Several fans felt that a late call from USC head coach Lincoln Riley on Saturday may have been the difference in the team’s brutal loss to Maryland.
The Trojans had a 28-22 lead and possession with two minutes left at SECU Stadium in College Park, Md. With USC facing 3rd-and-8 on Maryland’s 31, quarterback Miller Moss’ pass to wide receiver Makai Lemon ended up just a yard short of a first down.
Instead of going for it on 4th-and-1, Riley opted to send out his field goal unit. The 41-yard attempt was blocked and returned all the way to midfield.
"WHAT A PERFECT TIME FOR A BLOCKED FIELD GOAL" 😱❌ pic.twitter.com/WogFEjkb86
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 19, 2024
Maryland ended up scoring a go-ahead touchdown to pull off a 29-28 come-from-behind win.
TERPS TD WITH UNDER A MINUTE TO PLAY! 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/oldBOhg7qD
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 19, 2024
USC could have virtually iced the game with a first down. Even if the Trojans had failed to convert, the Terrapins would have had to start their drive deep in their own territory needing a touchdown.
Some fans on X slammed Riley for his decision to go for the field goal.
USC had a 97.2% chance of winning against Maryland when it lined up to kick a 41-yard field goal up six with 2:00 to go.
The Terps blocked it, returned it across midfield, scored to take the lead and managed to seal the victory on defense in the final minute. pic.twitter.com/DtIHo3acWm
— Wesley Brown (@W_Brown21) October 20, 2024
Lincoln Riley chose to a kick a field goal over going for it on 4th-and-1 to ice the game.
Teams take on the personality of their coaches… and USC is too physically and mentally soft to close out games.
— Max Meyer (@TheMaxMeyer) October 19, 2024
I can’t believe USC attempted that field goal. Needed one yard to win the game.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) October 19, 2024
Fire Lincoln Riley you can’t b serious you didn’t go for it on 4th and 1 like wtf
— TRD GEEZY (@kgeezy5) October 19, 2024
USC led 28-14 just over a minute into the fourth quarter. Maryland closed out the contest with 15 unanswered points.
Fans also roasted Riley for a different decision to close out the first half.
USC’s brutal loss Saturday was the team’s third straight and fourth over its last five games. With the Trojans now 3-4, Riley’s seat may be starting to feel a bit warmer.
