Practice Report: Utah vs. USC Rematch Not a 'Revenge Game' for Lincoln Riley

In a season that feels like it is written by Hollywood, it's fitting that USC Football will get one more chance to face Utah. 

The Utes represent the Trojans' sole loss in what has been a remarkable season so far. Friday's Pac-12 Championship Game is an opportunity for USC to "right its wrong" from October and prove that it has grown from its performance against Kyle Whittingham's team.

It's a compelling storyline for onlookers and fans alike, but it doesn't appear to be the motivating factor for the Trojans. Head coach Lincoln Riley shared a grounded perspective when speaking about the matchup Tuesday.

"This is not a revenge game," Riley said. "That's not that's not what this is. We played a really good football game, as did Utah up in Salt Lake. It was an elite college football game that came down to one play here or there. They got us that time, but this is not about that game."

Oddly enough, this is not the first time Riley has been in this specific situation as a head coach. Riley's 2018 Oklahoma team lost to Texas in October, but later went on to defeat the Longhorns in the conference title game that same season. In 2020, Riley's OU team lost to Iowa State in October, but defeated the Cyclones the second time around in the Big 12 Championship Game.

"It's good to have some of that experience that we've had," Riley said. "I think you've got to  understand that maybe the way the first one played out is not necessarily the way the second one plays out. A lot of times, actually, they play out very, very differently in terms of flow of the game and just how it goes."

Riley has previously touted how his coaching staff has "been there before" in important postseason games. That's even more so true heading into Friday's conference title game, which allows him to uniquely tailor his message to his team.

"We've challenged the guys to reset; understand that this game is gonna be a different game, different challenge, different setting," Riley explained. "You've gotta be ready to respond to that, especially against a tremendous team like Utah."

Notes from USC's Tuesday practice of Pac-12 Championship Week:

• Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid had a historic night against the Trojans in October's matchup. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch shared his thoughts on scheming against the dynamic Ute once again:

  • "As a competitor, it certainly doesn't take playing them again to be reminded, it's a constant anytime someone has a career game against you, and there's a level of embarrassment about it," Grinch said. "But also, if a guy scores 40, in a basketball game, then you've got to go play him again, you can't assume he's gonna score 40 again."

  • "[Kincaid] made some big time plays and big time throws to get in there, and we didn't do a very good job of getting him on the ground. If he makes big time throws, and big time catches, and we don't tackle him, I know exactly what's gonna happen. It's going to be the same damn thing…It's all hands on deck, when you are playing an opponent like this, and one that you have a lot of respect for."

• Inside linebacker Shane Lee shared some insight on how quarterback Caleb Williams is handling the increased attention he's received as a Heisman hopeful:

  • "He's the same guy, so it makes it easy for us because he's not focusing on it," Lee said. "He's not talking about it. We're focused on winning these games, so that makes it really easy for us."

• Lee also shared a play of Williams' that still stuns him to this day:

  • "I still go back to the spring. He hit me with a no-look pass in the spring practice and I'm still kind of in shock about that," Lee explained."Hee's amazing. He's a one-of-one man, just in what he's able to do. He keeps us alive and he's the heartbeat of the team."

• USC's defenders prides themselves on being a "takeaway defense." Lee shared that the Trojans have focused on the importance of turnovers since the inception of Grinch's tenure as defensive coordinator:

  • "Probably like the first day," Lee explained.  "We talk about it every day. Like all day, every day. That's part of our defense. Three-and-out,takeaways. It's embedded in the language and the culture. It's something that we pride ourselves on and that we take seriously."

Quick Hits with Keely:

Tuesday's media availability: