USC Caps Regular Season with Dominant Rivalry Win Over UCLA, Finishes 9-3
On a cool Saturday night at the Coliseum, USC left no doubt about who owns Los Angeles-for now. The Trojans closed out their 2025 regular season with a convincing 29-10 win over crosstown rival UCLA, keeping the Victory Bell in cardinal and gold for another year and wrapping up a 9-3 campaign.
But this win wasn’t just about bragging rights. It was a statement-about growth, resilience, and what this program is building under Lincoln Riley.
Second-Half Surge Seals It
USC didn’t start the game firing on all cylinders, but when it mattered most, they found another gear. Riley praised his team’s second-half performance, calling it “dominant” on the defensive side and applauding the offense and special teams for stepping up when it counted.
“We just got on a big run there as a team and really separated,” Riley said after the game. “Rivalry games are always tough, and just a great way to end the season.”
That second-half push wasn’t just about execution-it was about identity. In a rivalry that can often get chaotic, USC found its rhythm and imposed its will, especially on defense, where they clamped down and kept UCLA from mounting any serious comeback.
Protecting the Coliseum: Mission Accomplished
The Trojans went a perfect 7-0 at home this season, and that’s no small feat. Riley made it clear early in the year that defending their home turf was a priority-and his team delivered.
“There was a major factor in the game tonight, and it was the Coliseum,” Riley said. “It’s been an awesome atmosphere all year. For us to run the table here at home and play the way that we did was really key to this season.”
There’s something to be said about building a fortress, and USC is doing just that. The Coliseum wasn’t just a backdrop this year-it was a weapon.
A Quiet First Quarter for Lemon and Lane
Wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane were noticeably absent during the first quarter. Riley confirmed postgame that the decision stemmed from a violation of team policy. No further details were shared, but it was a clear example of the program holding players accountable, even in a marquee rivalry game.
A Team That Paved the Way
While this USC team may not go down as the most talented group Riley will coach, he made it clear that their impact goes beyond the win-loss column.
“We’re a better team, a better program now than we were 12 months ago,” Riley said. “We’ll have better teams here in the future, but I don’t know if we’ll have had a more important team.”
That’s a powerful statement. This group helped lay the foundation for what’s coming next. They weathered adversity, grew through the season, and set the tone for future Trojans.
Senior Night Emotions
For the seniors, Saturday night marked their final game in the Coliseum-and the emotions were running high. Riley acknowledged how surreal that moment can be, both for the players and the staff.
“Kind of hard to imagine they just played their last game here,” he said. “But what a great memory to go out on. These guys helped pave the way.”
It’s a moment every college player eventually faces, but few get to walk off their home field with a rivalry win and a roaring crowd behind them. These seniors did.
Coliseum Energy Is Back-and It’s Growing
There was a time not too long ago when USC home games didn’t carry the same buzz. That time is over. Riley knows it, the players feel it, and the fans are showing up.
“Los Angeles isn’t going to show up just because-you’ve got to win, you’ve got to give them something,” Riley said. “When you do, there’s no better sports town.”
The energy at the Coliseum has been building all year, and Saturday night was the latest example. That crowd wasn’t just loud-it was engaged, electric, and part of the game. Riley sees that momentum as a crucial piece of USC’s rebuild.
“Great programs have a great home field advantage. It’s worth a lot in this game,” he said.
“That didn’t exist here for a little while. It does now.”
What’s Next?
With the regular season in the books at 9-3, USC now awaits its bowl game destination. But regardless of where they’re headed next, this team has already made its mark. They defended their home turf, beat their biggest rival, and took another step forward as a program.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a message: USC is climbing-and the Coliseum is rocking again.