WATCH: Lincoln Riley's USC Trojans show off fiery new Mamba cleats ahead of UCLA showdown
The USC Trojans under coach Lincoln Riley recovered from the loss to the Washington Huskies by beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers 28-20 in Week 12. The Trojans improved to 5-5 and are one win away from bowl eligibility.
Ahead of their crucial Week 13 clash against the UCLA Bruins, the Trojans showed off their black Mamba cleats on X. The all-black cleats have shades of USC yellow and red with the famous Mamba signature near the back.
The USC Trojans are one of the Mamba programs that partner with the Mamba Foundation to feature the brand. The other schools include the Kentucky Wildcats, LSU Tigers, UConn Huskies, Duke Blue Devils and Oregon Ducks.
Lincoln Riley aiming to finish USC season in strong fashion
The USC Trojans have had to endure bad news in the past week after quarterback talent Julian Lewis who has been ranked as the No. 31 overall prospect in the country by ESPN announced his decommitment from the program after taking trips to Colorado and Auburn.
The Trojans shrugged off the blow with the stellar performance of new QB1, Jayden Maiava who registered 325 yards resulting in three touchdowns and one interception against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
During his postgame news conference, Riley detailed the new direction taken by the Trojans towards the end of the season after changing quarterbacks from Miller Moss to Maiava.
"Incredibly resilient the entire day. I thought out effort, attitude, physicality really showed up," Riley said. "We responded well and to come back and win it was awesome. So proud of the guys. We've talked to them a lot about this three-game stretch here at the end and what an opportunity it is for us. And we got it started off on the right foot."
Lincoln Riley highlighted the importance of strong finish to the season for the Trojans starting with the game against the UCLA Bruins.
"I think to be the program that we want to be, we're going to have to have to be great at the end of the season," Riley said. "We'll have to play some of our best play at the end. And that's what good teams, that's what good programs do. They no matter the ebbs and flows, ups and downs and seasons, they get better and they stay together.
"And there's a pride about them of wanting to be their best at the end. So we took a great step this week and looking forward to the challenge."
Lincoln Riley will face stiff tests to become bowl eligible including a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to salvage a season that started with a lot of promise but has turned out to fighting for bowl eligibility as a bare minimum.