FOOTBALL

USC-Penn State Live Blog

Lincoln Riley after game: “No sigh of relief. We came in here against a hot . . . Everybody in the country counted us out.”
A hot what? Opponent? Penn State was humiliated last week and is not a good team. What the heck is he talking about?

And just like that, the middle gets exposed but a fumble masks it

I don’t know what USC will do when it faces a QB who can throw over the middle?

Is 31-23 a comfortable lead with 11:11 remaining?

OK, Penn State’s defense looked like last week on that drive. USC 24, Penn State 20.

So Lincoln Riley gifted Penn State a field goal to start the second half. Good idea!

Mike Ekeler, special teams savant.

Tied at halftime, 17-17. Well, this isn’t the Penn State team that faced Northwestern.

Trotting a kicker out for his first field goal of season with more than 100,000 at a White Out and from 56 yards is a choice

Well, it took 3:37 for Penn State to score another TD and tie the game. USC’s defense is awful. What else?

Good to see Tanook Hines finally looking like his 2025 self.

I don’t know if I can handle one more game with Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge.

Well, the USC secondary still can’t cover anyone. And the defense literally covered no one on that TD play.

Trent Mosley is back and catches a TD on the first drive of the game.

Elijah Paige is not dressed and will not play.

Trent Mosley is dressed and participated in warmups. Mark Bowman is out.

92 thoughts on “USC-Penn State Live Blog”

  3. Bruins make Riaola look bad, SC, not so much. Bruins are also better than SC by a mile with half the talent.

    Sark does Sark

    Will Riley be Riley on the road? I’m guessing yes.

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      1. Did they save Riley from himself? I just finished reading comments by fans on reddit. Summarizing, most seem to feel that Riley redeemed himself, brought a new level of discipline, and made a “statement” with this win.

        Yet, a smaller minority of comments essentially stated that a really bad Penn St team made LR look good. What everyone agreed on: regardless of how this season goes, USC does not have the funds to fire LR and to hire a top tier coach. Curious how most see today’s win on this website.

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  8. I miss old SC, with a running game, suffocating defense, electrifying special teams and a passing game which was at least as good as Stinkin Piley’s at its best.

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      1. The Big Question: Will Jayden hit open receivers in 2nd half?

        [Like he did last week, he’s blowing some potentially big gainers with high throws]….

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  11. I really didn’t like the look on Lincoln’s face during his interview at the half —he looked freaked out…

    #HopeHeDoesn’tSpookTheTeamAgain…..

    #[We’llKnowRightAwayIfHeDid]…..

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      2. Speaking of which, Lanning had Ducks go for two early in game, which forced him to go for two later. They got stuffed twice. Otherwise game was tied at end. Going for two and not making it almost always backfires on you, you end up chasing the points later. Wonder if the OR press will roast him a bit, he deserves it.

        #He’sNoChip

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      3. My god- LR will make this game closer- as usual, against inferior talent. He’s a magician- he can magically turn a sure win into a nail biter. The guys a moron

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  12. Did you hear earlier Blackledge say USC’s new special teams coach has done “an excellent job” this year since coming from Nebraska, right before we missed (yet another) kick? Now a botched onside kick. 

    Considering this is the third game in a row on NBC I guess he watches games with his eyes closed

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    2. Yes! We’ve beaten one bad and one mediocre team the past 2 weeks!

      WOO-HOO!!

      The only change from my Sep 14 prediction is that UCLA will no longer be a toss up. I think they will be our 4th loss. 8-4 is not horrible for most schools. But not what we expected in LR’s 5th year.

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      2. KAM: You would think Cowardly Gabby would be overjoyed that her Bruins beat Oregon… but no!

        DON: Her only purpose in life is to haunt a USC sports blog. What a loser!

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  18. not to be a Negative Nabob, but the way Riley was jumping up and down at the games conclusion was embarrassing. then he told the interviewer “we came in here against all the odds” really?? Penn St was unranked and is now 3-3. how bout act like you’ve been there before? seemed like in his mind his job was on the line in Happy Valley today (although i don’t think SC is gonna pay that dough no matter what he does this season)

    #scully

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    1. Ha! Gotta admit, that was indeed embarrassing. No way USC can pony up that kind of money for his buyout, not to even mention that the cupboards would further be emptied for a new coach if they did.

