Versuchen GOLD - Frei

Trojans hit a crossroads in Lincoln

Los Angeles Times

|

November 01, 2025

USC THREE THINGS TO WATCH

- By Ryan KarRTJE

Trojans hit a crossroads in Lincoln

LINEBACKER Jadyn Walker (31) and the Trojans look to increase pressure on the passer against Nebraska.

(GINA FERAZZI Los Angeles Times)

With the second bye behind them and USC's season at a crossroads, Lincoln Riley has spent the better part of two weeks focusing his team on what's in front of them — a stretch of three winnable games — and not behind them — a demoralizing defeat at Notre Dame.

In doing so, the Trojans coach borrowed a well-worn rallying cry, one that traces back 2,000 years. Riley told his team, they had to “burn the boats.”

“We've put ourselves in great position, and we've got to be a really forward-focused team right now,” Riley said, “Things can get pretty fun from here if you really get on a run. This team is capable of that. They know it. We knowit.”

Considering the stakes, it’s anapt enough metaphor. Any hope of USC staying alive in the College Football Playoff conversation hinges on leaving Lincoln, Neb., with a win. And that will, at the very least, require presenting a much better product than before the bye, when USC’s defense gave up over 300 yards on the ground to Notre Dame.

That loss has left a notably bitter taste with the Trojans— especially on defense. This week, sophomore linebacker Jadyn Walker said he felt the group “didn’t come out ready to play” and wasn’t “hungry” enough against Notre Dame. Defensive tackle Jide Abasiri said fixing USC’s issues on defense meant “having our minds right.” For the second time in three weeks, USC returned to the basics on defense during the bye in an effort to iron out those issues.

WEITERE GESCHICHTEN VON Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

How to protect your online data from sellers

Californians can now visit a single state website to request that brokers delete their personal information and refrain from passing it on

time to read

3 mins

January 07, 2026

Los Angeles Times

Safety checks lapsed at Swiss fire site

A criminal inquiry has been opened into the managers of the bar where 40 people died.

time to read

2 mins

January 07, 2026

Los Angeles Times

Izzo respects this ejection

Michigan State coach calls out former player Davis for abuse of ref during win over USC.

time to read

2 mins

January 07, 2026

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

Death toll tied to protests in Iran rises to at least 36

Protesters angry over Iran’s ailing economy conducted a sit-in Tuesday at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, witnesses said, with security forces ultimately firing tear gas and dispersing demonstrators as the rest of the market shut down.

time to read

4 mins

January 07, 2026

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

Israel's top diplomat visits breakaway territory

His government’s decision to recognize Somaliland has been widely condemned.

time to read

2 mins

January 07, 2026

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

24 Venezuelan officers killed in U.S. operation

At least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed in the dead-of-night U.S. military operation to capture Nicolas Maduro and spirit him to the United States to face federal drug charges, officials said Tuesday.

time to read

4 mins

January 07, 2026

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

Bettors all-in on Ohtani in 2025

They placed more wagers on Dodgers’ star than any other athlete last year.

time to read

2 mins

January 07, 2026

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

Confusion over Trump’s plans to ‘run’ Venezuela

President Trump has made broad but vague assertions that the United States is going to “run” Venezuela after the ouster of Nicolás Maduro but has offered almost no details about how it will do so, raising questions among some lawmakers and former officials about the administration's level of planning for the country after Maduro was gone.

time to read

4 mins

January 07, 2026

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

Ex-Apple engineers launch startup to improve robots' vision

Top members of the team behind Apple Inc.'s Face ID are launching a startup to develop technology to help robots see better and move more safely in the world around them.

time to read

2 mins

January 07, 2026

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

A year later, loss is still raw

Grief, shock, resilience: A reporter reflects on her hometown after the Eaton fire. 'Like so many, I’m still grappling with what happened here.’

time to read

9 mins

January 07, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size