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Lincoln Riley delivers emphatic defense of QB Miller Moss amidst losing streak
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Lincoln Riley isn’t backing away from Miller Moss as USC’s starting quarterback, even as the Trojans suffered their 3rd straight loss in Week 8.
USC has now played 4 out of the last 5 games to be decided by 7 points or less. Unfortunately, the Trojans are 0-4 in those matchups without the ability to put things away late in games.
Nevertheless, there is no QB change coming for the Trojans. Speaking to the media on Monday night with a short week coming up, Riley was emphatic by saying it is “100%” that Moss is still the starter.
As for Moss’s mental status, Riley believes the QB is still in a good spot but admitted there is a sort of “mind trick” being played on the team. The head coach remains adamant that the game tape shows a team playing well and improving (including Moss), but the end results have been losses.
“I think he’s in a good place. I think like all of us, he’s had to — it’s kind of a mind trick on you right now. People that watch the tape and watch how we’ve played and how they’ve progressed, that tells you one thing,” claimed Riley. “And then you go look at the record and it tells you another thing. You’ve got to really stay true to what you see on tape, what can we do to get better and then how do we have to do to just keep going.
“He’s had to do that, and everybody in our program has had to do that. It’s just part of it. Its part of being a leader, it’s part of having the word “quarterback” by your name… Everyone goes through tough stretches. The best ones continue to battle.”
Riley’s mention to the tape brought up another question, especially considering some of Moss’s decisions late in games. He threw 4th-quarter interceptions in the losses to Penn State and Minnesota while also throwing 2nd-half picks against Michigan and Maryland.
Nevertheless, acknowledged those miscues but also sees some impressive execution from Moss. Ultimately, Riley says the performance of Moss has had the Trojans in position to win every game this season.
“He’s still executing at a very high level. He’s making a lot of plays, a lot of really good decisions,” Riley said. “There’s always going to be a couple mistakes, and the ones that he’s had certainly can’t kill us. He’s had a few that have obviously got to be better, but he’s made a lot of plays… I still think he’s playing at a very high level. I expect him to improve but he’s also the guy that has put us in position to win all 7 of these (games).”
Overall, Moss does have strong numbers with just shy of 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season. However, his 6 interceptions are worrisome, considering their impact late in games. Now, Moss and the offense will try to cut down the mistakes with a visit from Rutgers in Week 9.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.