# After yet another inexcusable loss to Wisconsin, the Lincoln Riley era at USC looks to be nearing an end

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/after-yet-another-inexcusable-loss-to-wisconsin-the-lincoln-riley-era-at-usc-looks-to-be-nearing-an-end/
- Published: 2026-10-25T22:31:45+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-25T23:10:29+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Far right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/inexcusable-loss-wisconsin-lincoln-riley-era-usc-nearing-end
- Topics: Americas, Football, Sport, World

## Key points

- USC lost 17-10 at Wisconsin.
- The defeat revived questions about Riley’s leadership.
- USC’s offence struggled, with minus-17 rushing yards overall.

## Summary

USC’s 17-10 loss at Wisconsin has renewed questions about Lincoln Riley’s future, after the Trojans appeared to be building momentum towards a possible College Football Playoff place. The article argues that the defeat exposed familiar problems with discipline, coaching and performance on the road, making a hoped-for turning point look less likely.

USC entered the game 5-1, following a 31-23 win at Penn State, and had a top-ranked recruiting class, returning quarterback Jayden Maiava and new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson. Against Wisconsin, Maiava threw two interceptions and the Trojans’ running game finished with minus-17 yards, including minus-57 rushing yards for the quarterback. USC also gave up a touchdown after failing to adjust to an unusual fourth-down formation; the supplied article text ends before describing the rest of the game.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.