Lincoln Riley is once again under fire for how he interacts with the Los Angeles media, specifically for stopping a reporter from asking one of his players about a critical goal-line situation. In the first-ever Big Ten matchup between No. 11 USC and Minnesota, the game hinged on a crucial fourth-down attempt. After a video review, Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer was deemed to have barely crossed the goal line during a QB sneak in the final minute, putting Minnesota ahead 24-17. This moment sparked ongoing debate, especially after the Gophers secured their victory with an endzone interception, as Brosmer was initially ruled short before the referees overturned that call.
One player who had a clear view of the contentious finish was USC defensive lineman Jamil Muhammad, who was involved in the critical fourth down play. However, when a reporter sought Muhammad’s opinion on whether Minnesota scored on their last touchdown, Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley intervened and reprimanded the journalist.
A reporter asked Muhammad if he thought Minnesota had crossed into the end zone on their final TD. Lincoln Riley interjected, saying, “Nah, don’t ask him that.” When the reporter posed a follow-up question, Riley responded more sharply, “Who cares what he says on that? Like what, player’s opinion? Let’s ask a more professional question.”
A reporter asked USC’s Jamil Muhammad postgame if he thought Minnesota got into the end zone on their final TD.
Lincoln Riley interjected. “Nah, don’t ask him that.”
“Who cares what he says on that? Like what, player’s opinion? Let’s ask a more professional question.” pic.twitter.com/6lLaGioDfT
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) October 6, 2024
The incident was highlighted on X by USC beat reporter Luca Evans, garnering over one million impressions on the platform. Evans has been at the center of a prior controversy involving Riley and the Los Angeles media; in September 2023, he received a two-week ban from covering the USC program due to several reported infractions, including reporting on an overheard conversation, asking a follow-up question after a press conference had officially ended, contacting players’ parents, and using the phrase “garbage time” in an article. His credentials were reinstated after just one week amid significant national attention.
Despite traveling across two time zones, USC entered TCF Bank Stadium as strong favorites against a struggling 2-3 Gophers team, which had already lost at home to a faltering North Carolina squad and suffered a lopsided defeat to traditional Big Ten West rivals Iowa. Minnesota showed marked improvement in their latest game, overcoming a controversial officiating call that negated a critical onside kick recovery and a potential game-winning drive at Michigan, carrying that confidence into their matchup against the Trojans.
Brosmer had an impressive performance, completing 15 of 19 passes for 169 yards. He guided Minnesota into USC territory during his first two drives, with the latter resulting in a short field goal that put the Gophers up 3-0 at the end of the first quarter. The teams exchanged touchdown drives and costly fumbles on their following possessions, leading to a USC field goal that tied the game at 10 by halftime.
The Trojans had a chance to take a two-score lead early in the fourth quarter, but a critical interception by Devon Williams shifted momentum in favor of Minnesota. After Brosmer was stopped on 3rd and goal from the 1-yard line with 1:42 left, Minnesota coach PJ Fleck made a pivotal choice to run another play instead of attempting a short go-ahead field goal, allowing the clock to run down.
Fleck’s decision paid off when a subsequent video review went in their favor. It proved to be a wise move, as USC managed to drive into field goal range with just 16 seconds remaining. However, the Minnesota defense held firm, intercepting Trojans quarterback Miller Moss for the second time and sealing a significant upset victory.
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