Lincoln Riley knows exactly where Saturday night at Beaver Stadium can turn for USC: on defense.
The No. 19 Trojans are headed into Penn State’s whiteout environment, and the margin figures to be razor-thin. USC is also walking into a game where road success has been hard to come by under Riley, and that makes every defensive snap feel even bigger against the Nittany Lions.
That side of the ball gave the Trojans a lift in last week’s 25-21 win over Washington, when defensive coordinator Gary Patterson moved from the sidelines to the booth. USC still had its issues, but the defense came up with enough stops and enough splash to get over the line and beat the Huskies for the first time since 2016.
“Obviously, the way we played defensively was certainly the difference,” Riley said. “Just some stretches of really dominant play.
Had the fumble return for the touchdown, which was obviously, if not the most singular, biggest play of the game. Then just some key stops, especially getting some in there during the fourth quarter.”
He said the group kept answering even against one of the country’s top quarterbacks.
“We continued to answer the bell against one of the best quarterbacks in the country [Washington’s Demond Williams Jr.]. Really proud of the way we played.
I thought we played pretty aggressive. I thought the front was pretty impactful in both the run and the pass game.
That’s what we’ve really been challenging our group to do,” Riley continued.
That kind of impact could matter again this weekend. A play like defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart’s scoop-and-score against Washington may be the sort of swing moment USC needs if this one turns into a tight, back-and-forth battle.
The Trojans are underdogs again for the second time this season. DraftKings Sportsbook lists USC as a 1.5-point underdog, with the over/under at 54.5 points.
The only other time USC was in that spot came in its 41-27 home loss to No. 13 Oregon at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Now the Trojans are trying to flip the script on the road, with their CFP hopes possibly hanging in the balance.
Penn State enters having dropped its last two games to Wisconsin and Northwestern after being ranked No. 13 in the AP Top 25 Poll, and the Nittany Lions are dealing with what the source described as an identity issue in all three phases under coach Matt Campbell.
USC and Penn State have met once since the Trojans joined the Big Ten in 2024, and that one went to overtime. Penn State won 33-30 at the Coliseum when it was ranked No. 4.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. PT at Beaver Stadium and will be broadcast on NBC.
In Other News...
Penn State Faces Two Big Concerns Before White Out Vs USC
Penn State spent part of the week clearing the air before a White Out showdown with USC, and the messaging from the podium was pointed enough to show where the pressure points are. A press conference with head coach Matt Campbell, defensive coordinator DAnton Lynn, quarterback Rocco Becht, offensive guard Cooper Cousins and linebacker Cael Brezina gave the usual game-week mix of injury updates and self-scouting, with receiver Koby Howards status drawing attention as the Nittany Lions continue to manage their depth.
Just as notable was the tone around the offense and defense after the Northwestern game, where the conversation turned to quarterback play, overall offensive struggles and what this teams identity needs to look like going forward. On the other side of the ball, the defense is still sorting through challenges that were exposed in that recent trip, and with USC coming into a White Out atmosphere, Penn State does not have much margin for lingering issues to linger much longer. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State White Out Just Became A Snapshot Of This Teams Pressure
The White Out is still one of the biggest scenes in college football, but this years version at Beaver Stadium is carrying an unusual edge. Resale prices have dropped sharply in recent days, reflecting how quickly the mood has shifted around Penn State after an 0-2 start in Big Ten play and a pair of recent losses. What is usually a premium ticket has become a barometer for the pressure building around a team that entered the season with much different expectations.
Matt Campbell acknowledged the struggle and said the focus has to be on growth and improvement, even as the program leans on the same fan base that has made the White Out a signature event. The contrast is hard to miss: a national showcase still capable of drawing attention, paired with a season that suddenly feels more fragile than it did a few weeks ago. How Penn State responds on that stage will say a lot about where this team is headed next. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Alumni Are Making Early NFL Noise For Multiple Teams
Penn States NFL footprint was hard to miss in the latest round of games, with several former Nittany Lions turning up in key moments for their new teams. Jahan Dotson found the end zone for the Atlanta Falcons, Pat Freiermuth hauled in a touchdown for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Mike Gesicki scored for the Cincinnati Bengals, giving the program another reminder that its alumni keep showing up on Sundays.
The defense joined the party, too, as Odafe Oweh delivered a sack and forced fumble for the Washington Commanders. Tyler Warren emerged as one of the Indianapolis Colts top targets, while Theo Johnson added a touchdown for the New York Giants, a spread of production that reflects how widely Penn State talent is already being trusted across the league. [Read more 🡒]