USC scores fewest points ever by Lincoln Riley-coached team in loss to Wisconsin
By Andrew Olson
Published:
A rough year for Lincoln Riley hit a new low on Saturday night. For the first time in his coaching career, Riley’s team managed to score just 7 points.
A road favorite in Madison, No. 16 USC lost 24-7 to unranked Wisconsin on Saturday night. It’s the worst scoring output for Riley, who was long regarded as an offensive guru, in his head coaching career.
Take a moment to digest. Lincoln Riley has NEVER put up just 7 points in a game as a head coach. Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin thoroughly dismantled Lincoln Riley’s USC. What a massive, awful, shocking loss.
— Ira Gorawara (@IraGorawara) October 25, 2026
No. 16 USC’s 7 points vs. Wisconsin are the FEWEST points ever scored in a game under Lincoln Riley 🤯 Wisconsin’s defense came to PLAY 😮💨 https://t.co/1hlNXOPmOu
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 25, 2026
RELATED: California doesn’t have sports betting, but Underdog is legal in California, and SDS has the full rundown.
USC could not get anything going on the ground against Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin defense. The Trojans finished with -17 rushing yards, due to 57 yards being taken off the rushing total due to 5 sacks of USC QB Jayden Maiava.
With the run game not working, USC called on Maiava to throw the ball 50 times. Maiava completed 31 passes for 258 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
The loss drops USC to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The Trojans will try to bounce back on Halloween when they host Ohio State.
Like our coverage? Make SDS a preferred source in your searches!
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
