USC Fans Call for Lincoln Riley's Firing Amidst Poor Performance
Chants of "Fire Lincoln" erupted from the student section during the Trojans' Week 5 matchup against Washington.
USC football fans expressed their frustration with head coach Lincoln Riley during the team's Week 5 game against Washington, with audible "Fire Lincoln" chants emerging from the student section. The discontent surfaced in the third quarter after USC's offense struggled to gain yardage, resulting in a three-and-out.
A video of the chants, posted on X by @BarstoolSC, quickly gained traction, accumulating tens of thousands of views within an hour. Social media platforms also became a venue for fan criticism, with users sharing graphics and comments lambasting the team's performance, particularly the defense's tackling.
One user, @USC_4, posted a graphic depicting Riley in a burning dumpster, while another, @zje214, commented on the defensive struggles, referencing missed tackles that led to a long touchdown reception for Washington's tight end Decker DeGraaf. A user named @GCumsox criticized the team's decision to suspend a long-standing rivalry game, implying it was a misguided attempt to prioritize playoff contention.
Despite the fan backlash, USC ultimately secured a 25-21 victory over Washington.