Trojan veterans blast Lincoln Riley, USC after bowl collapse

Matt Leinart went to bed early.

Tired from hosting family for the holidays and planning to get up early for practice, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner and star. USC The quarterback couldn't wait for his alma mater's game against Texas Christian to end. in the Alamo bowl on Tuesday evening.

He probably doesn't regret this decision.

After a 10-point lead slipped away in the final minutes of regulation time, The Trojans ultimately lost in overtime 30-27. after TCU running back Jeremy Payne caught a check pass on third-and-20 and broke several tackles on his way to the end zone for the game-winning 35-yard touchdown.

It was a disappointing 9-4 season ending that many Trojan fans already considered a disappointment after the team failed to reach the College Football Playoff for the fourth time in as many seasons under the coach. Lincoln Riley.

A number of former USC players took to social media during and after the game to express their disappointment. Leinart was not originally one of them, although some thought he was commentating for the Alamo Bowl. when he wrote“No one cares… I promise!” Tuesday evening, X.

The verified TCU Football account later reposted Leinart's post and wrote: “keep crying“, a play on USC's rallying cry of “Fight!”

Wednesday morning Leinart wrote that his comment actually “had nothing to do with the USC game lol.” In the video About an hour later, the two-time NCAA national champion said he had missed the last three trips because he went to bed early. He did, however, offer brief thoughts on last night's result and the state of Trojan football.

“Not a great way to end the season,” the Fox Sports analyst said. “It is what it is at the moment. Big offseason.”

Sua CravensUSC's standout safety and linebacker from 2013-15 also noted that next year will be a make-or-break year for the Riley-coached Trojans.

“Another year has passed and we are marching through the same place where football is above average!” Cravens wrote on X. “I pray to God that this recruiting class and offseason will squeeze every ounce of talent and work ethic out of this team next year. Because in my opinion, either you make the playoffs next year or this was a failed experiment. Plain and simple!”

Cravens, who covers the Rams for ESPN in Los Angeles, added some constructive advice in a separate, lengthy post.

“Get more former players to teach and show these guys what it really means to be a Trojan!!!!” he wrote. “Let the practices be open again, and let every media camera be out of the way, and create a Pete Carroll. [sic] competitive atmosphere! Pressure makes diamonds!!! …

“REALLY HOLD THE PLAYERS ACCOUNTABLE IN THE FILM SHOW AND PUT THEM ON THE BENCH WHEN THEY MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE!!!! Let's get to the bottom of the problems.”

LenDale Whitewho won two national titles with the Trojans during Carroll's tenure, has offered to be one of those former players returning as coach.

“@uscfb I'm ready to be on staff, it's time,” former runner. wrote on X. “What are we going to do???”

White also had this to say about the Trojans' performance in the Alamo Bowl: letter “Have you ever tackled the ball or is it always about attacking?” — and is forced to endure more than two decades without a national title.

“I really don't even know why I'm angry. I knew better lol. My fault!!!” White wrote. “Maybe one day I'll see them in the playoffs, maybe one day, looks like that can't happen anytime soon!! and I hope I can eat my words.”

Former USC sniper Jake Olson X was asked what he thought of Riley and the Trojans after Tuesday night's collapse.

“I expressed my thoughts about [Riley] pretty clear during the season. Today’s game, although reminiscent of the season, is, to be honest, probably not the best indicator.” Olson wrote. “But obviously there are problems – problems that are still here from 4 years ago. Simply put, this is not the same.”

Olson continued in the comments: “Except I'll add this. It's alarming to see how clueless Riley seems at times. He has regressed so much, especially in the game. For 11 million a year and having offense as his strong suit has become very sad.”