USC's Lincoln Riley Faces Fire After 41-27 Oregon Loss and Targeting Ejection
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Sep 27
USC's Lincoln Riley Faces Fire After 41-27 Oregon Loss and Targeting Ejection
3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Sep 27
Summary
Desman Stephens II was ejected for targeting after a late hit sent Oregon quarterback Dante Moore to a hospital, and Lincoln Riley said he did not see the linebacker celebrating as Moore lay injured.
Riley drew criticism not just for missing the sideline conduct but for leaving Stephens on the sideline and failing to curb penalties that repeatedly hurt USC in the 41-27 defeat.
A fourth-and-7 gamble with 7:15 left became the game’s turning point: Jayden Maiava’s incompletion gave Oregon the ball near midfield, and the Ducks scored eight plays later to stretch the lead to 41-27.
The loss was USC’s fifth straight to Oregon, which finished the game with backup quarterback Dylan Raiola after Moore’s injury, deepening scrutiny on Riley despite USC’s $200 million facility, top-rated recruiting class and his reported $12.5 million annual pay.