LOS ANGELES, CA — “That was a culture win right there, man. If there ever was one, that was a culture win. Our team's resilience, their response at halftime...we just kept coming, we have all year."
Those were the words uttered by Head Coach Lincoln Riley after the USC Trojans brewed up a comeback victory against the Iowa Hawkeyes on a rainy day last Saturday. Down 21-10 at halftime, the Trojans' offense would score the next 19 points unanswered en route to the 26-21 win, and the defensive line would showcase yet another spotless second half, shutting out the Hawkeyes.
With the bar set of a culture win on full display, just how vital do the Trojans need to produce another performance like they did last Saturday to next Saturday against the Oregon Ducks in Eugene?
It is obviously vital, but the Trojans have won games on every facet throughout 2025 and have built that mandatory trust within the football program.
"We've got to really trust each other at the end of the day," freshman DL Jahkeem Stewart said after Wednesday's practice on the importance of building trust with his teammates and coaching staff.
Stewart also emphasized the importance of accountability, noting that everyone must be on the same page regarding all facets of the football team.
"Holding each other accountable, nobody is bigger than the program, and nobody is bigger than this football team," Stewart said.
USC DL Jahkeem Stewart says that holding his teammates and coaches accountable and trust in one another has been a benefactor to their success.
— Adrian Medina (@AdrianMedina_16) November 20, 2025
“Nobody bigger than this program and nobody is bigger than this football team.” pic.twitter.com/qr0PavXkNI
Coaches are also realizing the importance of the culture shift happening for Southern California, especially Defensive Coordinator D'Anton Lynn, who recognizes the recent success of his defensive line going hand in hand with the built-in culture.
"You see it when the things that matter to the staff matter to the players," Lynn said to the media after Wednesday's practice. "It's not just us enforcing the things; when it's the players enforcing those things, you can tell it's really starting to work."
But along with needing another culture win, a win in general against the Ducks on the road could be the final nail in the coffin for the Trojans to secure a College Football Playoff spot. As of now, the CFP Selection Committee ranking has the Trojans ranked 15th, and the Ducks hold the number 7 spot.
The road is simple, but can be daunting: Win out against Oregon in Eugene and UCLA to close out your season, and you get that CFP bid.