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USC silences 'Fire Lincoln' roars with comeback win over Washington
Los Angeles Times • • general
Key Points:
- USC faced intense criticism and chants of "FIRE LINCOLN!" from fans during a tense game against Washington, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with coach Lincoln Riley after recent struggles.
- The Trojans narrowly secured a 25-21 victory, thanks to a pivotal defensive play by Jahkeem Stewart, who returned a forced fumble 48 yards for a go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter.
- Despite strong defensive efforts for much of the game, USC's offense struggled with penalties and mistakes, including a critical interception and multiple penalties that hindered scoring opportunities.
- Defensive coordinator Gary Patterson called the game from the press box to improve communication and positioning, which appeared to help the defense rebound from previous weeks' issues.
- The game highlighted USC's inconsistency, as they dominated in yards and possession time but nearly allowed Washington to come back late, underscoring ongoing challenges for the team.
