Lincoln Riley Doesn't Hold Back on Importance of USC's Fall Camp Scrimmage

Following Day 11 of the Trojans' fall camp, Lincoln Riley opened up to the media about the scrimmage on Wednesday night, Aug. 11. On top of setting the tone physically, the scrimmage will be used to get players ready for gamedays and determine key position battles.

Scrimmage Intensity and Preparation

USC Trojans Big Ten Scrimmage Fall Camp Lincoln Riley Gary Patterson Mike Ekeler AJ Howard Position Battles — Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley celebrates after kicker Ryon Sayeri (48) hit a 54-yard field goal in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“We're going to look at the roster, make a decision on who we want to see in some live situations, some live tackling. Then some of the guys will keep thud tomorrow. And I think those are some of the biggest decisions we have as coaches right now just based on the nature of practices that we've had up to this point,” Riley said about Wednesday's scrimmage.

Riley added that tackling will likely be a 50-50 split between “live and thud.” Players’ in-game experience will be another factor heading into scrimmage. The main goal is for the Trojans to be situational sound and get the flow of gamedays.

To set the tone for the atmosphere, the Trojans will be at the Coliseum for the scrimmage.

“There's a little bit more kind of natural game flow in these as opposed to maybe a practice where you're bouncing around doing different things. And so seeing how we operate on the sidelines, see how we operate with the tablets, seeing how we communicate. And then yeah, I think we're really looking at all of our guys.”

The Trojans coach also shouted out the young players who have shown out during fall camp.

“You can certainly maybe highlight some of the younger, newer guys…We get in those scenarios – do they really get back to trusting what they've been doing on the field and trying to see guys not kind of go out of their way or out of their element, you know, to try to make plays or to stand out guys just to really do their job,” Riley shared. “So, it's been a good camp. I feel like we're getting a pretty good grasp of what this team is right now. We're definitely focusing on developing our depth and that'll definitely be a focus point of it tomorrow as well.”

USC Trojans' Team Health and Injuries

USC Trojans Big Ten Offensive Line Kilian O'Connor Kaylon Miller Tobias Raymond Wili Wascher Kannon Smith — Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (30) celebrates with offensive lineman Kaylon Miller (60) and offensive lineman Justin Tauanuu (74) after scoring on a 5-yard touchdown run against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

On Thursday Aug. 6, the Trojans lost their starting center, Kilian O’Connor, to a season-ending injury. He was one of the five returning linemen and an important leader on the offensive side of the ball. Although Riley did not have any health updates on the center, he shared that they are looking into a medical red-shirt year for O’Connor.

“We're still investigating that," Riley told reporters. “Obviously, that's a new rule and Kilian's situation is a little unique. So, when I have an update on that, I'll let you guys know.”

As for long-term injuries, O’Connor is the only one. Freshman receiver Rodrerick Tezeno has been non-participant due to a foot injury, but Riley shared that he is on track to come back soon.

“Everybody else has been able to participate in some manner up to this point, which is, you know, has been really positive. We've got a couple of just kind of your normal nicks, bumps, and bruises, Riley said. “We got a couple of minor soft tissue injuries that have held guys out for a little bit of time. In terms of the start of the season and all that, my hope is the only two guys that aren't available, maybe game one are Kilian and Tezeno. And I think we're trending that way.”

Riley admitted that there have been moments at practice where the coaching staff has had to hold their breath but the team is fortunate there has been no serious injuries during fall camp.

The Trojans’ new facility, the Bloom Football Performance Center, has also played a critical role in aiding the players’ health.

“The efficiency of their recovery is just so different. It's hard for me to even explain how different it is…the maximizing of these guys' recovery. I think we've certainly felt the results of it during camp,” Riley said about the Bloom. “As the season goes along, like you're just going to feel it more and more. We've settled into a pretty nice routine. The guys are learning how to use the facility. So are we as a staff, how to maximize their time and use all the bells and whistles that we have in here to make a difference.”

Center Competition and Other Position Battles

USC Trojans Breck Kolojay Zach Hanson Keenyi Pepe Injury Elijah Paige Recruiting IMG Academy Tobias Raymond Spring Practice — USC Trojans offensive line coach Zach Hanson and freshman offensive tackle Chase Deniz | USC Trojans on SI

Riley did not downplay the importance of how Wednesday's scrimmage will determine who will replace O’Connor at center.

“It's a big one. I mean that's definitely fair to say,” Riley said about the center competition. “It's a little bit different situation than anything we'll put them in holistically the entire camp. We're definitely paying attention to the centers. I mean, we're fortunate we have four guys we feel like can play it, which I don't know if I've ever went into camp thinking we have five that could.”

Freshman Kannon Smith, red-shirt sophomore Kaylon Miller, red-shirt freshman Wili Wascher and red-shirt junior Tobias Raymond will be competing for the job.

“To still have four [players] after an injury like that is a very positive thing for the football team and all four of those guys have been impressive. And several of those guys obviously have position flexibility and can play or have played other positions,” Riley said.

Once the center position is decided, the next job for the coaching staff will be to assess the starting line as a whole.

“We're working through some different combinations to to not only settle in on, you know, what we think might be the game one starters, but then you're also starting to think ahead of contingencies and how if this piece moved, how that might affect the rest of the group. So, our flexibility right now in being able to handle an injury like we have with Kilian is much different than it's probably been in years past.”

Besides the center position, Riley alluded to other position battles that will be happening at the scrimmage.

“The added talent, the roster, the way we've recruited and developed, there's just so many position battles ongoing. There's so much competition at all these spots and so for us to go get in the Coliseum and get into the feel of the closest thing that we'll do to a true game. It'll give us a really good shot of where these guys are at.”

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, and X for the latest news.

Add us as a preferred source on Google