Head coach Lincoln Riley had a roller coaster ride this season; things did not go as he planned. Three back-to-back defeats in the first half of the season raised many questions about his potential as the head coach. This week they entered the game with a flu outbreak. Now the big question is: Will the relentless situation help the team move forward smoothly?

More than 27 players were infected, but it did not stop them from winning. In the postgame conference, the head coach gave an update on the team’s health and shared how they fought through. “I want to say great, but like we had a lot of flu. I mean, like a lot of flu. We practiced Tuesday with, I think, 27 players out, and it ran through over half the staff. Guys battled with a lot of guys that didn’t feel very good even here at the end of the week.” Despite the flu and the entire situation, Trojans players effortlessly pulled the game and registered their sixth victory of the season. Quarterback Jayden Maiava displayed some impressive plays and led the team to a 19-13 victory. He threw for 221 yards and scored a touchdown.

Moving ahead, the head coach acknowledged that the preparation was somewhat chaotic but emphasized the commitment to moving forward without excuses. “The preparation was a little disjointed because of that, but we just said from the very beginning, We’re going to get through this, this deal here at the beginning of the week, and then there are no more excuses We said last night in the team meeting, Like we wake up in the morning, nobody’s sick period, nobody’s sick so we healed them all.” Now, his statements are enough to encourage and motivate his players. It tells a lot about his personality of never giving up and also how he used language to inspire their teams to overcome obstacles and maintain focus on their goals.

Coming back to their performance, running back Woody Marks stood at the right time and rushed for 76 yards, showcasing his speed and agility. Meanwhile, Michael Lantz kicked four field goals to keep the Trojans alive in the game, which actually made the game more interesting and thrilling to watch. Such a victory has left Riley impressed. “These wins are special. We know how much it means to this city, how much it means to this university,” ESPN reported his statements after the game. Now, let’s see how the former players and notable USC figures reacted to the victory.

Former stars support USC Trojans’ victory over rival UCLA

On Saturday, the Trojans dominated their crosstown rival UCLA and former players did not miss out on a chance to show their support and love for the football program. The game was intense and left many Trojans fans nervous and uncomfortable throughout the game. But it was a thrilling game that did not reveal the winner till the final two minutes.

Quarterback Matt Barkley appreciated the boys and motivated them with his words. “Fight on, boys!!! It ain’t always pretty, but a win’s a win! #BeatthebRuins ✌️.” J

Jake Olson, a former player, reflected on the Trojans’ roller coaster ride this season and let them know that every victory matters. “Ahh man, this is the sweetest, ugliest win. No matter how bad a season is… it gets a whole lot better when you can hear that victory bell ringing in the Coli! Bust out that paint boys and let’s beat the Irish!”

Further, Matt Leinart, a former player, wrote, “Win is a win!” Of course! It is and USC needed this badly as the playoffs are around the corner. Now, moving forward, Riley and his players will look up to carry forward the momentum; it will be interesting to see how they perform next week and if the flu leaves them alone.

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