Lincoln Riley has 'utmost respect' for Utah

The USC Trojans are looking for a stronger finish in 2023 than the one they had in 2022. Lincoln Riley‘s first year heading the program didn’t end exactly how he wanted to, as they finished the year with three losses; two coming at the hands of the Utah Utes. At Friday’s Pac-12 Football Media Day, Riley addressed the two losses to Utah and his level of respect for the rival program.

“I have the utmost respect for them. But you’re talking about two different schools, two different situations, two different eras, two different sets of rules,” said Riley.

“I think we’d be wasting our time honestly comparing. They have done a tremendous job over a long period of time, building that roster. It’s taken on the personality of Coach. They know what they want to be. They’re really good at it. I have a ton of respect for them.”

USC had an impressive first season to start the Riley era. The Trojans finished the year 11-3 and were in the Pac-12 title game; a much better result than 2021’s abysmal 4-8 campaign. Unfortunately, Utah played spoilers to Riley’s coming out season at USC, beating them in Utah and in the Pac-12 title game. And the loss in the conference championship not only cost the Trojans the conference title but also knocked them out of contention for the national championship. However, this is a new USC team in 2023, and Riley expects things to go much differently for his squad this season.

“Us coming into USC year one, a different school, again a different total situation, we attacked it a different way. I think your job as a coach is to take the situation you have, take the rules that are in the game, and then go build the best rosters and the best programs that you possibly can by any means necessary within the framework of those rules. That’s our job.”

The two most significant things that hurt USC against Utah was their defense in both games and the injury to Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams in the championship. Utah averaged 45 points per game against USC last year. And in the Pac-12 championship game, the Trojans were in control of the game until Williams’ leg injury significantly limited what he could do on the field.

Riley and his Trojans will look to return the favor next season when Utah travels to Los Angeles late in October to take on USC in the Colosseum. And the Trojans’ headman is really looking forward to that contest.

“They’ve done a great job of it. I think we’ve done a great job of it, too. We had two tremendous games with them last year. Obviously would expect they’ll be a strong team, and (I’m) looking forward to having them visit L.A. this fall.”