused on improving, with the taste of the defeat three weeks ago still fresh in their mouths. “Just trying to do our job the best we can every day and every week,” he added. So, moving on, where does the emphasis lie?

They will face off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this Saturday. “Just playing hard,” the CB replied. “Playing smart, playing fast, playing, you know, mistake-free, clean, and passionate for each other. And, just go get the job done; they’re (the roster) well-knit or whatever, but I just can’t say enough about my guys,” added Nicholas, calling his teammates great players.

But Riley’s decision has still got fans miffed.

Lincoln Riley on Illinois blunder

The head coach should have tried to drain more time; that was the sentiment post-game for the Trojans faithful. “But if you bleed clock and don’t score, it doesn’t matter anyway. So you’ve gotta score,” said Riley post-game.

“We thought about it. We knew they were probably going to try to be aggressive,” Riley continued. “It was a base, quick-game play for us, and Jayden made a great read. In that moment, when you’re down five, it’s not like you can just sit there and be too cute with it. You’re playing a really good defense on the road. Scoring is not easy.” Jayden Maiava completed 30 of his 43 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns to WR Makai Lemon and rushed for another 12-yard TD.

Lincoln Riley has had just one defeat this season so far. But his overall record against ranked teams is still a concern. The Week 8 matchup against their rivals at South Bend is another chance for the head coach to prove his critics wrong.