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Lincoln Riley under fire after USC loses in heartbreaking fashion to Maryland
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Lincoln Riley and USC have lost another close game, dropping them to 3-4 overall and 1-4 in the Big Ten. It’s the Trojans’ third straight loss.
The Trojans held a 28-14 lead over Maryland early in the 4th quarter. But the Terrapins battled back, winning 29-28 as quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. ran it in from 3 yards out.
That’s been the trend for Riley and the Trojans for much of the season. In their previous outing, they fell at home to Penn State 33-30 in overtime on a field goal. In fact, all of their losses this season have been by a single score.
What’s more, the Trojans have had no luck on the road this season. They’re 0-3 outright as a road favorite. To make matters worse, it’s the second time in a row they’ve let a 14-point lead slip.
#USC's blown 14-point leads in back-to-back weeks. Lincoln Riley has lost 12 games as the Trojans head coach. USC has blown 14-point leads in five of them.
— Antonio Morales (@AntonioCMorales) October 19, 2024
Things are bad for USC right now. It’s a program that’s counted on year in and year out as one of the bluebloods of college football. In 2024, it’s been anything but. It still might make a bowl game with Rutgers, Washington, Nebraska, UCLA, and Notre Dame coming up, but needless to say a bowl appearance is the absolute minimum expectation for Trojans fans.
Here’s social media reaction after USC’s latest loss:
Clay Helton is a better coach than Lincoln Riley.
Change my mind.
— Justin Hopkins (@JHopkinsSD) October 20, 2024
https://twitter.com/theworsttwitt3r/status/1847794798926967222
Lincoln Riley needs to be demoted to offensive coordinator. Not a leader. Not a game manager.
— Paul Garcia (@uscgarcia) October 20, 2024
Lincoln Riley without a first-round QB transferring in pic.twitter.com/62uTLvUS6q
— Jason Kirk (read my novel) (@JasonKirk_fyi) October 20, 2024
https://twitter.com/Membro_CFW/status/1847794650645745752
Get prepped. Lincoln Riley will be coming after Pitt's offense again this offseason. https://t.co/HH8YerddkX
— Chris Gates Fitness (@Chris_Gates) October 20, 2024
I'll bet @LincolnRiley is really wishing he hadn't left Oklahoma now.
— Cory Nuckels (@CoryNuckels) October 20, 2024
Is Lincoln Riley even better than Dan Mullen?
— Are Sports Important? (@IOnlySayFacts) October 20, 2024
Another loss for USC. I'm waiting for Lincoln Riley to say they are just 4 plays away from being undefeatedhttps://t.co/PoDpbqxCm5
— Allen Sliwa (@AllenSliwa) October 20, 2024
https://twitter.com/Aceboykwon/status/1847793917648838897
USC got scammed BIG TIME when they hired Lincoln Riley. 1 Heisman winner, no conference titles (thus far), upset by Marshall in the Cotton Bowl, and now have lost to Minnesota and Maryland.
— Star Carter III (@prezstar2) October 20, 2024
Did Xavier Watts forever ruin Lincoln Riley?
Many are saying this. https://t.co/TU6PHN8q4z
— Nick Shepkowski (@NickShepkowski) October 20, 2024
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
