USC beats Penn State

Sports · Heat 1.0 / 10 · 2 shows · 7m airtime

USC beat Penn State on the road in the whiteout on October 12, 2026, moving to 6-1. Desmond Stevens returned from suspension and led the Trojans in tackles in that game. The discussion has moved from the result itself to what his return means for the defense, alongside the remaining games against Ohio State and Indiana and a UCLA game that could decide the Big Ten and a playoff berth.

How 2 podcasts covered it

1. The Dan Patrick Show, 2026-10-12 (7:34 to 12:12)
   Notes Penn State's 3-3 record in the win
   Runs through the weekend's best and worst in college football, with a short stop on USC's road win at Penn State framed as a good result before a tough stretch. It adds Penn State's 3-3 record but stays inside the result-level read.
2. The Herd with Colin Cowherd, 2026-10-12 (12:59 to 15:03)
   Argues USC saved Riley's job
   Griffin, fresh off a podcast with Jaden Maiava, says USC silenced Penn State's whiteout and that the locker room has Lincoln Riley's back, so he should not be fired. Frames the UCLA game as a possible Big Ten and playoff decider.
   New angle: Desmond Stevens returned from suspension and led USC in tackles against Penn State.