When USC looked to be slipping from his grasp, Lincoln Riley stood tall and fought back

That sound you heard just before midnight on Saturday was head coach Lincoln Riley letting out a massive sigh of relief. With this signature victory, Riley has effectively cooled the seat that had grown uncomfortably warm, likely putting any immediate speculation about his future to rest.

While many of the "signature" wins in the Lincoln Riley era have carried caveats, such as victories over struggling Michigan or Penn State squads, this triumph over Ohio State felt entirely different. This was the true turning point, the definitive "moment" that the USC program has been waiting for.

Lincoln Riley isn't ready to give up on his time at USC

The unranked Trojans dominated the No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in a decisive victory that left no room for doubt. The outcome had nothing to do with the injury to Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin; regardless of who was under center for Ohio State, the result would have been the same. USC dominated in all three phases of the game, taking the lead on the second play and never relinquishing it.

There were no collapses, no mental lapses, and not a single moment where the team looked vulnerable. Instead, Lincoln Riley’s squad rose to the challenge for the full 60 minutes, holding the Buckeyes out of the end zone until the final two minutes of the game.

The Trojans were more electric, more athletic, and undeniably more physical than the Buckeyes. For USC fans, this moment has been a long time coming. While some might argue that USC shouldn't rush the field, doing so last night represented far more than a typical celebration. It was a release of pent-up frustration and a cathartic shedding of recent struggles.

It signaled the realization that this program is once again capable of reaching the sport's loftiest goals. Plus, considering the game fell on Halloween, it was hard to blame the fans for joining in on the festivities or to begrudge a group of college students for celebrating in style.

Lincoln Riley's seat is quite comfortable after win over Ohio State

For Lincoln Riley and USC, the situation could not have played out any better. I wrote last week that firing a head coach is rarely the correct decision, even when things look bleak but those concerns are now firmly in the rearview mirror.

Riley didn’t just win a game; he reclaimed his program. He is clearly the man to lead this team forward, and USC is right to provide him with the runway needed to see his vision through. The Trojans possess an incredible amount of talent, anchored by a core of promising true freshmen. Take the second play of the game.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava completed a quick screen pass to Trent Mosley, who was sprung loose by key blocks from fellow true freshmen Mark Bowman and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. The Trojans led 7-0 less than two minutes into the game, and it would take Ohio State most of the game to match that single scoring effort.

A program like USC holds itself to high standards, which often breeds impatience. However, by standing by Lincoln Riley, the administration has been proven right. Riley has solidified his position as the leader of this program, and for both the coach and the university, that is exactly how it should be.

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