<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4VCM43_0vP17rb600" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4VCM43_0vP17rb600" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans defensive end Braylan Shelby (34) celebrates after Utah State Aggies quarterback Bryson Barnes (16) (not pictured) is sacked during the third quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images </figcaption></figure><figure><a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-coach-lincoln-riley-smitten-linebacker-room-healthy-competition-mason-cobb-big-ten?utm_source=RSS" rel="nofollow"></a><figcaption>USC Trojans </figcaption></figure><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> After the Trojans defenisve staff was finalized, one position coach in particular stood out among others. USC linebackers coach Matt Entz, the former head coach at North Dakota State, was brought in to revitalize a position group that needed a transformation. After two games it's clear that the coaching staff has made a difference. USC head coach Lincoln Riley praised the positional room after the <a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-beat-utah-state-instant-analysis-lincoln-riley-identity-48-0-big-ten-football" rel="nofollow"> team's 48-0 win over Utah State </a> on Saturday night. “I think number one, we got a really good thing going on in our linebacker room… <a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/official-injury-report-health-usc-trojans-utah-state-lincoln-riley-mason-cobb" rel="nofollow"> Mason </a> , Raesjon, Des, all those guys. So those guys are improving fast. There's a lot of really good, healthy competition in that room,” Riley said. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4W8D4F_0vP17rb600" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4W8D4F_0vP17rb600" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Utah State Aggies during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images </figcaption></figure><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Eric Gentry and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold led the way for the Trojans with seven tackles apiece. Gentry in particular had a <a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-live-score-updates-utah-state-miller-moss-touchdown-watch-zachariah-branch-light-delay-shutout-48-0" rel="nofollow"> phenomenal night </a> , adding 1.5 TFLs and a sack. He took advantage of Mason Cobb's absence against the Aggies. Cobb was questionable throughout the whole week leading up to the game. Riley was supportive of Gentry, who came to <a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-football-mentioned-college-gameday-week-two-lincoln-riley-nick-saban" rel="nofollow"> USC </a> to be a part of Riley’s inaugural Trojan defense. “He's done a good job, you know," said Riley. "He's been really engaged, high energy, as he always is, and I think he's taken to our new defensive staff and scheme and certainly his new teammates very well.” <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=15GWTx_0vP17rb600" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=15GWTx_0vP17rb600" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans linebacker Eric Gentry (18) enters the field before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images </figcaption></figure><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Mascarenas-Arnold, a transfer from Oregon State, has been a major part of the defensive transformation. He has quickly taken on a role of leadership within the defense. After the game, he talked about the honor of being named captain for the second week in a row. "I think that's just a big honor to be," said Mascarenas-Arnold. "I think it's a good responsibility to be noticed like that from my coach or from my peers." The depth of linebackers <a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-passing-leader-matt-barkley-returns-home-opener-lincoln-riley-utah-state" rel="nofollow"> USC </a> was on full display as senior linebacker Raesjon Davis and freshman Desman Stephens II got playing time in the blowout win over Utah State. Both players contributed nicely with each two tackles each. Moving forward, the linebackers room should be in good hands thanks to an elite turnaround by the <a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojan-football-three-instant-takeaways-48-0-win-over-utah-state-lincoln-riley-miller-moss" rel="nofollow"> USC defensive coaching staff. </a><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><figure><a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-coach-lincoln-riley-smitten-linebacker-room-healthy-competition-mason-cobb-big-ten?utm_source=RSS" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1so1E5_0vP17rb600" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1so1E5_0vP17rb600" width="1920" height="1080" ></a><figcaption>Big Ten Football Burning Questions, USC Trojans </figcaption></figure><a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-building-momentum-playoff-contender-focused-on-present-moment-miller-moss-lincoln-riley" rel="nofollow"> MORE: USC Trojans Building Momentum As a Playoff Contender: Focused on 'Present Moment' </a><a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojan-football-three-instant-takeaways-48-0-win-over-utah-state-lincoln-riley-miller-moss" rel="nofollow"> MORE: USC Trojan Football: Three Instant Takeaways From 48-0 Win Over Utah State </a><a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-dominate-utah-state-in-first-shutdown-win-since-2011-big-ten-lincoln-riley" rel="nofollow"> MORE: No. 13 USC Trojans Dominate Utah State in First Shutdown Win Since 2011 </a><a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-live-score-updates-utah-state-miller-moss-touchdown-watch-zachariah-branch-light-delay-shutout-48-0" rel="nofollow"> MORE: USC Trojans Beat Utah State 48-0 After Lighting Delay at Coliseum </a><a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-beat-utah-state-instant-analysis-lincoln-riley-identity-48-0-big-ten-football-aggressive-defense" rel="nofollow"> MORE: USC Trojans vs. Utah State: Instant Analysis, Lincoln Riley's Aggressive Trojans </a><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-coach-lincoln-riley-reacts-miller-moss-tmz-investigation-conduct-dispute-quarterback" rel="nofollow"> MORE: USC Trojans Coach Lincoln Riley Reacts To Miller Moss TMZ Investigation </a> This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/usc as <a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-coach-lincoln-riley-smitten-linebacker-room-healthy-competition-mason-cobb-big-ten?utm_source=RSS" rel="nofollow"> USC Trojans Coach Lincoln Riley Smitten By Linebacker Dominance: 'Healthy Competition' </a> . </div></body>

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USC Trojans Coach Lincoln Riley Smitten By Linebacker Dominance: 'Healthy Competition'

USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley spoke to reporters after the No. 13 Trojans 48-0 win over Utah State about the improvement he has seen from the linebackers room.

USC Trojans Coach Lincoln Riley Smitten By Linebacker Dominance: 'Healthy Competition'

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