Lincoln Riley was the only member of USC’s football team to meet the media Saturday night following a 34-32 home loss to Utah.

It marked the first time this season that the Trojans did not make players available to reporters after a game, and several longtime writers shared that it is the first time in more than a decade that players haven’t spoken following a game.

USC trailed 28-14 late in the third quarter. It roared back in the fourth and eventually took a 32-31 lead on the visiting Utes thanks to huge plays on defense and special teams. But the Utes drove for a 38-yard game-winning field goal as time expired in regulation and handed USC its second consecutive loss.

After a 48-20 blowout in South Bend a week ago, USC has seen its College Football Playoff hopes come to an end. With Oregon and Washington left on the schedule, picking up a conference loss puts the prospects of a return trip to the Pac-12 title in peril.

Riley was being heavily criticized for the loss when the game went final. He didn’t really need to give anyone more ammunition. But after briefly suspending access for a reporter earlier this year (and then rescinding that suspension shortly after), Riley’s media policies have been a topic of controversy already this year.

Here’s some of the reaction to his decision to not make players available:

https://twitter.com/ZSoskin/status/1715947261115412932

https://twitter.com/MatthewColler/status/1715946216272355330