On Saturday evening, the USC football team fell 41-27 to Oregon at the Coliseum. With the loss, the Trojans dropped to 4-1 on the season and 1-1 in Big Ten play.
What did we learn from the game? Here are a few key takeaways:
Massive missed opportunity
This was supposed to be USC’s moment. This was supposed to be USC’s opportunity. The Trojans leaned into such this week, constantly advertising that “the time is now.” Well, consider that opportunity squandered.
Deja vu
Plain and simple, we have seen this same story over and over again with Lincoln Riley. Time and again, the Trojans have just not able to get it done against good opponents.
Defense can’t come through in the clutch
USC’s defense actually had a decent first half, holding Oregon to 13 points. The unit also did enough for the game to be tied at 27 in the fourth
quarter. In the biggest moments, however, the defense could not come through, allowing Oregon to score touchdowns on its final two drives to seal the game.
Discipline a problem
USC’s penalty numbers were not as bad as the past two weeks, but the Trojans still committed six penalties for 44 yards. Perhaps none was more brutal than the roughing the passer call that extended Oregon’s game-winning touchdown drive after the Ducks had seemingly been forced to punt.
Uncomfortable conversations
Riley is not getting fired tomorrow. But make no mistake about it, the next few days—and the rest of the season, for that matter—are going to be filled with a lot of very uncomfortable conversations about his future at USC.
Up next
The Trojans will be back at the Coliseum next Saturday when they host Washington. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. Pacific time on NBC.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Five takeaways from USC’s 41-27 home loss to Oregon
