USC Trojans Coach Lincoln Riley's Questionable Clock Management vs. Texas A&M Aggies

The USC Trojans are facing the Texas A&M Aggies in the Las Vegas Bowl. In a close first half, USC coach Lincoln Riley made questionable clock management decisions while closing out the first half.

Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans beat the Texas A&M Aggies in the Las Vegas Bowl 35-31. The Trojans ended the 2024 regular season with a 6-6 record, while the Aggies ended 8-4. After the bowl game, USC finishes above .500.

While the game remained close, USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley made questionable clock management decisions to close out the first half. The Trojans had possession of the ball with two minutes to go and all three-time outs. With a roughing the punter penalty on a hit to Eddie Czaplicki, the Trojans earned an automatic first down. 

Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The penalty put the Trojans in field goal range with all three time outs. It was the perfect opportunity to push for a touchdown with plenty of time on the clock. Though it was set up this way, there was no urgency by the Trojans' offense. USC ran the ball with running back Bryan Jackson, letting the clock run down and not using any time outs.

Riley used his first time out with 30 seconds remaining in the half ahead of a third and short play. The Trojans were just short of the first down marker, having to kick a field goal. Riley used his second time out with 18 seconds to go ahead of the kick. USC kicker Michael Lantz ended up missing the 39-yard field goal attempt.

Instead of pushing down the field aggressively, Riley chose to play it safe. It ultimately ended with the Trojans not taking advantage of their field position following the penalty. The Trojans and Texas A&M entered halftime with a tied score of 7-7.

Additionally, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava led the Trojans offense down to the goal line with a chance to win the game with less than two minutes remaining. After a late substitution from Texas A&M, a delay of game penalty was called on the Trojans, moving them back five yards. However, Maiava found wide receiver Kyle Ford in the end zone with eight seconds on the clock for the game-winning touchdown.

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USC’s offense struggled to get downfield early in the game. The lone USC touchdown in the first half came off a 30-yard reception by wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane. It was an explosive play from Maiava, just what the Trojans needed to stay in the game.

Jackson has been doing well stepping up in place of running backs Woody Marks and Quinten Joyner. Jackson totaled 66 rushing yards in the win over the Aggies.

USC stayed in the game mainly thanks to their defense. USC safety Kamari Ramsey caught an interception in the first quarter, and in the second quarter, Akili Arnold came out with a crucial red zone interception. The Trojans offense scored a touchdown in the first half, but there has to be better clock management.

Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

USC lost 19 players in the portal, is missing key positions due to players opting out, and the Trojans are already dealing with injuries in this game. On the roughing the punter penalty, USC punter Eddie Czaplicki was down on the field. Despite walking off under his own power, he was seen holding his knee. It is still unknown if Czaplicki will return to the game. The Trojans also lost offensive tackle Elijah Paige in the first quarter. Paige was carted to the locker room with what appeared to be a left ankle injury. 

Texas A&M received the ball in the second half and scored a touchdown in under four minutes. With the second half underway, Riley and the Trojans will need to be more aggressive on the offense in order to beat Mike Elko and the Aggies. 

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