After leading USC to its first 6-0 start since 2006, Trojans coach Lincoln Riley talked about how this team has learned to win in different ways.
Playing without starting linebacker Shane Lee and losing star safety Calen Bullock to an early personal foul ejection, the USC defense carried the team when it had to on the way to a 30-14 win over Washington State on Saturday in the Coliseum.
Riley talked about the growth of the defense through this season, the significance of the win and more.
Watch the full postgame press conference here, as Riley was joined by defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu and running back Travis Dye.
Scroll down for a complete transcript of Riley's comments.
RELATED: Game Breakdown: USC wins 30-14 over Washington State
Opening comments ...
"Really tough, hard-fought win. We kind of had to win this one again in a different way. We talked to the guys all week about circumstances don't make or break you, whether they're positive or negative. They just reveal you -- they reveal your training, they reveal really what's inside of a team, what's inside of a person. It was fitting because the way this one played out, obviously some key guys for us not able to play and then losing Bullock there on the tough play on targeting, a lot of guys had to step up in different ways. We had some guys banged up across the board and just kind of continually found a way. We did a good job containing the quarterback. That was obviously a real key. He's a really good player. He got out a few times, made a few plays, but we obviously got to him a lot too and made a lot of big plays, certainly defensively. I thought our special teams really stepped up tonight. We really challenged our guys. We were good on kickoff, we were good on field goal and extra point and obviously good job by Denis getting that last one in. Punt team was awesome on the night, we had a couple kickoff returns we got good yardage -- we're really close to breaking them. So excited about the way we played on special teams, and then really excited about the way we finished. We finished the game, we chewed up a ton of clock there on the last drive and then obviously able to stop them as well. That's a good football team. I mean, that's one of the 25 best teams in the country that we just played, there's no doubt about it. Coach Dickert and his staff there have obviously done a tremendous job. So to find a way to win there, again despite some of the adversity that came our way, was a big-time thing. Thrilled with the win and onto the next one."
What's it mean that this is the first 6-0 start for USC since 2006?
"It means something, it does. When you're in the middle of it, you try not to get too caught up in all the historical things, but obviously all of us coming here -- I mean yo, you got three kind of different examples sitting up here, two guys that came into this program and have been here, one guy that chose to be here from the very beginning and elected to stay here -- I think we all came here for a reason. We're all aware of the history, both positive and some of the tough parts of it. To be able to find a way to win these games, especially in a lot of different ways has been a lot of fun. But we know obviously more challenges are upcoming. We're going to appreciate it but also keep our sights forward."
How satisfying has this been for your through the first six games?
"I just really love coaching this team. I mean, I come to work, we work hard, we try to do the things we can to prepare these guys. The amount of time that I spent of culture, individual issues, stuff like that, like during the season has been minimal. Sometimes as the head coach you're just sitting there waiting for somebody to knock on your door and most of the times those knocks aren't always positive. This team, we've got to keep doing it, but we continue to get better, we continue to lean on each other and I think if you ask most of the people, it's been fun, it's been tough, it's been a grind to start to build this, but ask these guys, I think we're all having a hell of a lot of fun right now and enjoy playing the game. We only get so many this year. I wish we had more."
