Social media reaction to USC’s win over Rice in Game 1 of the Lincoln Riley era
This is gonna be fun. It will be messy on defense at times, but it will be fun.
USC opened the Lincoln Riley era with an offensive display which showed every Trojan fan what they’re getting on that side of the ball.
The combination of Riley’s scheme and play selection, attached to precision technique and carried out by ultra-fast skill players, will make a lethal combination as long as Riley is at USC. Talent, scheme, and coaching will be first-rate on offense. No one will need to worry about that side of the ball.
As expected in this opener against Rice, the questions mounted on defense. Nothing was particularly surprising about the way USC played. Calen Bullock, Shane Lee, and Eric Gentry — who were all very good in August practice and were widely viewed as some of the main leaders of this defense — made high-impact plays.
Depth on the defensive line was a problem. The pass rush needs a lot of work. Third-down defense was a first-half flaw.
You saw the game. Now see how USC fans and analysts reacted:
WIDE OPEN
Wide open receivers. I feel like it's been forever since #USC had wide open receivers.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) September 3, 2022
SENSING A THEME HERE
What is this “guys running wide open down the field” offense?
— Pac 0 (@wstrojan) September 3, 2022
CITY OF ANGELS: IN HEAVEN
Seeing Riley calling plays is heaven.
— fight on forever (@gouxforever) September 3, 2022
ACTUAL COACHING!
Watching our Oline have a real blocking scheme and our receivers having spacing is Heaven.
— Fight On ✌️⛳️ (@USCnDodgerBlue) September 3, 2022
THEN THE DEFENSE CAME ONTO THE FIELD
USC 7, Rice 7. The biggest question entering this game was the state of the USC defense. After a 16-play drive with three third-down conversions and a fourth-down TD, that question mark looks a little bigger.
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) September 3, 2022
REALITY CHECK
So…Rice just marched about 75 yards on USC and converted a number of 3rd-and-longs along the way to tie the game. If that is conjuring up ugly flashbacks to the recent past, you are not alone.
— RichSC (@OriginalRichSC) September 3, 2022
THIS WAS INEVITABLE
This is why I questioned bringing Alex Grinch
— USC DIDNT FUMBLE THE BAG (@BlackSaiyan455) September 3, 2022
COUNTERPOINT
This isn’t on him tho. This is not a USC level unit especially up front
— Pac 0 (@wstrojan) September 3, 2022
IT'S DIFFERENT OUT HERE
Austin Jones going from Stanford to Lincoln Riley’s USC has to be the biggest off-season upgrade for a player in Pac-12 history
— carlos: a pac-12 enjoyer (@equitybruin) September 3, 2022
THIS SEEMS GOOD
#USC is averaging 11.2 yards per play through three drives.
— Antonio Morales (@AntonioCMorales) September 3, 2022
RALEEK-ING OUT OF THE BACKFIELD
Raleek Brown was caught dead to rights in the backfield and he just outran the dude to the sideline.
What a weapon.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) September 3, 2022
THE CALEB WILLIAMS DIFFERENCE
Incredible that #USC ran that look WITHOUT a mobile quarterback for five years.
— Gerard Martinez (@gmartlive) September 3, 2022
HUSTLE
That’s why you teach effort.
Calen Bullock hustled his ass to bring down that runner and save a TD.
He gets rewarded with an 93-yard Pick-6 #USC
— Chris Treviño (@ChrisNTrevino) September 3, 2022
NEWCOMER, NEW IMPACT
Credit that pick six to LB transfer Eric Gentry, whose smarts staying home and incredible wingspan (he's 6'6") forced the QB to rush his throw from a bad arm slot.
— RichSC (@OriginalRichSC) September 3, 2022
HE KNOWS THE POSE
#TrojanFamily, what're we rating @raleek2's celebration? pic.twitter.com/wOxuxybyrl
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) September 3, 2022
A TRUE LEE-DER
USC linebacker Shane Lee, in yet another Trojan debut, has been a major factor on defense early, with five tackles, including two for a loss, and a pass breakup already.
— Annenberg Media Sports (@ANNMediaSports) September 3, 2022
DETAILS
One thing of note: the WR and RB blocking are light years ahead of the last decade of USC football. This offense is so well coached. Every position.
— Rich Haskin (@RichHaskin) September 3, 2022
OMINOUS
#USC has not looked good matching up with Rice's big boy formations in the first half. You can't win big games getting pushed around at the goal line by the likes of Rice.
— Gerard Martinez (@gmartlive) September 3, 2022
GOOD POINT
I know, I know "It's Rice." But it was also San Jose State and UNLV and Western Michigan and so many other teams #USC was just meh against.
It's Rice and USC is doing (on offense) what USC should be doing to Rice for a change.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) September 3, 2022
