Las Vegas — Less than four months ago, Lincoln Riley left the same field at Allegiant Stadium full of faith at the start of his third and most important season as USC’s coach. His new quarterback was successful. The rebuilt defense paid off. The words he was looking for seemed to have finally arrived in the season-opening win over Louisiana State University.
“We know what we’ve built,” Riley said that night. “I know we’re making progress.”
By late December, all signs of progress had disappeared, and so did the faith in Riley, lost all the way back to the beginning during a frustrating season that ended Friday night. But after a campaign filled with painful fourth-quarter collapses, the Trojans were able to regain the form they found that September night, at least for one night, defeating Texas A&M 35-31 in the Las Vegas Bowl. .
After a year in which they lost six and trailed by five in the fourth quarter, the fact that they were able to fight back Friday to finish 7-6 was enough progress for Riley. Even if this season is the worst of his career as a head coach.
USC linebacker Mason Cobb (left) and defensive end Braylan Shelby celebrate the first half on Friday.
(David Becker/Getty Images)
“Toughness and hardness are developing in this program,” Riley said. “We didn’t flinch. We’re a pretty experienced group. We’ve been through a lot this year. We’ve been in a lot of big games.”
The Las Vegas Bowl had a striking resemblance to September’s bookend, right down to the breathtaking finish when USC once again battled through a fourth-quarter deficit to take a declarative victory. Even if this statement doesn’t resonate as much as it did in September.
“I think that mentality showed throughout the year,” Riley said. “It was important that we finish like that.”
Riley noted that the finish felt especially “poetic” considering the path USC took to get there. They needed a timely stop from a defense that had a reputation for allowing big plays last season. That would require a heroic showing from a pass catcher whose playing time was cut in the final month and a final swan song touchdown from a receiver who has been outspoken about his frustrations this season.
But first, USC’s quarterback had to dig himself out of a deep hole.
While Miller-Moss was active throughout the opener, his replacement, Jayden Maiava, struggled to get USC’s offense going at all during an error-filled early part of the finale. The Trojans’ first three drives totaled just 16 yards, while Maiava completed just three of his first nine passes.
To make matters worse, he threw three mind-boggling interceptions, each of which threatened to derail a Trojan offense that seemed to be hanging on by a thread. After the second of those picks, a disappointed Maiava returned to the sideline and apologized to his receiver. They promised him to clean it up.
“He’s just so hard on himself,” Ford said. “That’s why he’s so great. But sometimes he just needs a pick-me-up here and there.”
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava appears to be about to make a pass under pressure from Texas A&M defensive lineman Cassius Howell during Friday’s Las Vegas Bowl.
(David Becker/Getty Images)
Help arrived just before questions were asked about the future of USC’s quarterback, and Maiava regained his confidence late in the third quarter, moving the Trojans down the field on one scoring drive, then another, and then another. He also scored another goal. He scored McEilemon with two big plays downfield and then hit Jacobi Lane for his second and third touchdowns of the night. In quick succession, USC erased a three-point lead with the quarterback’s cannon right-hander.
Maiava ended up completing 22 of 39 passes for 295 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions.
“He didn’t play his best there for a while and missed some things he normally wouldn’t miss,” Riley said of Maiava. that’s what you have to do. you have to keep fighting. ”
The Trojans’ top two receivers also played a role, with Lane catching seven passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns and Lemon catching six for 99 yards. But Ford delivered the most important moment.
Texas A&M had just regained the lead with less than two minutes remaining when quarterback Marcell Reed broke through the USC defense and threaded his way to the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown run.
On the ensuing drive, Maiava retreated on third-and-13 near midfield with just 27 seconds remaining when USC’s bowl fate was at stake. He found a lane and darted downfield, finding his top receiver for a 33-yard gain. Then he attacked the lane again with just 12 ticks left.
Ford knew the next pass was coming to him on the next play.
“I thought, ‘Jaden better throw this damn ball,'” Ford said with a smile.
Cutting a diagonal route inside, Ford felt it coming. But when he scored the winning goal, all the emotions from his tumultuous time as a Trojan came to the surface. ACL injury. Frustration with one’s role. He transferred to UCLA and then returned to USC. Overwhelmed by the moment, Ford fell to his knees as the crowd roared.
“My journey so far has not been easy,” he said. “This is a testament to how hard I worked and persevered. It all came to me at once.”
For USC, it was a fitting picture to end a season filled with frustration, and a high note that should have given them plenty of hope for the future.
“I’m feeling it in the locker room right now,” Riley said. “Confidence that we’re going to play every game and we’re not going to lose.”
