USC clock management controversy, explained: Lincoln Riley responds to criticism after Trojans' late loss to Illinois

USC and Illinois entered Saturday with very different momentum — the Trojans riding high after a big win over Michigan State, and the Illini reeling from a demoralizing loss to Indiana. But Lincoln Riley’s group came up just short on the road.

Illinois largely controlled the game, though two costly turnovers gave USC life. The Trojans capitalized on one fumble, marching down the field to take the lead. That scoring drive, however, quickly came under a microscope after Illinois answered with a last-second field goal to seal the win.

After the loss, Riley found himself defending his clock management and the way USC handled its final offensive possession.

Here’s what you need to know about the controversy and Riley’s explanation.

MORE: Will Arkansas fire Sam Pittman after blowout loss to Notre Dame?

USC clock management controversy vs. Illinois, explained

With the help of an Illinois fumble, USC got the ball back trailing by six with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Trojans marched down the field and scored the go-ahead touchdown in four minutes and 26 seconds, leaving 1:55 for the Illini — who needed only a field goal to re-take the lead.

Some fans felt Riley and the Trojans should have done more to bleed the clock, limiting Illinois’ chance at a game-winning drive.

USC covered 56 yards in under two minutes on the final stretch of the possession, running four plays — three of them gaining at least 13 yards. The drive ended with a 16-yard touchdown strike to Makai Lemon, though the Trojans did try to maximize the play clock between snaps.

Here’s how Riley responded when asked about USC’s late-game clock management.

MORE: Can Kalen DeBoer silence critics vs. Georgia?

What did Lincoln Riley say about his clock management?

Riley admitted he considered trying to take more time off the clock but told reporters his team wasn't in a position to "be too cute" while trailing on the road. 

"In that moment, when you're down five, it's not like you can just sit there and be too cute with it," Riley said. "You're playing a really good defense on the road. Scoring is not easy." 

Riley explained that he's seen scenarios in which being conservative and overanalyzing the clock has cost teams.

"All of a sudden it's third down, that place is going crazy, and you've only got two shots," Riley said. 

Lincoln Riley said that he thought about bleeding more clock before USC scored its final TD with 1:55 still remaining, but “it’s not like you can just sit there and be too cute with it,” he said.

Full explanation below: pic.twitter.com/DPYebhcDpG

— Ryan Kartje (@RyanKartje) September 27, 2025

USC needed a touchdown, so there was no scenario in which the Trojans could just pick up first downs and wait around for the right moment to kick a field goal. Needing to get into the end zone, Maiava hit Lemon and ensured USC got the score it needed. If the circumstances repeated themselves, it seems as though Riley would be content to take the points again and let his defense go to work.

USC remaining schedule

USC is headed home to host Michigan before heading to South Bend for a matchup with rival Notre Dame in two games that could determine whether the Trojans have a realistic path to the College Football Playoff.