Lincoln Riley provides backstory on controversial officiating, heated exchange with referees
USC head coach Lincoln Riley typically keeps his cool, but definitely lost it following a controversial ending to the first half of the Trojan’s latest matchup versus Arizona. Quarterback Caleb Williams completed a pass to Brenden Rice that converted a first down and put the Trojans on the Wildcat’s 10-yard line with 5 seconds remaining, but the game clock was started prior to the ref signaling to start it, not allowing the Trojans to run another play.
Riley definitely gave the officiating crew an earful after the miscue, going out of his way to express his frustration with the referees, and he was asked after the game what explanation was given to him by the officials following the heated exchange.
“Well at the end of the half it was a little scrambled and I honestly probably didn’t give them enough time for an explanation. And then after we talked, I mean they admitted that they messed it up, still my question was if you messed it up why wasn’t it stop play and review it?” Riley asked.
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This is not the first time that Pac-12 conference officials have been under the microscope for officiating mishaps, as they went on to admit to the mistake on their end regarding the management of the clock to end the first half.
“The explanation given to me at the beginning of the third quarter was that they obviously didn’t handle it properly, which I mean anybody knows that watching it,” Riley said.
Thanfully for the Trojans, the mistake did not end up hurting them in the long run, as they defeated Arizona 45-37 behind five touchdown passes by Williams.
WATCH: Lincoln Riley tracks down officials, gets heated after controversial end to first half
Lincoln Riley was hot after a USC drive into Arizona territory was cut short by an apparent homefield clock mishap. A USC pass got the Trojans within the Wildcats 10 and a first down stopped the clock with six seconds remaining.
Then the ref stood over the ball while the clock ticked down to zeroes before USC could snap the ball. The ref hadn’t signaled for the clock to start after the chains were set, but ruled the half over.
The Riley came in hot for the officials, with the Trojans holding a slim 17-13 lead in Tucson at the break. While his team went to the locker room, Riley got within spitting distance of the refs.
For a good 30 seconds, Riley gives the refs a piece of his mind — and frankly, he’s got a fair case to make.
And clearly his athletic director has his back, based on the retweets at halftime, though it’s too late to help USC now.