Lincoln Riley happy for Miller Moss to earn start in Holiday Bowl

Miller Moss may not be who Lincoln Riley envisioned starting the final game of the season for the USC Trojans, but he’s confident in his quarterback.

With Caleb Williams and Malachi Nelson taking their football journey in a different direction, USC is turning to Moss against the Louisville Cardinals in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl. Speaking with the media, Riley explained how excited he is for Moss to start the clash, and his confidence in him isn’t shaken.

“I’m excited for him. I really am,” Riley stated. “He’s had a unique journey. He’s a guy that’s really hung in there. He’s continued to put in work, even though he wasn’t the starter. He’s learned our offense as good as any player on our roster. I think (he’s) really earned the respect of the team. I know the coaching staff, the players around him, are all really excited for him to play. There’s no question about it. Excited to see him get his opportunity. Certainly wish we could’ve gotten him a few more this year, but I think he’s taken advantage of kind of this six week build up to this. We pumped a ton of reps into him. I know he’s very confident in what we do, and how we’re going to do it, and now you’ve got to go execute it, against a really good defense. That’ll obviously be a big challenge, and one that I feel like he’s ready for.

“He understands the opportunity that’s here. You can argue he’s been waiting three years for an opportunity like this. So he’s ready to play, and guys are ready to play around him.”

During his three years at USC, Moss has completed 72.9% of his passes for 542 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. This will be his biggest stage by far since arriving in Los Angeles.

However, Moss doesn’t feel like an imposter as the Trojans’ starter. The quarterback added that he’s beginning to feel more like himself than he has in awhile, and that’s a positive development for USC.

“I think if anything I’ve felt more like myself than I’ve ever have,” Moss elaborated. “I don’t think it’s like a concerted effort. I feel comfortable enough in that position. I feel like the locker room responds well to that. 

“Hopefully they do, or else we’ve got bigger problems. But it’s been a fun opportunity. I look forward to continuing to be in that role.”

We’ll see if he’s able to lead the Trojans to victory, and turn some heads in the process. Miller Moss has a gigantic opportunity at his feet, and it’s one he doesn’t want to squander. Lincoln Riley is a believer, at least.