Takeaways from Trojans Live

For those unfamiliar, Trojans Live is a weekly radio show produced by USC Media that features guests from across USC Athletics. This week’s episode included head coach Lincoln Riley, a frequent guest, and general manager Chad Bowden, who makes less frequent appearances. The full show can be found on YouTube, but below are a few key takeaways from what Riley and Bowden had to say.

Lincoln Riley

Coach Riley expressed his excitement about the electric atmosphere throughout the game against Michigan, noting that the energy inside the stadium was palpable and set the tone for the night. He emphasized the importance of USC winning the “middle eight” which represents the final four minutes of the first half and the opening four minutes of the second, a stretch he considers critical in determining the outcome of big games.

Riley also spent a considerable amount of time praising the offensive line, a unit that currently ranks eighth nationally in sacks allowed. Despite being without three starters against Michigan, the group delivered an outstanding performance, keeping quarterback Jayden Maiava clean in the pocket throughout the night. King Miller was brought up about halfway through the interview and Riley expressed that he first noticed Miller and his brother in his first year at USC.

Riley noted that there’s a sense of familiarity with Notre Dame, as the Irish have been a regular opponent since he arrived at USC. He emphasized the importance of playing with controlled physicality, explaining that the team must be aggressive “in a technical form,” ensuring that their physical play doesn’t create gaps or breakdowns in execution.

Riley concluded the interview by expressing his satisfaction with the way the defense tackled and maintained proper coverage fits throughout the Michigan game. He also confirmed that he had the opportunity to speak with visiting commits, noting that it was a valuable experience for both them and other prospects to feel the energy of USC’s new era of football.

Chad Bowden

Bowden began his interview by highlighting the players’ performance on the field, praising their competitiveness and the team’s strong win. He noted the high energy on campus, including tailgates, fan engagement, and the overall game day atmosphere. Bowden also shared that he had breakfast in Manhattan Beach with visiting recruits and watched the game from the booth. He emphasized that achieving success will require contributions from everyone in the program, regardless of position, to “win the era.” Perhaps his most striking statement was his belief that USC currently has a championship caliber roster. He also has high praise for the new football facility stating it is the best facility he has ever seen.