Lincoln Riley Provides his Take on USC's Special Teams Performance So Far

Much of the discussion regarding USC’s 2022 season to this point has focused on the offense and defense. There have been hiccups here and there offensively. But it’s clear that side of the ball is a strength for the Trojans and makes them a threat to win every game on USC’s 2022 schedule. The defense has had more struggles. But that side of the ball delivered a win at Oregon State and an extremely strong performance in the second half against Arizona State. Special teams as a whole has clearly not been a strength for USC. And the time could be coming where that might be more of an issue.

Following Tuesday’s practice, head coach Lincoln Riley gave a quick rundown of his thoughts pertaining to each special teams unit. USC does not have a dedicated special teams coach. Riley instead chooses to spread the responsibilities over the entire coaching staff.

Field Goal and Punt Teams Get Good Reviews

Riley is pleased with how the field goal and extra point team has performed, as well as USC’s punt team.

USC had a tight battle at the kicker position this fall, with Denis Lynch beating out returner Alex Stadthaus. Lynch is 5-for-7 on field goals this season, with a long of 45 yards. He’s a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond 40 yards and 28-for-28 on extra points. Lynch missed a 35-yard attempt at Oregon State that would have provided the game’s first points. He also missed a 39-yard attempt at Stanford.

Punter Aadyn Sleep-Dalton joined the team during fall camp as a late addition to the roster. His raw numbers have not been impressive, but Riley clearly likes the job he’s doing. He’s averaging just 37.1 yards per punt, with a long of 45 yards. But opponents have returned just two of his 10 punts for a total of 19 yards. He’s forced four fair catches and downed half his punts inside the 20-yard line.

Kickoff Coverage is Hit or Miss

“Kickoff, we’ve had some good games, we’ve had some bad games,” Riley said.

Opponents are averaging 24 yards per return, which ranks tied for No. 107 in the country. Only Oregon and Oregon State are allowing more yards per return among Pac-12 teams. But there have been bright spots, according to Riley.

“They were a big part of the reason we won at Oregon State,” Riley said.

Oregon State’s first kickoff return came back just 14 yards as the Beavers started at their own 16-yard line. That was Oregon State’s final possession of the first half and they weren’t able to get anything going offensively backed up that deep.

USC’s final kickoff was just as important. Stadthaus put the ball at the four-yard line and Oregon State managed just 13 yards on the return (though, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against USC moved the ball to the 32-yard line).

“We’ve had to games here of late where we haven’t played as well as we need to on kickoff,” Riley said. “Field position hasn’t been very good.”

Arizona State returned three kickoffs and got past the 25-yard line each time. Fresno State did the same thing on four returns, with two going for more than 30 yards.

Solid Punt Return

Riley said the Trojans’ punt return unit has been “solid.” USC has been able to generate returns on just five of its opponents’ 14 punts. But Jordan Addison and Gary Bryant Jr. before him haven’t had any space to operate. Addison has four yards on three returns. Bryant had four yards on two returns.

“We had a chance to get some yards the other day and we didn’t fit well,” Riley said.

The Big Disappointment Among USC Special Teams

USC has too many talented athletes to do what it’s doing when it comes to kickoff return. And it’s clear Riley sees that as well.

“Kick return up to this point has been a disappointment,” Riley said.

The Trojans were flagged twice for blocks in the back against Arizona State. But there hasn’t been any room for returns this season.

None of USC’s seven (legal) kickoff returns from four different players have been brought back more than 18 yards. USC ranks No. 122 in the country in average yards per kick return, with 13.71.

True freshman Raleek Brown got a shot against Arizona State. His first return went for 22 yards, but the Trojans were flagged for an illegal block and started the drive at their own six-yard line. Mario Williams returned a kickoff late in the first half and got just seven yards, plus the Trojans were flagged for an illegal block.

Washington State Up Next

Washington State will bring the nation’s No. 2 kickoff return unit to the Coliseum this weekend. The Cougars are averaging 31.75 yards per return, though they have just four returns.

Washington State ranks No. 29 in the nation in kickoff coverage, allowing 17.5 yards per return. Two of USC’s previous opponents are among the top 15 in the nation in that statistic. Stanford is No. 2, allowing 7.8 yards per kickoff return. Fresno State is No. 14, allowing 15.67 yards per return.

The Cougars rank No. 47 in punt returns, averaging 9.25 yards per return. And Washington State is tied for No. 21 in punt return defense, with just eight yards allowed on three returns.