Lincoln Riley and the USC 12 days of Christmas — 2022 version
Merry Christmas from all of us at Trojans Wire. What a year we had at this website. Lincoln Riley made USC football relevant and memorable once again. The Trojans were not 4-8. They did not slide into obscurity and mediocrity. They didn’t lose a bunch of games at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Heck, they didn’t lose a single game at the Coliseum or in Los Angeles (sorry, UCLA!).
USC won 11 regular-season games. It swept Notre Dame and UCLA for the first time since 2016. The Trojans reached the Pac-12 Championship Game, which they were not predicted to do before the season began. They reached a New Year’s Six bowl game in Year 1 of the Lincoln Riley area. There is a lot to be thankful for, even though the Trojans were one win away from the College Football Playoff and failed to get there.
We present the 2022 edition of the USC 12 Days of Christmas through the prism of Lincoln Riley:
ON THE 12TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, COACH RILEY GAVE SC: 12 TOUCHDOWN CATCHERS
Jordan Addison, Mario Williams, Kyle Ford, Tahj Washington, Brenden Rice, Austin Jones, Michael Jackson III, Raleek Brown, Lake McRee, Kyron Hudson, Malcolm Epps, and Josh Falo.
ON THE 11TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, COACH RILEY GAVE SC: 11 FOOTBALL VICTORIES
With a chance for 12 in the Cotton Bowl.
ON THE 10TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, COACH RILEY GAVE SC: 10 POINTS PER QUARTER
USC averaged 41 points per game this season, roughly 10.25 points per quarter over the full year.
ON THE 9TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, COACH RILEY GAVE SC: 9 TOP-TIER TRANSFERS
It’s actually more than that, but it fits the song, right?
ON THE 8TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, COACH RILEY GAVE SC: 8 HEISMAN TROPHIES
Dec 10, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams (right) poses for photos with his head coach Lincoln Riley during a press conference in the Astor Ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York, NY, after winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
ON THE 7TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, COACH RILEY GAVE SC: 7 YARDS PER PLAY
Roughly 70 plays per game and nearly 500 yards per game. That’s 7.2 yards per play in 2022.
ON THE 6TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, COACH RILEY GAVE SC: 6 TAHJ TOUCHDOWNS
Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Tahj Washington (16) celebrates after scoring on a 2-yard touchdown reception against the Utah Utes in the first half of the Pac-12 Championship at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
ON THE 5TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, COACH RILEY GAVE SC: 5 YARDS PER CARRY
34 per game, 174 yards per game, 5.1 yards per carry.
ON THE 4TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, COACH RILEY GAVE SC: 4 INTERCEPTIONS
Just four interceptions? In this offense? In this economy. It’s an incredible feat and something every future USC offense would love to replicate.
ON THE 3RD DAY OF CHRISTMAS, COACH RILEY GAVE SC: 3 GOALS ACCOMPLISHED
Won the two big rivalry games
Made the Pac-12 Championship Game
Reached a New Year’s Six bowl
ON THE 2ND DAY OF CHRISTMAS, COACH RILEY GAVE SC: 2 VANQUISHED RIVALS
Notre Dame was one of them.
Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Aiden Gobaira (91) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
ON THE 1ST DAY OF CHRISTMAS, COACH RILEY GAVE SC: A WIN OVER UCLA
Nov 19, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive lineman Solomon Byrd (51) and offensive lineman Cooper Lovelace (71) celebrate with the victory bell at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
