[3] He was a three-sport standout (basketball, football, baseball) at Valley View High School in Germantown, Ohio.
[7] He almost redshirted the 1987 season but ended up seeing playing time after Wade Kosakowski suffered an injury.
[4] The 1989 Cardinals were MAC champions and finished 7–3–2, including a loss to the Fresno State Bulldogs in the 1989 California Bowl.
[13][14] In late June 1993, Riley was promoted to the active roster to backup Brent Pease after former starter Blair Kiel was released.
[14] On July 10, he made his AFL debut at quarterback late in the third quarter of a 49–29 game against the Miami Hooters after Pease threw four interceptions.
[18][17] Overall, Riley played in five games for the Rockers in 1993, completing 18 of 32 passes (56.2%) for 279 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
[6] Overall, he played in seven games for the Mustangs that year, completing 65 of 121 passes (53.7%) for 676 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions.