FOOTBALL

USC Morning Buzz: Riley Makes QB Change Per Report

Lincoln Riley has chosen the bye week to make a change at quarterback and will give Jayden Maiava his first start on Nov. 16 against Nebraska, according to Connor Morrissette.

So Riley, who has denied whenever asked that he would bench Miller Moss, waited until Game 10 to do it. It’s a little late in terms of saving the season but I guess better late than never.

This is the QB guru/whisperer in action. Bumble around, wait nine games while your offense is hamstrung and then spring the change for the final three regular-season games. Brilliant!

Riley could have avoided this pickle if he had some packages for Maiava earlier in the season. For example, the 4th-and-goal at the 1-yard line against Washington would have been a perfect place for Maiava to come in and try a run-pass option play.

That might have won the game for the Trojans and the overall record would look better today. Moss was 0 for 5 when trying to bring USC back against Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, Penn State and Washington.

You have to admire Moss for his loyalty to USC. But USC needs to upgrade its QB play and frankly should have done it much earlier in the season.

Not everyone will think it’s a great move. Former USC QB Max Browne cautioned against it on Twitter.

“Jayden Maiava was very productive last year but he played in the “Go-Go” offense at UNLV. It’s an **entirely** different passing attack than traditional offenses. Tons of man coverage, simpler reads, limited full field progressions.”

Frankly, I’d welcome a “Go-Go” offense from Riley.

  • Who has Riley developed this season? Moss? Zacariah Branch? Ja’Kobi Lane? Duce Robinson? You don’t think any of those receivers will consider their options after the season?

Branch was labeled by some “the most explosive player in college football” for 2024. Now he doesn’t even return kickoffs.

One could say Makai Lemon has developed and had a few good games recently. But remember, Lemon was moved to cornerback at one point last season.

32 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: Riley Makes QB Change Per Report”

  1. To the contrary, it was a dogged dedication to “development” of MM that was part of USC’s demise. Riley sticks with his QB’s because that is all he is – a QB coach. He puts QB’s first over wins. Wrong message to send. Jake Jensen can run the ball as well.

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    1. I hope Moss hits the portal. He was a total disgrace and the main reason the season went south.

      It might be the worst QB play I have ever seen at the D1 level, it was that bad. He was constantly missing open receivers with bad ball placement and should have had 4 INTs in the last game

      Riley owes Maiava an apology.

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      3. xxxx. You really are an idiot with zero football iq. Your stupidity on the qb situation is comical. Your boy better light it up against Nebraska or you’ll have to move back to moms basement

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      4. Aaron Corp’s 2009 performance against Washington is still #1 on my list. But forgot about Reggie Perry as buddhakarma mentioned eartlier.

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  6. wow!…….it’s only taken Riley 9 games to realize Moss was a f u c k-ing fraud. I heard MG is all sad over the Moss benching, that he gave Moss an extra c o c k sucking

    Hey MG…….you look like a f u c king idiot.

    I could tell Moss was a fraud by watching the spring game……the kid has two speeds, slow and slower, and is not very athletic

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  8. To ‘Miller-Time’s credit the Michigan loss that started this Season’s slide is not on Moss, he had that game won but for the ‘bruin’ defense allowing a 63-yarder

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  9. -And in all SC’s losses Miller had the team ahead to start the 4th quarter. He needed a great Trojan defense to hold down the score, which of course was not to be

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  13. Moss isn’t the same QB as he was in the Holiday Bowl last year or against LSU. Arm strength and accuracy were so much better then than now. He struggles now to make a 30 yard throw. I don’t believe he had one completion over 15 yards against Rutgers. The HC is the bigger problem. He should have made the change once Moss showed signs he was losing arm strength, which prob happened when he landed on his head and shoulder a few weeks ago.

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    1. 67: I suppose that getting drilled by 300 lbs. defensive players 5 or more times a game may have an effect on your psyche if not your follow through and delivery.

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      1. You know it, brother. Moss is a gamer, but he has taken a lot of pounding this season. Maiava is 6’4″, 230 lbs, time for some RPOs, let the o-line focus on run blocking, which might stop Mason Murphy’s “happy feet”…

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  14. Someone in this string had the right take- our dingus of a HC still is running the show- so, Maiva could look and play like a complete stud but Woody is still managing the game which means a supposedly winnable game with 2 weeks of prep will be a disorganized S show complete with:

    Erratic play calling, untimely penalties, poor clock management, avoiding running the ball and that amazing ability to stand in front of the post game press interview and say how great his team played despite it being a loss or a close win against a poor opponent.

    Press play, and then rewind and press play again- that is this season in a nutshell.

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