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4d ago

Clay Helton Returns to the Coliseum as Georgia Southern Visits USC

Lincoln Riley asks USC fans to show appreciation for Helton on his first game back leading underdog Georgia Southern.

Georgia Southern head coach Clay Helton walks the sidelines during the first half of a game against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 30, 2023, in Statesboro, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
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Overview

  • Helton, fired by USC in 2021 after parts of eight seasons in charge, brings Georgia Southern to Los Angeles on Saturday for his first game at the Coliseum since his dismissal.
  • During his USC tenure, Helton went 46-24 with a 2017 Rose Bowl win and the program’s only conference title since 2008.
  • USC opened 2025 with a 73-13 rout of Missouri State, while Georgia Southern fell 42-14 at Fresno State as quarterback JC French IV threw two first‑half touchdowns.
  • Riley said he hopes fans receive Helton with gratitude, noting positive conversations between the coaches and praising Helton’s regard for the university.
  • Helton said his team will tour the Coliseum on Friday and voiced thanks to the ‘Trojan Family,’ while only a handful of current USC players, including TE Lake McRee, were on campus during his tenure.