As USC football exits its bye week after an impressive start to the season and enters another game week, head coach Lincoln Riley reflected on the team’s early success, the challenges ahead and how the Trojans plan to capitalize off the break.
Riley highlighted the team’s discipline on the field — particularly the defense — who have only committed one penalty in the last two matchups. Riley credited such success to a combination of coaching and player mentality.
“We’ve done a good job of playing smart,” Riley said. “We’ve tried to really educate our guys on penalties, why they happen and how officials see games. The biggest thing is that the players have done a good job taking that to the field, holding their poise and playing fundamentally sound. When you’re in a good position, you’re less likely to commit penalties.”
Riley also noted the progress of freshman tight end Walker Lyons, who returned to football after spending time as a missionary in Norway for the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. Despite missing much of his senior year of high school due to injury, Lyons has rapidly earned playing time.
“It’s super impressive for a guy to be away from the game that long and still earn snaps,” Riley said. “He’s still getting his feet underneath him, but he’s improving quickly. I think he matured a lot and grew from his experience.”
Heading toward USC’s game against Michigan, Riley reflected on the balance between maintaining tradition and implementing his own philosophy, drawing parallels to his experience of becoming the head coach at Oklahoma and Wolverine head coach Sherrone Moore’s situation at Michigan.
“I tried to take stock of what was already working well and where improvements were needed. I didn’t want to change things just for the sake of change,” Riley explained. “It’s about trusting what’s best for the program and finding that balance.
Riley highlighted one of the latest advancements to coaching, the use of tablets on the sidelines, which has significantly sped up in-game adjustments.
“It has made the role of people in the press box less important, as now you can just watch the plays yourself,” Riley noted.
But he did caution that the fast pace of the game means coaches must be selective about which information to focus on.
“We’re still getting used to it, but there are advantages,” Riley said.
As for the timing of the bye week, Riley sees it as an opportunity to regroup and improve.
“The bye week is what it is, and if you handle it well, there are advantages like working on yourself, getting players healthy and developing young talent,” Riley said.
He praised the team for staying focused and avoiding distractions, adding, “There hasn’t been any indication that the players are getting distracted by outside noise.”
With the bye week offering a chance for reflection and recovery, USC remains focused on the road ahead, ready to build on its early success and continue its march toward the College Football Playoff.