For the past few games, Lincoln Riley’s USC Trojans have hit a trend. One win, one loss, one win, one loss. As they recover from a 34-24 heartbreak against Notre Dame, a question looms among the fans. Which was worse on Saturday, Riley’s play calling, or USC’s lack of toughness? The Trojans’ head coach had caught the heat for the play call on USC’s disastrous fourth-quarter fumble. Finally, he cleared the air. 

On October 21, USC beat writer Ryan Kartje posted a clip of Riley’s interview. The analyst had asked him about the most important lesson he’s learned as a play-caller. Riley replied, “You can’t be scared. You can’t. You’ve gotta call what you believe is best in the moment. Not what fans think or announcers think or anybody else.” Maybe that was a blunt reply to the ones who are now dragging Riley through the mud. 

Down by three in the fourth, USC looked to spark a comeback after Jayden Maiava connected deep with Makai Lemon. A trick play aimed at Lemon backfired, though, as Notre Dame’s Christian Gray forced a fumble, killing the momentum. Later, a failed fourth-and-inches pass sealed USC’s struggles.

What could’ve been a comeback drive turned into a calamity. In one soggy snap, the Trojans’ momentum, and the game flipped completely. But in his latest interview, Riley pretended as if nothing had happened on his end. He continued, “You know, your preparation, your guys, your coaches, and I just, I think a lot of times fear inhibits people when they’re calling plays of what might happen. And I just, I was fortunate to grow, you know, around some guys that called games with absolutely zero fear, and I got a, I got a feel of that.”

Riley has served as the assistant under Mike Leach at Texas Tech. Since Leach arrived at Texas Tech in 2000, the quarterback position has been nothing short of legendary. Then, in East Carolina, Ruffin McNeill took Riley under his wings. “There’s a difference between, you know, not having fear and not doing, making dumb calls. And obviously, try to avoid as many of those as you can,” Riley wrapped up his take. 

Even though the Trojans’ head coach initially defended his calls, during the post-game press conference, he took more accountability. Riley promised, “I’ve gotta be way better for our guys.” Along with Riley, his quarterback, too, had to pay a heavy price. Now, what did he learn?

What Jayden Maiava feels about Lincoln Riley

“I just played shi—y. I have to be better for my teammates,” that was Maiava’s reaction after the Notre Dame game. Against Notre Dame, he came up with 328 yards and two touchdowns. But he refused to lay the blame on the HC’s doorstep. Given the heat Riley has caught up because of his playcalling, the quarterback came up with a positive review. 

“I got a ton of confidence, honestly. And I’m sure all the other 10 guys out there with me have a ton of confidence. I mean, it’s Lincoln Riley, so I don’t think anybody doubts his play-calling. You know, just the history that he’s had. I mean, I don’t doubt it for one second,” said Maiava. “When you’re playing somewhere like USC, it seems like the scrutiny comes up a lot quicker, like after one or two plays.” Lincoln Riley played quarterback himself as a walk-on player at Texas Tech and was known for his “Air Raid” offensive scheme.

Coaching is in his DNA. After serving as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator under Bob Stoops, he took over as head coach at just 31, and eventually brought his genius to USC. In 2022, Riley’s Trojans made history: they set USC records for passing yards, attempts, touchdowns, and interceptions, turning the air attack into a precision machine. But in college football, nobody is ready to dwell in the past.

As Snoop Dogg could not sugarcoat his words, and came with a blunt reaction. “Who calls a reverse pass to a non-quarterback in the rain ☔ damn coach what u sm–ing 🫵🏿🤔,” came the icon’s review for the USC Trojans’ problematic call. So, Lincoln Riley better walk his talk.