Home / Sports / USC's Toughest Losses Under Riley Revealed
USC's Toughest Losses Under Riley Revealed
22 Jun
Summary
- The 2022 Pac-12 Championship loss to Utah was brutal.
- A key 2025 Alamo Bowl loss featured defensive struggles.
- Caleb Williams' injury impacted a crucial 2022 game.
The USC Trojans have experienced several difficult losses under coach Lincoln Riley, impacting their path to the College Football Playoff.
In the 2022 Pac-12 Championship Game, USC fell to Utah 47-24. This defeat was particularly challenging due to a hamstring injury sustained by quarterback Caleb Williams early in the game, which limited his mobility. A victory in this game would have secured a College Football Playoff spot for USC.
More recently, USC suffered a 30-27 loss to TCU in the 2025 Alamo Bowl. The Trojans' defense failed to prevent a game-winning touchdown in overtime after a crucial third-down conversion by TCU. The offense also missed opportunities, including settling for a field goal near the goal line and two critical interceptions by quarterback Jayden Maiava, one of which led to a TCU touchdown.
These losses have left USC fans questioning what could have been, but the team aims to use these experiences as motivation for future success.
