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Watch out, Lincoln Riley and USC prove its a 'tough a-- physical program' against Michigan
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- Watch out, Lincoln Riley and USC prove its a 'tough a-- physical program' against Michigan
LOS ANGELES — Just before Southern California took the field against No. 15 Michigan in what was a must-win for the Trojans , the team was led onto the field by someone that knows all about winning in critical contests.
Women's basketball star JuJu Watkins led the team out of the tunnel in front of a sold-out Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
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Watkins didn't play on the field, nor will she be on the court in the upcoming season as she recovers from an ACL injury . But her presence was a reminder of someone on campus it's time to shine when the lights are bright. It's been something Lincoln Riley and company haven't shown much since his arrival.
Turns out maybe all Riley needed was some good JuJu.
The Trojans didn't fold and Riley finally picked up what he called "an important" first signature Big Ten victory with a 31-13 decision in a major step to prove USC is a potential College Football Playoff contender.
Southern California wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8) is congratulated by wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) after catching a touchdown pass against MIchigan during the first half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
It was a performance USC fans have been waiting for. For the past few seasons, they wondered if Riley would be able to live up to the lofty expectations and paycheck he's had since arriving from Oklahoma . Each time during his four seasons he was handed a test, it ended with him falling short of that A-grade.
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When USC lost a heart-breaker against Illinois in Week 5, it felt like it could have been the same story in 2025. With Michigan coming to town, the same team that punched the Trojans right in the mouth in their Big Ten debut last season, it was an opportunity to change the narrative.
USC aced its test in convincing fashion − and sparked optimism back into a fanbase hesitant to fully buy into it.
"Several years ago, it's kind of what we all dreamed up," Riley said. "This would be the Coliseum lit up, two iconic programs going at it in a heavy hitter, Trojans coming off the field with the with the victory, and the place totally on fire."
USC gets off to fast start
Facing one of the best defenses in the country, the Trojans drove quickly for a touchdown on their opening drive to take the early lead. Mistakes prevented USC from adding to its margin, but what had been a leaky defense stepped up. The Wolverines could only muster up a single touchdown as their power rushing game wasn't able to generate consistent success.
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It gave the offense enough time to settle down, and it took off once it did. Another touchdown from Jayden Maiava to Makai Lemon before the half gave the Trojans the lead once more, and they didn't let go of it for the remainder of the game.
If there was any indication good JuJu was on USC's side, it came on a third-and-26 in the third quarter. The Trojans appeared content to cede possession with a run play. But freshman running back King Miller blasted through the Wolverine defense for a 49-yard gain that electrified the home crowd.
Two plays later, Miller ran it in for a touchdown to extend the lead, and Michigan couldn't recover from it.
USC defense does its part against Michigan
USC didn't put up the high scoring performance it has mostly done this season, but it certainly clamped down on Michigan.
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The Wolverines entered the night averaging 237.8 yards on the ground, 13th best in the country. Running back Justice Hayes' 654 rushing yards was the fourth-most in FBS.
Hayes finished with just 51 rushing yards as he dealt with an injury in the first half, and Michigan finished with 109 total yards on the ground. Meanwhile, King, whose role was suddenly elevated thanks to a depleted running back room, had a game-high 158 rushing yards as the Trojans piled up 224 yards on the ground.
Not a bad performance against a team that was giving up on average 77 yards per game on the ground. It was the most rushing yards Michigan had given up since its 2022 meeting with Ohio State .
It felt like USC took it personal for how Michigan's physicality was the difference last season. This time around, the Trojans looked far more physical, willing to break free from Riley's finesse identity and rather be the bullies. Michigan's defensive line had been exceptional at getting to the quarterback, averaging three sacks a game.
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On Saturday night, USC didn't give up a single sack.
"We're a tough-ass, physical program," Riley said.
Saturday's win was a resume booster, but it was just the first part of what's a crucial midterm for the Trojans. They can't spend long celebrating their victory with next week's rivalry game at No. 16 Notre Dame on tap. USC hasn't won in South Bend since 2011, losing six consecutive games inside Notre Dame Stadium.
The winner will see a boost to its playoff chances while the loser will be left with little or no margin for error. The elation in Los Angeles can wind up being a short-term celebration.
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"When you play our schedule, there's not too much time to celebrate. We know we got another big football game coming up, and we'll be excited to go back and prepare in the way that we did this week and get ready for (Notre Dame," Riley said.
But for now, Riley and USC can start to shed that pretender label – all thanks to some positive JuJu.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lincoln Riley, USC handle Michigan with playoff-caliber win
