USC Stun No. 2 Ohio State 30-18 as Riley Clashes with Buckeyes AD After the Game

The USC Trojans produced a major upset in US college football, beating the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 30-18 on Saturday (31 October) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Just a week earlier the picture had been the opposite. USC went to Wisconsin as sizable favourites and lost badly; for the first time in Lincoln Riley's coaching career, one of his teams scored just seven points in a game.

In that game, senior quarterback Jayden Maiava took multiple intentional grounding penalties and threw two interceptions, and the team finished with minus-17 net rushing yards. A failed 58-yard field goal attempt against the wind also set Wisconsin up with outstanding field position for a score.

After that loss, speculation over Riley's future intensified. USC's athletic department was rumoured to be putting together funds to clear his reported $70 million buyout, and wish lists of potential new coaches for 2027 were already being drawn up.

Ohio State started backup quarterback Luke Fahey and brought a top-three defense, standout player Jeremiah Smith and a wealth of big-game experience under head coach Ryan Day. Yet USC dominated. Ohio State won time of possession and racked up yardage largely through late drives, but when set up with a first-and-goal inside the 1-yard line, the Buckeyes still could not reach the end zone.

Star freshman Trent Mosley took a screen pass on the second play of the game for a long touchdown. Tight end Mark Bowman hurdled an Ohio State defender and ran through tackles on a huge catch and run. USC's much-maligned defense grabbed an opportune turnover and forced a fumble, getting stop after stop when needed.

After the game, tempers flared in the tunnel. As Riley tried to walk through with his family and security guard, an Ohio State staffer held him up; athletic director Ross Bjork was then seen gesturing back toward Riley and saying something to him. Riley responded angrily with profane language before finally being let through. Another angle showed Bjork saying something indistinguishable as he left the field.

In the news conference, Riley read a prepared statement. 'This program is built on internal joy, not external applause,' he said. 'This win is for all the staff members, the players, the leaders, admin, all the people within the walls. I said before this game that I'm the right person for this job, and as long as all those people know that, that's all I care about. I appreciate being part of this university... I'm going to continue to fight on because that's what being a Trojan is all about. Adios.'

Riley had already addressed speculation about his commitment to USC in a midweek news conference, saying Los Angeles is where he wants to be.

The win takes USC to 6-2. Their earlier losses include a 41-27 defeat to Oregon. The schedule does not get easier: a trip to play the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington next week, and a closing date with the now-No. 5 UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl.

Win out, and the Trojans would almost certainly be in the College Football Playoff, with one of the best resumes in the country, including three wins over top-five teams.