Christian Gray returned an interception 99 yards for a landing with 3:39 to play, Xavier Watts returned one other interception 100 yards for a rating with 1:18 left and No. 5 Notre Dame drilled his ticket to the College Football Playoff together with his tenth landing. back-to-back, 49-35 win over Southern California on Saturday.
Riley Leonard threw two landing passes and rushed for an additional rating for the Fighting Irish (11-1), who accomplished a formidable common season by holding off the persistent Trojans (6-6) for his or her sixth victory within the final seven editions of this well-known intersectional rivalry.
Notre Dame led 35-21 early within the fourth quarter, however Ja’Kobi Lane made the second of his three landing receptions for the Trojans with 8:43 left.
After USC stopped the Irish offense, Jayden Maiava moved the Trojans to the Notre Dame 21 for a tying shot, however Gray remained standing after an acrobatic interception of a goal-line cross supposed for Kyron Hudson , and the sophomore returned all of it the way in which down the USC sideline.
Maiava led yet another desperation effort earlier than throwing an easy pick in the end zone to Watts, who took the identical route for the decisive landing.
Notre Dame retained the Jeweled Shillelagh within the colleges’ ninety fifth assembly in a sequence that started in 1926 on the Coliseum.
Jadarian Price rushed for 111 yards and a landing for the Irish, and Jeremiyah Love added 99 yards and a rating. Eli Raridon and Mitchell Evans caught landing passes from Duke switch Leonard, who continued his strong end to the season with 155 passing yards.
Maiava rushed for 2 touchdowns and handed for 360 yards in his first loss as a starter for USC (6-6), which misplaced 5 of eight to cap a second straight disappointing common season below coach Lincoln Riley.
Makai Lemon had 82 of his 133 yards receiving within the fourth quarter, however the Trojans did not maintain the lead into the ultimate interval for the primary time all season. Lane caught his third landing cross with 13 seconds left.
Woody Marks, USC’s 1,100-yard rusher, was harm on a 9-yard run to start out the Trojans’ second drive. He didn’t return to the sport regardless of being on the sidelines, and the damage ended the Mississippi State switch’s FBS-best streak of 56 consecutive video games with a reception.
The first half was remarkably even in entrance of a giant Colosseum crowd on a 75-degree (23.8 levels Celsius) recreation day. Love stymied Kamari Ramsey to arrange Raridon’s 12-yard TD catch 59 seconds earlier than halftime, however the Trojans went 78 yards in 31 seconds to tie on Lane’s 12-yard TD reception.
Price had a 36-yard landing run on the opening drive of the second half, however USC responded with Maiava’s second 1-yard landing plunge. The Notre Dame offense responded with one other lightning-fast drive towards USC’s improved protection, and Leonard’s brief landing put the Irish up for good.
John Humphrey intercepted Leonard’s severely underplayed cross on Notre Dame’s subsequent drive, however after the Irish protection stopped USC on downs, Evans caught a 23-yard TD cross.
Takeaway
Notre Dame: The Irish might solely beat groups on their very own schedule, and that is what they’ve completed each week since they had been embarrassed by Northern Illinois. But it is also laborious to say how they’re going to reply to an enormous improve within the stage of competitors within the CFP after struggling a bit to carry off a .500 USC crew.
USC: The Trojans’ lack of playmakers grew to become evident with Marks sidelined. Receivers repeatedly missed alternatives to assist Maiava, whereas Riley was left with the working recreation in Marks’ absence. USC’s protection additionally struggled after a largely strong season.
Caleb’s go to
Caleb Williams, the one USC quarterback to beat Notre Dame since 2016, watched from the Trojans’ sideline. The Chicago Bears rookie’s No. 13 was formally retired in a ceremony in the course of the recreation.
Next
Notre Dame: Will seemingly host a CFP first-round recreation, because the Irish fail to get a top-four bye.
USC: A low-stakes bowl recreation for the second 12 months in a row, which isn’t what followers had in thoughts with the costly Riley.
Associated Press reporting.
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