Lincoln Riley knows his USC Trojans are far from perfect, even after they won. The head coach spent Saturday night’s 25-21 home win over the Washington Huskies doing something unusual: admitting the flaws that nearly cost his team the game.
The Trojans led 25-21 and held on, but they did not dominate. They committed too many penalties, and Riley said the mistakes almost let Washington hang around until the end. The win was a relief, but the performance was not clean.
Penalties Were Massive in This Game
Riley was blunt about the problem after the game. “Wasn’t a clean performance,” he said. “Penalties was just massive in this game.”
He explained what those penalties did. “I felt majority of this game we were out-playing ’em when you make those mistakes you just kinda let them keep hanging around…”
The message was clear: USC was winning the actual football, but the officials kept flagging them. Riley’s own words describe the issue, and he made it the center of his postgame remarks.
A Tight Finish Against Washington
The game was close from the start. Both teams traded blows throughout, and Washington actually led 14-10 at halftime.
USC responded in the third quarter. They outscored the Huskies 12-7, a stretch that the visitors never recovered from. That run pushed the Trojans ahead, but the lead never felt comfortable.
The final score was 25-21. It was a win, but it was not a statement.
Jayden Maiava’s Night With Errors
Jayden Maiava had a solid night in the passing game despite a few errors. He completed 21 out of 34 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown, and he threw an interception.
The numbers are respectable, but the errors Riley mentioned were there. Maiava was the Trojans’ main weapon through the air, and he showed both his strengths and his weaknesses in this one.
The Run Game Carries the Load
King Miller led the ground attack with 18 carries for 81 yards. Waymond Jordan added 11 carries for 36 yards and a touchdown.
Zacharyus Williams was the standout receiver, grabbing four catches for 78 yards. Tanook Hines also made an impact, catching five passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.
The running game kept USC moving, and the passing game provided the big plays when they mattered. Together, they carried the offense through a night that tested the team’s resolve.
The Road Ahead
USC is off to a strong start to the season. They have won five of their first six games, and the win over Washington was an important conference victory.
But Riley is not celebrating the win. He is focused on the fix. “We clearly got to do a way better job on that… Lots to clean up, Lots to be excited about. Proud of the team, Proud of the fight,” he said.
The Trojans are ranked No. 18, and they have their sights set on the CFP bracket. That is the program’s biggest test for the 2026 campaign, and Riley knows the path starts with addressing these penalties.
What Comes Next
The Trojans face a road test in Week 6. They travel to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions, with kickoff commencing on Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
That game will show whether USC can play cleaner football. The schedule does not ease up after that. Each remaining game matters, and Riley has made clear what he thinks matters most.
The Bottom Line
Riley’s assessment is simple: the penalties have to stop. USC was outplaying Washington for large parts of the game, but the flags kept them from pulling away.
The Trojans have talent at quarterback, running back and receiver. They have the pieces to compete for the CFP. But a penalty problem can sink a season before it starts.
Riley’s own words about his team’s biggest weakness are the story here. He called it himself, and he made it the focus of his postgame reflection.
The Trojans have the tools. They just need to stop giving the refs reasons to flag them.
Key Players From the Game
- Jayden Maiava — 21 of 34 completions, 245 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- King Miller — 18 carries, 81 yards
- Waymond Jordan — 11 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD
- Zacharyus Williams — 4 catches, 78 yards
- Tanook Hines — 5 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD
Riley’s postgame focus on penalties is notable because he did not spend much time praising the offense that produced those numbers. His priorities are clear: clean football before anything else.
Source material: “Lincoln Riley reveals biggest area USC Trojans must address after win over Washington,” Yahoo Sports.
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