Lincoln Riley takes exception to reporter's question: 'There ain't nobody taking more responsibility than I am'

In what appears to becoming a common theme for USC, a close game went against them. Penn State earned a come-from-behind win in overtime and will have quite the celebration as they travel back across the country. Unfortunately for Lincoln Riley, another loss where he feels like the Trojans are close to pulling through.

Following the game, a reporter asked Riley if the responsibility for these losses fell to him. Riley did not appreciate the question and made that clear during the opening part of his answer. The head coach did take responsibility for falling short on multiple occasions and added he always has.

“It always falls to me,” Riley said. “When have I ever shouldered responsibility? I always take it. I’m the head coach. It’s my job. Believe me, there ain’t nobody taking more responsibility than I am. So, I don’t know where that line of questioning comes from.”

USC was up by two touchdowns at halftime, holding Penn State to just six points. The script changed on the opening drive of the second half before James Franklin saw his team tie the game up early in the fourth quarter. Eventually, overtime hit as USC failed to hit a field goal and Penn State put one through the uprights to win.

Three losses for Riley this season have come by an average of 4.3 points, a total of 13. On the road to Michigan and last Saturday at Minnesota were the first two. Penn State was the first to take down USC in Los Angeles.

A tough schedule has unfolded, no doubt. But Riley expanded on his first quote and took the blame for not being able to get USC over the hump in Year 3.

“The reality of it is we’ve played the toughest schedule in the country the first six games, we’ve had a chance to win all six games,” Riley said. “And that’s hard to do… I have to do a better job. Our coaches, our players, because we’re doing too many good things to put us in situations where we have the lead and we can win, but we’ve got to get paid off for it. We got to be able to finish and it all falls on my shoulders at the end, and that’s why they call me head coach.”