USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley was there in Las Vegas for the Big Ten Media Days on Thursday. He was pretty clear on the expectations he has from the program in 2025 as they try to make their way back to the national championship glory.
Taking to the podium, Riley thanked the administration and the athletic director for their support of the football program. Riley said (2:00):
“It’s great to be back here at the beginning of the season—a season that we’re very much anticipating. Year two in the Big Ten, and there’s so much excitement within the walls right now of USC Football.
“I give a lot of credit to our administration, to Jen Cohen—our athletic director—and all of the support around our football program, because it’s very apparent that USC is extremely serious about making this football program, and returning it to being one of the greats in college football.”
Riley joined the Trojans in 2022. He was successful in his first season, leading the Trojans to an 11-3 record. The following season, the Trojans managed an 8-5 record, including 5-4 in the Pac-12. Riley managed to win the Holiday Bowl game. Last season, the Trojans were once again lacklustre, putting together a 7-6 record, including a 4-5 record in their first year in the Big Ten.
Lincoln Riley Sounded Confident in his QB1 at Big Ten Media Days
In his address, Lincoln Riley also spoke about their starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Last season, the program went with Miller Moss as their starting quarterback. However, Moss, who completed 233 of 362 passes for 2,555 yards with 18 touchdowns against nine interceptions, was replaced by Jayden Maiava after nine games, especially after the key loss against Washington State.
Maiava, who has done nothing but impress by his performance in the remaining four games of the 2024 season, seems to have earned the trust of Riley to lead the program in 2025. Talking about him, Riley said:
“He started 4 games last year, against really good defenses. He made some huge, unbelievable plays. His arm talent and decisiveness he plays with is really unique. He can be really special.”
USC’s Lincoln Riley on QB Jayden Maiava: “He started 4 games last year, against really good defenses. He made some huge, unbelievable plays. His arm talent & decisiveness he plays w/is really unique. He can be really special”
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 24, 2025
In his first game as a starter at USC, he led the Trojans to a 28-20 win against Nebraska. In that game, he threw for 249 yards and totaled four touchdowns (three passing and one rushing). He also led USC to a 35-31 comeback victory in the 2024 Las Vegas Bowl, throwing for 295 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.
It remains to be seen if Maiava can continue with his bright performances for USC in 2025.
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