Notre Dame-USC Running Diary
Pre-game
It’s a beautiful day in Southern California, 74 degrees, no wind, clear skies, and the field is looking immaculate. And to add to the ambiance, Notre Dame is going with their white on white uniforms in this one, adding a wrinkle to the storied Notre Dame- USC rivalry.
Based on how is he moving and the order in which he is taking his reps early on, I would not expect Howard Cross to be a factor in this football game. Doesn’t look ready.
Freshman CJ Carr is finally throwing in pre-game, not with a lot of zest though. It’s at least something and a progression from the past few weeks.
Mitch Jeter finished his warmup with a 55 yard field goal attempt, which he made, barely. Still, the leg strength appears to be returning, which is a good sign.
As an aside, Ryan Day. That’s tight. Verrrrrrrry tight.
1st quarter
USC retiring president Carol Folt had trouble flipping the coin, took her four tries. Finally got it done and USC wins and wants the ball. Let’s go.
9:41, Notre Dame 0-USC 0- USC moves 58 yards on their first drive with some key passes, some missed tackles, and a missed offensive PI call on a crossing route to Zachariah Branch. But, Christian Gray brought his tackling with him to Los Angeles and stopped Branch on 4th and 2 swing pass to give the Irish the ball. Huge to get USC off the field without points on their opening possession.
2:28, Notre Dame 7- USC 0- Jeremiyah Love ran like a man possessed and Riley Leonard was 5-5 passing and the Irish methodically move down the field for an opening possession touchdown. They were 2-2 on third down on the drive, both short yardage, and the offensive line absolutely dominated the Trojans up front. Notre Dame needed to start fast and a stop-score is just what you want in this situation.
0:19, Notre Dame 7- USC 0- It’s one first down and out for USC on their second possession. Couple of nice plays in coverage by Leonard Moore and Christian Gray get Notre Dame off the field. The Irish have a chance to take control of this game on their second offensive possession. Also a key moment as star USC running back Woody Marks had to leave the game with an injury. Not a lot of juice in the stadium at the moment.
2nd quarter
12:07, Notre Dame 7- USC 7- Notre Dame was rolling after a first down pass to Jayden Thomas, but he fumbles and USC recovers. The Irish lost their chance to take control, and USC takes advantage with a drive into the end zone. On the score, Maiava was stuffed, the refs talked for a few seconds, then decided it was a touchdown. Overturning a play like that is basically impossible so it stands. Notre Dame has the chance to respond here.
11:30, Notre Dame 7- USC 7- It’s three and out for Notre Dame after two failed run plays and a poor 3rd and long attempt. Unless……..Marty Biagi pulls out another trick and it’s Tyler Buchner to Mitchell Evans on the fake punt to extend the drive. BIagi is in the midst of an all time heater.
5:13, Notre Dame 7-USC 7- Notre Dame converts on another 4th down to move the ball down to the USC 10 where the drive stalls and Mitch Jeter missed a 27 yard field goal. They simply cannot count on him to make a kick from anywhere at this point, that one was dead in the middle of the field.
3:26, Notre Dame 7, USC 7- Notre Dame defense responds nicely with a sack from Gabe Rubio and a breakup from Leonard Moore to force a USC punt. Leonard Moore has been great so far in this game with a couple of pass breakups.
3:36, Notre Dame 7, USC 7- A fan out of the stands just made a field goal where Mitch Jeter missed from. If you’re wondering how it’s going for Notre Dame on that front.
0:59, Notre Dame 14, USC 7- Jeremiyah Love has the Coliseum buzzing with a great catch and run that included another leap over a defender for a gain of 20. Riley Leonard pays off his effort on the next play with a 12 yard touchdown pass to Eli Raridon. I’ve been to a lot of games in the Coliseum, don’t ever recall an opponent causing the crowd to ooh and ah the way Love has today.
0:24, Notre Dame 14, USC 14- A 35 yard pass play to Makai Lemon and a 15 yard pass interference penalty against Christian Gray allowed USC to move the ball right down the field for a touchdown to tie the game at 14. Those are the first points scored against Notre Dame in the middle 8 all season.
Halftime
Notre Dame 14-USC 14
In reality, this is no big surprise, no one has blown out USC all season. The game turned a bit on the Jayden Thomas fumble and then the Mitch Jeter missed field goal, the touchdown drive allowed right before halftime is really unfortunate given it was against the pass defense, which has been stellar all year. But, if you want to be a playoff team, you gotta win these types of games. So they’ve got a half to show they are worthy of that distinction.