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      2. Not to mention that he would be required to seek employment. Top OCs make $2-3 a year. That would be deducted from the $11-12M we paid him over the next 5 years.

        Yes, we can “pony up that kind of money”. But will we?

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    2. Said the exact same thing to my wife when we saw him jumping up & down and giggling.

      I said it a few weeks ago. He’s like a guy who thinks he’s tough by beating up people who are much weaker than he is. You know, the type of person who would expect someone else to drive 100 miles to back up the sh*t she talks online.

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      1. it’s had to imagine someone weaker than Riley even in the coaching ranks. e.g. i believe even 74 yr old Gary Patterson would probably throttle him with moderate effort.

        #TheAntiCharlesAtlas

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    3. Oh ‘Charles’ let’s not get too personal re. Riley’s emotions on display at the end of a victory…..dost thou not recall that former ‘prezidente’ Charles Young 6th October 1990 bel-air tech vs AZ…..there it was a moment in decorum and poise ‘President’ Charles Young in an apoplectic rant scurrying down the sidelines – the fury in his patrician eyes brought all to await his diktat to the scullion officials “….I’ll have you shot!” but alas here in CA even in 1990 the edict was “….your white privilege is seen by all – but not mine – I’m a white male demoncrat! You curs!” Man if anyone looked like ‘….’white privilege’…it was Charlie…a poor man’s version of former ‘hiz honor’ John Lindsay.

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      1. the Imperious Charles “Chuck” young was quite a character. he was already a rarely seen emperor in his ivory tower by the time i was there, never saw him once. but he did have a sense of humor about himself, his favorite story was how he was driving thru campus observing a Vietnam War protest and Walton leans out of the crowd right up to his window and with middle finger extended yells “F%#@ you, Chuck!!”

        #TrueGutty

        Liked by 1 person

  19. What did we see in Saturday? Maiava playing like a top 5 pick and UCLA deploying a high school offense. The punch out fumble showed some upgraded practice coaching from grandpa. USC is coalescing around the best pure passer and receiver room in FBS and will destroy Westwood but I think the gutties get mugged a couple times on the way as teams expose their 5-7 scatback and 3rd string QB Dumbledorf.

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    2. Lot of truth in your musings romperroom but not too fast per Bel-Air Tech. Yes they took advantage of a horrible offensive game plan by the calming self-controlled Lanning with what some 7 turnovers and yet they look good even accounting for the fact they are Bel-Air Tech. I heartily second your thoughts about USC – Maiava had poise as did PA St’s QB but USC’s defense rose and the coup de grace was that ‘punch out’ after the reception with 4 minutes to go. Yes PA St. did have 1 more drive but that play reminded one of the PC days esp that annihilation of IA in the Orange Bowl in 2003.

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  20. Did I watch the same game as every other Trojan?– Seemed exciting and fulfilling enough and Maiava and Mosley were fun to watch

    By the way, my guess of 31-24 was only off by 1-point, but my 51-0 SC estimate was way off

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    2. Cowardly Gabby/Sparrow, the game was certainly exiting, but that is just it! Games against poor to mediocre teams should NOT be this entertaining. It only means that we are going to have little to no chance against good teams.

      That is not what USC football should be, especially after a coach has been with us for 5 years. He is no longer in the rebuilding stage.

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      1. KAM: Thay was a game that would have been a blowout in the second half under a competent USC coach.

        DON: There’s no killer instinct with Riley Coyote teams and Penn State had a chance to tie it up late.

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      4. Please stop using real gabby’s username.

        Just post under your own name.

        “There are Rules”

        —Travolta in Pulp Fiction

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  21. KAM: Wiley heard the “Fire Lincoln” jeers last week, and said after the Penn St win that “They will change their cheers now”

    DON: Sorry Wiles but reputations are hard to change, and don’t read any of the SC websites this morning

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  22. KAM: You just knew the day would come when an opposing coach would complain about the talent and money disparity between colleges

    DON: The Penn St coach said his school only spends $30-million for its roster compared to about $40-million for SC

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    1. KAM: The Penn State coach’s whining is like the billionaire baseball owners complaining because the Dodgers pay more for players than they do. Penn State is #2 in the country in CEO alumni. It’s up to him to get these rich Penn State alums to pony up.

      DON: The worst MLB Commissioner of all time, Rob Manfred, is trying to pressure the baseball players to accept a salary cap to protect his bosses the billionaire owners profits during the playoffs.

