What USC Trojans Lincoln Riley Said About Eric Musselman's Support for Football Team

The USC Trojans return to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, looking to earn their second conference win over the Michigan State Spartans. Prior to each game this season, USC Trojans men's basketball coach Eric Musselman has shown his support for Riley and the Trojans through social media.

Mar 12, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; USC Trojans head coach Eric Musselman calls out a play during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans football program is a success-driven program fueled by students, student-athletes, faculty, and other athletic programs on campus.

For USC men's basketball coach Eric Musselman, his outward support for Riley and the team has not gone unnoticed.

Musselman Leans on Students, Social Media to Back USC Football

Jan 14, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Eric Musselman poses with fans after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Musselman is entering just his second season with the Trojans, and has already influenced the student-body to show their support on Saturday's for USC Football.

Through social media, Musselman has shared multiple posts supporting the Trojans on Saturday's, even when they're on the road. Musselman's most recent post involved a full football uniform, running through the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with excitement, only to see an empty stadium.

Must be a road game 🤷🏼‍♂️ @uscfb pic.twitter.com/0VxvAjdkAo

— Eric Musselman (@EricPMusselman) September 13, 2025

The impact of Musselman's support has drawn attention. After Tuesday's practice, Riley shared that Musselman's energy is unmatched.

"Yeah, Muss is great. His energy is crazy. He does some things I wish I could get myself to do," Riley told the media after Tuesday's practice.

Before each USC Trojans football game this season, Musselman has posted a video on social media to help promote their matchup.

Jan 4, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Eric Musselman reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Entering season two as head coach, Musselman brings a lot of experience and basketball IQ to the Trojans, despite their slow progress last season.

USC finished last season 16-17 overall and 7-13 overall, with notable wins over then-No. 13 Illinois on the road, then-No. 7 Michigan State in the Galen Center and a double-overtime win over Rutgers in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.

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In the offseason, Musselman and the coaching staff put together an impressive transfer and freshman class.

The transfers include Auburn transfer Chad Baker-Mazara, Maryland transfer Rodney Rice and Virginia transfer Jacob Cofie. As for the freshman class, true freshman Alijah Arenas was the No. 1 recruit in the 2026 class, but reclassified to 2025, before suffering a torn meniscus to miss majority of the upcoming season.

USC Trojans vs. Michigan State: Big Ten After Dark

Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts during the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

The Trojans are seeking their second conference win this Saturday against Michigan State in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 8 p.m. PT.

Like USC, the Spartans enter week 4 undefeated, but will face the Trojans as their first on the road and conference contest.

The high-stakes matchup will be another chance for USC to take advantage of their explosive offense, especially with a weaker Michigan State defensive unit.

With quarterback Jayden Maiava leading the Big Ten in passing yards with 989 and six touchdowns. Wide receivers Makai Lemon, Ja'Kobi Lane and Tanook Hines are the trio the Spartans should fear.

All three bring different qualities to their on-field performance, Lane's ability to catch deep passes, with Lemon's short receptions turned into extra yards and Hine's competitive and ambitious playing style, looking to grab any pass, will be difficult to defend.

The Spartans have allowed 70 points through three games, while USC has only allowed 50. Linebacker Eric Gentry makes the Big Ten leaderboard with 21 solo tackles and three sacks. Safety Bishop Fitzgerald leads the conference with three interceptions through three games.

Michigan State's Nick Marsh catches a pass while warming up before the game against Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan State's quarterback Aidan Chiles and wide receiver Nick Marsh will bring the intensity up against the Trojans. Marsh has 16 receptions for 194 receiving yards, along with Chiles' 656 passing yards, 58 of 81 passing and six touchdowns.

USC is a 17.5-point favorite, per ESPN Bet, and should improve to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

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