3rd quarter
12:38, Notre Dame 21, USC 14- Notre Dame responds out of the timeout with a terrific drive of 6 plays, 75 yards capped off by a 36 yard touchdown run from Jadarian Price where he went largely untouched. Notre Dame has now run for 160 yards and is averaging seven yards per carry.
9:06 Notre Dame 21, USC 21- USC moves 77 yards on 8 plays throwing the ball almost exclusively at Christian Gray, who gave up a 30 yard reception to Duce Robinson and then drew a pass interference on third and long that extended the drive. USC hasn’t generated much offense at all beyond throwing at Gray, but it’s gotten them three touchdowns so far.
6:27 Notre Dame 28, USC 21- Notre Dame is right back down the field largely due to Riley Leonard, who runs it in from 2 yards out after a 24 yard scramble into the red zone. The Irish haven’t had to lean on Leonard to win a game so far this season, but they may have to in this one. Can Notre Dame get a stop? Can Christian Gray rebound?
3:39, Notre Dame 28, USC 21- Al Golden baits USC into checking to a run on 3rd and 10 and they hold the Trojans to a three yard gain and are forced to punt. Can Notre Dame extend to a two score lead here? Big moment in the game.
2:28, Notre Dame 28, USC 21- After a big run on first down to Jadarian Price, Riley Leonard throws the ball directly to USC and the Trojans are in business at the Notre Dame 36. It was an inexplicable throw.
2:17, Notre Dame 28, USC 21- Xavier Watts, reigning defensive player of the year, makes a huge play on 4th and three and Notre Dame retains the ball and is on the move.
1:11, Notre Dame 35, USC 21- three plays and 62 yards later, Notre Dame is in the end zone and they have their two score lead. The big play on the drive was a Jadarian Price 35 yard run with Jeremiyah Love injured and likely out. It was capped by a beautiful corner route to Mitchell Evans, who made a leaping grab and into the end zone.
4th quarter
11:52, Notre Dame 35, USC 21- Christian Gray makes a great play on third and long to force a USC punt, but Notre Dame matches to go three and out get USC the ball back at the ND 45. A safe offensive series for Mike Denbrock who didn’t challenge the sticks on third and 5.
8:43, Notre Dame 35, USC 28- Christian Gray can’t come up with another big play on third down as he allows USC to body him inside and it’s a 6 yard touchdown for USC and they are back in this game. Huge possession for the Notre Dame offense where any points likely gets it done for them, eating some clock wouldn’t be the worst thing either.
5:58, Notre Dame 35, USC 28- Notre Dame manages a first down by penalty, but most of that yardage is negated by Mike Brown getting called for an unsportsmanlike penalty after the play. Leonard then took a sack on 2nd and 5 and the Irish were forced to punt. The defense now needs one stop to win the game.
3:39, Notre Dame 42, USC 28- Christian Gray makes the play of his life. With USC driving and poised to tie the game, Gray intercepts Maiava and returns it 99 yards for a touchdown and two touchdown lead with 3:39 left in the game. An incredible turn of events for Gray, this game, and Notre Dame’s season.
1:13, Notre Dame 49, USC 28- Xavier Watts, reigning defensive player of the year, seals the victory and a Notre Dame playoff berth with a 100+ yard pick 6 on 4th down, with several stares down the USC sideline as he strides into the end zone. He has destroyed USC the last two seasons and he sticks in the dagger today. In what has been a very rough day for the Notre Dame pass defense, two of the biggest plays of the game are made by defensive backs. The Irish sideline is losing its mind.
Final
Notre Dame 49- USC 35
A late garbage time touchdown gives USC their 5th touchdown of the day, but it is way too little, way too late, and Notre Dame is going to get out of LA with a huge victory and the playoff squarely in their sights. They were tested and they responded, the way championship teams do, and it wasn’t because of mistakes USC made. USC came to play well and played a good football game. They did not lay down by any means. But, Notre Dame showed why they are the #5 ranked team, and why they have been the better team throughout the season. As it is, the show rolls on, and Notre Dame awaits the results of next weekend’s conference championship games to find out who their playoff opponents will be. South Bend, get ready.