HOUSTON, November 2, 2026 — USC head football coach Lincoln Riley has been named Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week following the Trojans’ upset 30-18 win over No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday.
Despite being outgained 464 to 338, and trailing in time of possession 39:28 to 20:32, the Trojans made the most out of their time and field position in an efficient offensive performance. Until the very last drive of the game, USC did not start a single drive inside its own 25-yard line; and until the final two minutes of the game, the Buckeyes were held out of the end zone.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
Just one week after the unranked Trojans were held to just seven points in a 24-7 loss at Wisconsin, the Trojans matched that offensive output on just the second play from scrimmage as Jayden Maiava connected with Trent Mosley on a 69-yard touchdown strike that capped a two-play, 75-yard drive just 39 seconds into the contest. OSU responded with the first of four field goals by Connor Hawkins before the Trojans scored again, using a nine-yard run by Waymond Jordan to pull ahead 14-3 after one quarter.
The two teams traded field goals back and forth during the second quarter, with perhaps the most critical series of the game by the USC defense coming with just under two minutes to play in the half. A run by the Buckeyes’ Luke Fahey was initially called a touchdown, but after review, the call on the field was overturned and the Buckeyes instead had first-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
After stopping Bo Jackson on first down, a false start pushed the Buckeyes back to the five-yard line, and USC’s defense forced a pair of incomplete passes on second and third down, forcing OSU to settle for a field goal.
USC extended its lead to 27-9 midway through the third quarter after another quick-strike score – Maiava connected with Mark Bowman on a 70-yard pass to open its drive and give the Trojans the ball at the OSU three-yard line, then two plays later King Miller found the end zone with a one-yard run.
The Buckeyes attempted to rally in the fourth quarter, as Hawkins’ fourth field goal – a 47-yarder – on the first play of the quarter pulled the Trojans to within 27-12, and in the closing minutes the Buckeyes drove 80 yards downfield to reach the end zone for the first time on a one-yard touchdown pass with 2:12 remaining to pull to within 27-18.
However, the Trojans returned the subsequent onside kick attempt deep into Ohio State territory, setting up a 32-yard field goal by Caden Chittenden that set the score at its final margin.
The win moves the Trojans to No. 18 in the AP Top 25 poll and No. 17 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
USC is idle this weekend, and will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 14 at defending national champion Indiana.
Each week through the remainder of the season, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will recognize a coach for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week is chosen by a committee of national college football media members. Riley’s selection follows previous selections of UCF’s Scott Frost, Auburn’s Alex Golesh, Oklahoma’s Brent Venables, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri’s Luke Fickell, Ole Miss’ Pete Golding, Oklahoma State Eric Morris, Western Michigan’s Lance Taylor and Memphis’ Charles Huff.
Fans can follow the lead up to January’s annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony at facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or Instagram.com/bryantawards or the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive, VIP experience visit bryantawards.org.
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