USC’s 26-21 victory over Iowa on Saturday was not exactly played in optimal weather conditions. The Hawkeyes seemingly brought the Midwest weather with them to Southern California, with it raining throughout the day. Not suprisingly, attendance at the Coliseum was fairly mediocre, as USC fans are not exactly used to the rain.
However, those who did show up to the game certainly showed out. The Coliseum was loud throughout the afternoon, especially in the second half as the Trojans came back from a double-digit deficit to win the football game. At one point, there was even a large group of students who took off their shirts, undeterred by the weather.
Following the game, USC’s players ran over to high five and celebrate with the student section. Having attended numerous games at the Coliseum over the years, I do not think that is something I have seen there before.
In the postgame press conference, head coach Lincoln Riley made sure to give a shoutout to the students.
“Our students have brought it all year,” Riley said. “There’s been constant energy over there all year, and our team feels it. They do. So I will say thank you to our students, and they’re a part of these cool moments that are happening. We said it from day one when we got here. It’s gonna take everybody. It’s not just everybody in the program; it’s everybody, and to be able to share that moment with them, for our whole team, was pretty cool.”
“I feel like we can’t do it without them,” wide receiver Maki Lemon added. “So we just got to thank them. I’m glad we won, and everybody’s happy.”
The Trojans were able to get a victory in front of their home crowd on Saturday. This week, however, they will have a much tougher challenge, when they will travel to Eugene, Oregon and play a road game in one of the most hostile environments in the Big Ten.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Lincoln Riley, USC players appreciated support from students during Iowa game
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
