USC football news: Lincoln Riley calls out 1 quarter after 42-26 win over San Jose State
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USC football entered Saturday as the only top 15 team in action. Fans who basked in the near 90 degree heat inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum saw a dominating three quarters. But head coach Lincoln Riley called out one quarter that didn’t live up to USC’s standards against San Jose State.
The Trojans prevailed to a 42-26 romp to kickoff the season, winning without key wide receiver Tanook Hines. But again, Riley became blunt about the end.
“First three quarters, a lot of really good football out there. Fourth quarter, not up to our standards,” Riley told reporters after the win.
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Yet that wasn’t Riley’s strongest take. He revealed who’s the most upset about that final quarter: Gary Patterson, who made his USC defensive coordinator debut after a lengthy run with TCU.
“He’s pissed right now about the fourth quarter,” Riley added.
Patterson turned heads early by playing two true freshman on that side of the ball. Five-star edge rusher Luke Wafle impressed early in nearly getting a sack for the safety. But ultimately forced an errant incomplete throw. Wafle even bulldozed past two different blockers to pressure quarterback Luke Weaver of the Spartans. Patterson also played four-star cornerback Elbert Hill IV in USC’s new-look five-man defensive back scheme.
USC allowed 336 total yards against the Mountain West Conference foe. But 234 came through the air. And SJSU outscored USC with an astonishing 23-7 run.
So USC’s head coach and defensive coordinator left unpleased by the final opening result. This despite showing the nation that it can be a dominating force for three quarters. Now USC faces an upset-minded Fresno State team on a short week, with that contest set for Sept. 4 inside the Coliseum.
Related: South Carolina State opens up 52 point lead before halftime, 80 points in 4th
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