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  23. KAM: There were some positives for SC like a drastic reduction in penalties, the defense giving up few rushing yards, and Maiava having a fine day

    DON: Those positives are balanced against the fact that Penn St has no rushing attack on either side of the ball as Maiava had up to 5-seconds to find receivers

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  24. KAM: There were a lot of close games yesterday but LSU-Kentucky took the prize

    DON: There was one negative as Alabama had a legitimate beef over its pass interference non-call

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  25. KAM: So the SC team is 6-1 and now receives a well-deserved bye week before going to Wisconsin and coming home for Ohio St

    DON: Forget Oregon, the Ohio St game could be the game of the year for SC

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    1. KAM: Good thing Riley Coyote dropped Notre Dame from the schedule. They are a powerhouse this year.

      DON: Yes it would be ugly.

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      3. Don’t mean to sound sour grapey —but — I watched that “roughing” penalty that gave Oregon the ball back after we stopped ’em cold & it was totally bullsh*t …it was as much a gift to Oregon as the non call in yesterday’s Alabama game….

        #RefsCanDecideCloseGames

        Liked by 2 people

  26. Hard to believe there are any negative comments after this win! Yes, our defense is rediculously bad, but beating even an average team on a tough road trip, and in one of the toughest places to play in college football is not only surprising during the Riley era, but also quite an accomplishment. Trent Mosley our freshman WR is going to win the Heisman at some point so talented, but we will not make the playoffs unless the defensive line, linebackers, and defensive backs improve. It is hard to believe how bad the defensive line gets pushed backed on key short yardage downs by the opponent, and there is very rarely pressure on the QB.

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    1. After hearing crap from us [and almost everyone else] Lincoln had just cause to celebrate the victory. Our guys traveled thousands of miles into a den of iniquity ….and prevailed.

      #It’sOkayToBeHappy

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  27. As Bucket mentioned, Riley jumping up and down like he won the Super Bowl is just another example of how clueless he is. Did you see Chesney going crazy after beating Oregon on the road with a backup QB? Nope!

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    1. You’d have thought he the coach of unranked Oklahoma having just taken down #1 Texas! Venables was very excited, but not jumping up & down like a fool.

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  28. DON: Wiley jumping up and down after the Penn St victory was a bit bush

    KAM: But the guy has been under a ton of strain and figured he better win at Penn St or else

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    1. John — are we at the point where we criticize a coach for feeling pumped after an upset victory in a VERY hostile stadium…?

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  30. A win is a win especially against a traditionally good program in an extremely hostile environment. I try to remember however that perfection is the enemy of the good. And, this team is far from perfect in any aspect of the game. I don’t object to anyone celebrating after the game, football is an emotional game so jumping up and down when it is over is far better than juice boxes jumping around during the game. Great to have Mosely back, he is a true difference maker. MG, you are right about the possible three losses, but don’t overlook Wisconsin in Madison, another good team in another hostile stadium. I was rooting for the Bruins yesterday and they didn’t disappoint. Chesney looks like the Cignetti of 2026. It would be fantastic if SC and UCLA both win out or at least both have playoff hopes going into their game. It would be a better game than Michigan-Ohio State or Auburn-Alabama, just like it was in the 1960’s. Fight on, Dan, Class of 1962

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    1. When we’re both at full strength on offense UCLA is no match for USC —but their defense is playing very well. That showdown is going to be fun!

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      1. Early Prediction for USC/UCLA game….

        Score tied at 96 after 4 overtimes…and called cuz of lightning….

        #TieKeepsBothTeamsOutOfPlayoffs

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      2. Strength against strength should make for a great game. I’m just so glad to see Oregon become irrelevant in the national title picture. Thanks for the great comment. Fight on, Dan, Class of 1962

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    2. That’s what I’m sensing ambitious – the slow accretion into a real team. These are mostly freshman and they’re now seeing each other’s skills and habits that no coaching can ever convey – has to be ‘sensed’ by each other. This is why the schedule is a good steady rise in challenge and the loss to OR is what all teams need to realize – anyplace any day nothing is certain.
      It’s why I have contempt for ‘the princess’ and their ‘dancing card’ with patsies, save BYU, as partners for the entire year. It’s why NYY got swept by TAM. They assumed, as ‘the princess’ does every year, it was their due. When it mattered it was evident they weren’t playing as a ‘team’ and performed like it – theynhadn’t been tested.

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