Lincoln Riley on USC football comeback win over Arizona

USC football barely survives against Arizona in a close game, with a sub-par performance from Caleb Williams. Lincoln Riley addresses defensive struggles.

USC football managed to secure a victory against Arizona in a nail-biting triple overtime game, keeping their undefeated record intact and improving to 6-0. However, the win was far from impressive, and there were numerous moments where the Trojans were at risk of losing. Caleb Williams, despite a sub-par performance, still managed to accumulate over 250 yards and four touchdowns. On the other hand, the defense showcased one of their weakest performances of the season, but their efforts were enough to secure the win. Following the game, Lincoln Riley, the head coach, acknowledged the defensive side of the team, despite conceding 41 points.

Riley expressed, "When you find yourself trailing 17-0, it truly tests your internal strength. Your team's culture is put to the ultimate test. Surprisingly, it was our defense that ignited us." The turning point came in the second quarter when Jacobe Covington made a crucial interception, leading to a quick touchdown for USC. These were the team's first points of the night and helped revitalize their offense. Finally, in the third overtime, the Trojans' defense stepped up and made a game-ending stop.

Although USC left much to be desired in their performance on Saturday night, it is worth noting that the team has struggled with finishing games for the past year and a half. Nonetheless, the most important takeaway is that they managed to find a way to win and maintain their undefeated status.

Riley emphasized, "Not many teams can come back from a 0-17 deficit and secure the victory. My expectations for this team are higher than anyone else's. I want us to score every single time we possess the ball. However, in reality, that is not always feasible. In such situations, you can either panic or regroup and refocus. Tonight, we didn't deliver our best performance, but from one game to another, I wouldn't underestimate us."

Looking ahead, the Trojans are preparing to face Notre Dame in Indiana next week.