"Riley told his team, they had to "burn the boats.""
""We've put ourselves in great position, and we've got to be a really forward-focused team right now," Riley said. "Things can get pretty fun from here if you really get on a run. This team is capable of that. They know it. We know it.""
"sophomore linebacker Jadyn Walker said he felt the group "didn't come out ready to play" and wasn't "hungry" enough against Notre Dame."
""You study for a test, you're not gonna be nervous," Abasiri said. "Just keep studying, I guess.""
USC enters a critical stretch after a second bye with its season at a crossroads. Lincoln Riley has urged the team to "burn the boats" and remain forward-focused during a run of three winnable games. The College Football Playoff hopes hinge on winning at Nebraska and improving a defense that surrendered over 300 rushing yards to Notre Dame. Players admitted the defense "didn't come out ready to play" and emphasized getting their minds right. USC used the bye to return to defensive basics and study fundamentals. The team faces a five-game gauntlet beginning on the road in a hostile Big Ten environment, testing both players and Riley.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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