USC kicked off their 2026 season with a 42-26 win over San Jose State at the Coliseum on Saturday, starting the year 1-0. It was a victory, but head coach Lincoln Riley didn’t hold back after the game, giving us a real “tale of two games” vibe and some serious things to chew on as the season gets rolling.
“Tale of Two Games” Signals Early Season Jitters
Yeah, they got the win, and Riley straight up said it was “good to get the first one under our belt.” But don’t let that final score fool you. He called it a “tale of two games,” and man, was he right. For three quarters, it sounded like pure domination. Riley saw “a lot of good football out there,” with all three sides of the ball clicking and playing “complementary to one another.” This team was rolling, especially with so many new Trojans making “big plays.” That’s the highlight reel stuff, for sure. But then, the fourth quarter hit, and Riley’s tone shifted big time. It was “not up to our standards,” he admitted. He saw guys blow opportunities, falling short of expectations, and knows they will “need the depth of this roster” to learn and grow from this one. It’s only Week 1, but those late-game lapses? That’s the kind of stuff that will haunt you later in the season if it ain’t fixed early.
Freshmen Explode, But the Run Game Needs a Spark
On the flip side, the young guns absolutely showed up. Riley was thrilled with how the freshmen played, crediting them for translating their practice grind into game-day opportunities. Guys like Jide Abasiri and Jayden Maiava, along with the older players, really “let it rip” on all sides of the ball. You felt their impact on offense, defense, and special teams. Wide receiver Trent Mosley? He was the real deal. Riley wasn’t surprised at all, saying Mosley did what he does “most days” and was just as “consistent” and “explosive” as they come. He attacked the game, wasn’t hesitant, and proved to be a “good weapon” on offense and special teams. The run game, though? Solid, but not quite explosive enough. Riley noted they “missed some opportunities for some explosive runs,” acknowledging it “needs to be better.” While he liked the patience shown by the players and the play calling, they need more of those home run chances to mix in.
Red Zone Defense Is the Real Deal
Here’s where things get really interesting, and why this team could be dangerous: the defense, especially in the red zone. Riley was pumped about their communication and “key stops,” specifically calling out a fourth-down stop in the red zone. He wasn’t kidding when he said “red zone defense is something we have spent a lot of time talking about and why that matters.” He’s right, too! If you look at the top teams across the country, their red zone defense usually equals their top rankings. Not giving up touchdowns down there is everything, and he loved seeing San Jose State’s first two trips result in a turnover and a field goal. That’s the blueprint, folks. Physically, the first three quarters were “pretty good,” with some serious tackles on tape. If this defense can keep up that red zone intensity, this team has a real chance to be great.
So, the first W is in the books. Now the question is, can they iron out those fourth-quarter wrinkles and get the run game sparking, all while maintaining that lockdown red zone defense? Week 2 will tell us a lot more about what this squad is truly made of.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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