USC Football: Lincoln Riley Bans Players From Media For First Time In 20 Years After Utes Loss

After the Trojans lost to Utah this weekend, there was a feeling of major uncertainty around the program. That only continued when it was announced that no players would be available to speak to the media.

Derek Peterson of SaturdayOutWest revealed how long it's been since USC made their players unviable for comment.

“Lincoln Riley was the only member of USC’s football team to meet the media Saturday night following a 34-32 home loss to Utah. It marked the first time this season that the Trojans did not make players available to reporters after a game, and several longtime writers shared that it is the first time in more than a decade that players haven’t spoken following a game.”

Per Derek Peterson of SaturdayOutWest.com

This is an awful look from a program that has lost two games in a row, and it shows a lack of leadership from the top. Head coach Lincoln Riley takes full blame for this, and this is another example of him possibly being in over his head with the Trojans.

Riley seems to have taken a step back in terms of everything this season, and it’s playing out very publicly right now. The Trojans' dream of winning the National Championship is all but dead, and now they have to find a way to salvage the season.

“Riley was being heavily criticized for the loss when the game went final. He didn’t really need to give anyone more ammunition. But after briefly suspending access for a reporter earlier this year (and then rescinding that suspension shortly after), Riley’s media policies have been a topic of controversy already this year.”

Per Derek Peterson of SaturdayOutWest.com

If Riley wants to save face, he needs to own up to this. The media in Los Angeles are fairly unforgiving, and things could get ugly for him. He needs to understand that he can’t handle things like he would at his previous jobs, due to the magnitude of the Trojans program.

For the first time in the 14 years I've been covering #USC, the school did not make any players available to speak with the media.@insidetroy said its the first time in his 20+ years that no players were made available to speak.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) October 22, 2023

The clock is ticking on Riley, and unless the on-the-field play gets better, it could all come down upon him sooner rather than later.

Don't forget to join our community at LA Sports Report, where we celebrate all things Trojans!