Geoff Schwartz criticizes Lincoln Riley for 'awful' end of first half

Lincoln Riley made an interesting decision late in the first half after USC came up with a defensive stop against LSU. The Trojans forced a fourth down and the Tigers lined up to kick a field goal that would tie the game.

However, despite the fact that there was still more than a minute left in the half, Riley did not use a timeout to stop the clock even though he had all three remaining. USC still managed to drive down and get in field goal range before missing, but it was still a puzzling decision nonetheless.

CLICK HERE to go to PrizePicks and use code ON3 to receive a guaranteed $50 once you play $5 in lineups!

Former Oregon and NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz took to social media to criticize Riley for his game management.

“So USC wasted nearly a minute by not calling a timeout before LSU’s FG attempt and the 2nd down run,” he wrote on X. “Then he played for a FG because he ran out of time. And they missed the FG. Just awful game management.”

Watch College Football Games Live -Try for Free Fubo! Click HERE NOW

Schwartz wasn’t the only one who was left confused by the decision from Riley. Former Mississippi State and Florida coach Dan Mullen said during the ESPN halftime show that he also would have called a timeout in that situation.

He did admit that the drive was still successful in his estimation because USC got the field goal attempt. However, more time might have even allowed them to score a touchdown.

“It really was interesting, especially with the three timeouts,” Mullen said. “They lost those 40 seconds. You take that timeout, save the time. You still have timeouts in your pocket. You saw at the end of the half, they would have loved to have that 40 seconds back there.

“The drive to me was still successful. They got a field goal attempt and they were hoping to get a two-for-one. They get the ball to start that second half and you want to get that two-for-one chance to score twice before LSU touches the ball.”

Riley is beginning his third season as the USC coach after going 19-8 over his first two years. He’ll look to start off with a win as the Trojans aim to pull away after being tied at 10 with LSU at halftime.