The Notre Dame defense comes out late to defeat USC 49-35

In rivalry games they say you have to throw out the plates. With Notre Dame and USC, it was difficult to look at the game that way considering how the season has unfolded for both teams. As the game progressed, it became easier to see the truth in the old saying.

And then a couple of big late plays lead to a 49-28 win in Los Angeles.

Notre Dame got off to a good start. The Irish defense stopped the Trojans’ first attack with a fourth down stop, putting the ball in the hands of Riley Leonard. In return, Leonard put it in the hands of Jeremiyah Love four times, and the last time was a 1-yard touchdown run to complete a 75-yard drive.

The good vibes continued as the Irish forced a USC punt to get the ball back. However, things changed very quickly. Leonard connected with Jayden Thomas, but a USC defender sent the ball into the air and the Trojans recovered the fumble. With a short field, USC quickly got it into the end zone to tie the game.

On Notre Dame’s next drive, they took advantage of a fake punt pass from Tyler Buchner and two 4th-down conversions, only for Mitch Jeter to miss a field goal. The Irish defense forced a 3-out against SC and then scored on a 65-yard drive – a touchdown pass from Riley Leonard to Eli Raridon.

USC got the ball back with 55 seconds left in the half, but needed just 31 of them to travel 78 yards for a touchdown and end the game.

Notre Dame got the ball early in the second half, and on the sixth play of the drive, Jadarian Price rushed 36 yards for a touchdown to bring the lead back to 21-14. USC – annoying as hell – responded with another strong drive and a Jayden Maiava touchdown to tie the score again.

Notre Dame’s offense went back to work, gaining another 75 yards for another touchdown. This time it was a one-yard touchdown run by Riley Leonard that increased the lead to 28:21. After the Irish forced a USC punt on their next possession, Riley Leonard threw an interception to give USC good field position.

This time the Irish defense took care of things as they forced the Trojans to turn the ball over on downs on the first four plays. With a little blood in the water, Jadarian Price made a big run and then Leonard found Mitchell Evans for a 26-yard touchdown pass that made it 35-21 before the fourth quarter.

After the teams exchanged a few punts, USC got the ball back and Maiava kept finding open receivers to get through inside the Irish 5-yard line. Despite a false start on the 1 and a strange quarterback change, USC makes it 35-28 with a Maiava touchdown pass to Jai’Kobi Lane – to Christian Gray, who was having a rough day.

Notre Dame stalled on the next drive and a good punt brought Southern Cal back to 16th. USC took advantage of the momentum and drove straight toward Notre Dame.

And then it happened.

Christian Gray, who was having a really bad day, picked off Maiava at the one-yard line and returned the ball 99 yards, making it 42-28 with less than 4 minutes to play.

After two touchdowns, USC went back to work, driving the ball through the air back down the field. On 4th down from the 17 yard line, Xavier Watts intercepts the ball in the end zone and goes 100 yards to make the score 49-28.

Notre Dame played buttery defense in the final minute, and USC quickly got into the end zone for a touchdown and a 49-35 game (not a great sight, but hey).

The Irish leave the Coliseum with a win, the Jeweled Shillelagh, and secure a home playoff game.

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