USC hasn’t won a national title in the College Football Playoff era. It hasn’t even made the CFP. Since the start of the 2019 season, the Trojans are 1-10 in true road games against AP-ranked opponents.
A trip to Autzen Stadium dashed their CFP hopes this time around.
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Before a 42-27 loss to now-No. 6 Oregon this past weekend, Ducks head coach Dan Lanning took a shot at a USC program that has only one double-digit win season in the past eight years.
«They’re living off their history,» Lanning said in a pregame speech Oregon revealed Monday night.
«Matt Leinart, he ain’t walking through there. Reggie Bush ain’t going to show up. But I tell you who is, [Oregon quarterback] Dante Moore’s going to show up. [Linebacker] Bryce Boettcher’s going to show up. … We got the warriors necessary to go walk out there and deliver.
«Understand something: Why are you wearing black? You’re going to a Trojan funeral.»
Dan Lanning is a SAVAGE:
“They’re living off their history. Matt Leinart, he ain’t walking through there. Reggie Bush, he ain’t gonna show up.”
“Understand something. Why are you wearing black? You’re going to a Trojan funeral.” pic.twitter.com/OI438g2cJH
— Oregon Updates (@oregon__updates) November 25, 2025
Moore threw for 257 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and a 9-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter from running back Noah Whittington gave the Ducks a two-score cushion they maintained the rest of the way.
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Whittington putting the bow on the victory was fitting given it was Senior Day.
That’s something Lanning emphasized pregame.
«Seniors, this game we’re all putting it on the line for you,» he said. «This is a DNA game: connection, toughness, growth, sacrifice — it shows up right here.
«And in this fight, as they get a little tired, we say, ‘One more round.’ After we hit a big play, we say, ‘One more round.’ After they start to bleed, we say, ‘One more round.'»
Lanning quickly emerged as one of the best coaches in college football during the 2023 season, his second leading Oregon.
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A 12-2 campaign that included a Pac-12 title game appearance and a Fiesta Bowl win over Liberty took off in September with a 42-6 win over a Colorado team that was ranked No. 19 at the time.
In his first year as head coach, Deion Sanders had the transfer-heavy Buffaloes off to a 3-0 start. Lanning’s Ducks blew them out and extinguished whatever fire they had caught.
But before Oregon put up 522 yards of offense and held the ball for more than 35 minutes, Lanning delivered his first pregame speech to rapidly circulate social media.
Lanning famously told his players that Colorado was a team «fighting for clicks» while the Ducks are «fighting for wins.»
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“The Cinderella story is over, men. They’re fighting for clicks, we’re fighting for wins. There’s a difference,» he said. «This game ain’t going to be played in Hollywood. It’s going to be played on the grass.»
Since, Lanning has been widely known for his fiery demeanor and his football acumen.
