Lincoln Riley details how Caleb Williams handled loss

For just the fourth time since arriving in Los Angeles, USC lost under Lincoln Riley‘s watch. A weird performance overall from the Trojans, it was actually Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams on the struggle bus against Notre Dame. Not the highly-criticized Alex Grinch defense but Williams did not have the best performance of his career.

Now, it’s all about how Williams responds to the loss with a huge Pac-12 matchup on deck vs. Utah. Riley was asked how his quarterback has been since Saturday, saying Williams should bounce back strong. Sure, losing one in South Bend does not sit well with him but all mistakes have been owned up to.

“He’s always been really productive after either the team doesn’t win or if he doesn’t play up to his standard and our standards,” Riley said. “He’s always been a guy that bounces back strong… He comes back hungry and ready to get better. Owning any mistakes that he has in it. He’s a competitor and it hurts him.”

Williams threw three first-half interceptions against Notre Dame, giving them plenty of short fields, and those opportunities were cashed in on. The USC offensive line did not do many favors though, constantly watching defenders get pressure as six sacks were given up.

There is not much time to feel down about the loss, though. USC has a massively important Pac-12 showdown against Utah coming up, a bit of a revenge game for the Trojans. Williams, specifically, took last year’s regular season loss hard. He hopes his leadership and belief carry throughout the team.

“So, I think his resolve, the team’s resolve is very strong,” Riley said. “The confidence of the team is very, very strong. The belief of the team is very, very strong… So, he’s been a good leader, had great energy. May have a tough one here and there but I doubt he has too many more.”

USC lost two games to Utah a year ago. First in Salt Lake City, being one of the best games of the 2022 season. There was a rematch in Las Vegas for the Pac-12 Championship, where the Utes did pull away a little easier but Williams was playing through a serious injury.

Sure, losing to Notre Dame is not something USC wants to do. But it does not affect their chances of winning a conference championship. Riley and Co. still control their own destiny when it comes to appearing at Allegiant Stadium this December.