The USC Trojans’ defense transformed in 2024 thanks to the arrival of first-year defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn. After a staggering 34.4 points per game in 2023, the Trojans cut that number to 24.1 in Lynn’s debut season, a leap that didn’t go unnoticed. Coach Lincoln Riley is confident that this revitalized, hard-hitting unit could unlock USC’s championship potential in 2025.
Lincoln Riley Outlines Why USC’s Revamped Defense under D’Anton Lynn Could Dominate the Big Ten
USC’s Riley recently joined Greg McElroy on “Always College Football” to discuss the Trojans’ getting back on top. From the 9:02 mark, Riley dove into what could be the game-changer for USC in 2025: the resurgence of their defense.
“I think in year two, we’ve got two reasons to be very optimistic. One is exactly what you said—you know, the scheme’s not new install; there’s a confidence that has been built systematically here that I think is important,” Riley said… “The second part of it is, the talent is continuing to rise, especially on the defensive front.”
Riley faced his share of criticism, much of it from the defensive struggles that plagued his team, particularly during the 2023 season. That year, the Trojans surrendered 34.4 points per game, ranking them third worst in the Pac-12. Compared to the 2023 Big Ten, USC’s defense allowed four more points per game than any team in that conference, a significant weakness for a program with championship aspirations.
In a bold move to fix the issue, HC Riley brought former UCLA defensive coordinator Lynn. The impact was immediate. In 2024, the Trojans’ defense improved, allowing just 24.4 points per game. This was good enough to land them in the middle of the Big Ten pack.
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However, the improved defense didn’t translate to more wins. USC regressed in the win column, going from 8-5 in 2023 to 7-6 in 2024. So, while the metrics point to a team on the rise defensively, the ultimate question is: Can the Trojans turn statistical improvement into scoreboard success in 2025?
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