QUARTERBACK
I thought this was Miller Moss’s worst game of the season. His touch was off on some key passes, most notably the third-down pass to Duce Robinson that was intercepted. The game plan minimized his role but he couldn’t come through in the clutch.
Grade: D+
RUNNING BACK
If you told me Woody Marks and Quinten Joyner would rush for 193 yards, I’d have said USC probably wins comfortably. It’s not their fault the defense can’t cover a tight end. They also deserved more than 23 carries.
Grade: A-
WIDE RECEIVERS
Ja’Kobi Lane and Zacariah Branch combined to catch four passes for 24 yards. The week before it was 5 catches for 23 yards. They were supposed to be the playmakers. Just another thing that hasn’t turned out as expected.
Grade: C+
OFFENSIVE LINE
Here’s the deal: Lincoln Riley’s entire game plan was based upon the fact he had zero confidence in his line’s ability to block the Penn State defensive ends. So it handcuffed the offense. They did fine on run blocking but had less responsibility on pass blocking, which cost USC.
Grade: C-
DEFENSIVE LINE
Anthony Lucas made an impact despite not being 100 percent and Desman Stephens had an interception but otherwise it was a very neutral performance.
Grade: C+
LINEBACKER
Easton Mascarenas-Arnold had 13 tackles but this group played their part in allowing Tyler Warren to catch 17 passes. I don’t actually think the past few games have been much different than last season.
Grade: C-
DEFENSIVE BACK
Some of you are probably pleased with the secondary. But remember that Tyler Warren was uncovered the whole game; that Drew Allar passed for 382 yards and did you see the coverage on Warren’s trick play TD catch? It was like there were mannequins in the secondary.
Grade: D+
SPECIAL TEAMS
Does anyone even watch USC punt and kick returns with anticipation anymore? I felt sorry for Michael Lantz. Being asked to kick a 45-yard FG in overtime shows how poor the offense was doing.
Grade: B
COACHING
Mr. Clock Management strikes again. For the umpteenth time. Where did this guy get his reputation with this ability to botch the end of halves and games?
So he had the team better prepared to play at the outset. They just took the second half off. I suspect he feels clueless at the moment on how to get his team prepared to play four quarters.
And the $2 million kid was caught off guard on trick plays/formations while doing an Alex Grinch impression on covering the tight end, who caught more passes than the rest of the team combined. Do something D’Anton!
Grade: F
InsideUSC with Scott Wolf 
Whoa, tell us what you’re really thinking, Wolfie, but those were some solid attacks on the SC defense, offense, special teams and coaches
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It was like the Utah game last year when a sure win was somehow botched at the end and stunned SC Fans were left with mouths agape.
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But continually giving Wiley an ‘F’ grade with each loss is spiteful, we get it you don’t like the guy
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It’s not a personality contest about “liking or not liking” Lincoln Riley. He’s screwing up badly, he’s in over his head and he’s not a good coach. Call it like it is.
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He gets the grade he deserves
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Lincoln Riley deserves an F- for that two minute drill at the end of the game. SC had Penn State on the ropes and they let up. John McKay is rolling over in his grave.
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The A- grade for the 2 runners was well-earned, running the ball for distance is more exciting than merely throwing it, and Woody had a handful of long, tough runs
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The pressure is off, SC doesn’t have to worry about trying to get in to the ‘Final-12 Teams’ tournament anymore, the second half of the Season is just for the fun of it
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Yes, that is what USC football has become, playing for the ” fun of it “
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Yeah, this is just so much “fun”, isn’t it?
Raise your standards.
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It’s October 14th and the season is over.
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-With nothing at stake will some of the Trojan players take the time off?–Maybe not, most of them are fighting for jobs
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Why risk injury with the NFL beckoning?
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Absolutely agree it was Miller’s worst game of the year. He missed a bunch of throws. Hit even one of them and we probably win. With a gameplan like Riley drew up, the QB has to come through when called on.
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Moss has been mostly serviceable but imagine this team if Celeb had stayed for his senior year
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Imagine this team with a head coach who didn’t have his head up us arse
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As far as CLR’s clock management skills, I saw that first hand in 2021 in the Red River Shootout against Texas. OU had the ball with a timeout left and the clock running down at the Texas 35 yard line. CLR did not call a timeout but the OU running back broke one for a 35 yard TD. When he crossed the goal line there two seconds left. If he had been tackled short I’m not sure OU would’ve gotten a TO called and lost the game. To me, it was just foolish to gamble like that. As far as offensive philosophy, you should always play to your strengths, and right now, USC’s strength is running the football. But CLR’s ego keeps getting in the way and he keeps throwing the ball.
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On its final drive of regulation, USC had the ball at Penn State‘s 49 with 1:47 left and got off three more plays (ending in an INT). Unbelievable!
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It was as if LR thought he could redeem those 3 timeouts for some sort of prize after the game, if he didn’t use them!
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Oh well, onward and forward 2500 miles to Maryland is the next stop for the ‘Travelling Trojans’
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I’m going just to see what a small, edible turtle looks like. Perhaps our Trojans will be hungry.
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THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED
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Riley is done in my books. Yes he is the head coach, but he is not head coach material.
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