After last year’s loss to Notre Dame, USC had circled its Week 8 matchup at South Bend as a chance for redemption. But once again, Lincoln Riley’s Trojans (5-2) couldn’t finish the job. The Trojans had their moments on both sides of the ball, but they just couldn’t put a complete game together. When the offense clicked, the defense let Jeremiyah Love have a field day. The opposite happened in the second half. Two Interceptions, a fumble, and a kickoff return! Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. We also saw some shocking play-calling, and Lincoln Riley accepted his share of the blame after the game.

Towards the end of the 3rd quarter, USC hit a wall. Surprisingly, it happened after Jayden Maiava connected with Ja’Kobi Lane for a 59-yard touchdown pass to take a 24-21 lead. 15 seconds later, Jadarian Price returned USC’s kick for a touchdown, and the guests were trailing again.

On the next drive, Notre Dame’s Christian Gray intercepted Maiava, but the Irish still didn’t pull away. They missed the field goal, and the score was still 27-24. But USC couldn’t take advantage of that. In his post-game comments, Riley took note of where he went wrong in the rivalry matchup.

“I had the reverse pass and two fourth-down calls that weren’t very good calls and didn’t put our guys in very good positions. I’ve gotta be way better for our guys,” admitted Riley. “We just flat out did not play good enough tonight against a good team on the road and had some missed opportunities that make you sick.” But that wasn’t the only mistake he made against the Irish.

Down by three in the fourth, Maiava finally found a spark and made a 42-yard strike to Makai Lemon. But then came the gamble, and USC dialed up a trick play, putting the ball back in Lemon’s hands to throw. This time, before the magic could happen, Notre Dame’s Christian Gray tackled him and forced a fumble. And just like that, Lemon failed to hold on. But Riley didn’t hesitate to explain that call in his own way.

According to USC insider Ryan Kartje, “Lincoln Riley said the trick play he dialed up for Makai Lemon that led to his back-breaking fumble was ‘a stupid call.'” Despite all these missed opportunities, Riley didn’t lose hope, as he knows the potential of his team.

“That’ll be the challenge of this team, is to handle this, to learn from it. We just flat out have to be better,” said the USC HC. Now, while the HC accepted his share of mistakes, the star QB didn’t hide his emotions after the loss.

Lincoln Riley’s QB1 explains the Irish loss

USC had leaned on its run game in recent weeks. But against the Irish, the Trojans entered the game with injuries in the RB room. Jayden Maiava had to carry a heavier load, and it looked like a good call in the first quarter. However, the QB1 had his share of plays he’d want to change. “I just played shi-ty. I have to be better for my teammates,” stated Maiava. He still made some plays that kept the game close. 9 of his passes gained 15 yards or more. But the 3rd quarter interception just derailed the offense.

Now, the loss leaves USC with two defeats and no margin for error in the playoff chase. That’s why Riley left nothing to chance and reminded his team of OSU’s response after a rivalry loss last season.

“In this new age of college football, with all the parity right now, anything is possible,” stated Riley. Looking ahead, he added, “I don’t worry too much about the future. Just in the moment right now. And every game means a whole hell of a lot to us.” Now, while Riley expected a serious response from his team, Maiava also stepped up his game. It remains to be seen whether their combined effort will help the Trojans regain their winning streak.