ended
USC suffers upset at Notre Dame — as it happened
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Scoring plays
Win probability
Louis Chen / Daily Trojan
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Notre Dame wallops USC wire-to-wire
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Stefano Fendrich & Thomas Johnson from Notre Dame, Ind.; Jonathan Park from Los Angeles
FINAL: USC 20, Notre Dame 48.
This is USC’s first loss of the season after six consecutive wins, each more painfully earned than the last.
7:53 p.m. (10:53 p.m. Eastern)
The clock runs out, and USC suffers its first loss of the season.
After being battered in the first half — with the Trojans’ deficit being their largest of the season at one point — USC’s greatest enemy, by the end, was time. Final: USC 20, Notre Dame 48.
Edited 9:57 p.m. to actually include the score … we regret the error.
7:43 p.m. (10:43 p.m. Eastern)
Touchdown Fighting Irish.
To pour a little extra salt on the wound, Notre Dame forces a fumble from junior wide receiver Mario Williams and returns it for a touchdown. 48-20 Notre Dame.
7:39 p.m. (10:39 p.m. Eastern)
With its back up against the wall, USC went for it on 4th & 9 in Notre Dame territory and, much like the rest of the game, Williams had too much pressure on him. Notre Dame’s pass rush gets him sacked, and the ball is turned over to the Fighting Irish.
7:22 p.m. (10:22 p.m. Eastern)
Touchdown Fighting Irish.
Right as USC gets a little bit of momentum, Notre Dame answers right back. After the ensuing kickoff, the Fighting Irish returned it 99 yards to the endzone to push their lead back up to 18.
7:18 p.m. (10:18 p.m. Eastern)
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Williams gives a little sprinkle of his magic evading the pressure this time, stepping up in the pocket, and launching a dart to Brenden Rice. Rice, who dropped a touchdown on the previous play, battled with a defender hugging him and stretched the ball over the goal line.
7:13 p.m. (10:13 p.m. Eastern)
The Trojans get a stop and force Notre Dame to punt and Zachariah Branch gives USC some life. Branch returns it 60 yards to set the Trojans up in the red zone.
7:07 p.m. (10:07 p.m. Eastern)
The third quarter comes to a close with the Trojans in similar standing as before halftime.
USC is still down multiple scores and will need a large comeback in the fourth to luck out with a win.
Notre Dame starts the fourth at its own 7-yard line up 31-13.
7:05 p.m. (10:05 p.m. Eastern)
After sacks on back-to-back plays on the drive, USC is forced to punt once again and try to slow down the Fighting Irish offense.
6:54 p.m. (9:54 p.m. Eastern)
Touchdown Fighting Irish.
The Trojan defense finally breaks. Notre Dame comes right back after USC’s touchdown for a 46-yard passing touchdown to push the game to 31-13.
6:46 p.m. (9:46 p.m. Eastern)
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
USC finally breaks through on a shovel-option from Williams to MarShawn Lloyd that went down as a rushing touchdown for 31 yards. The Trojans didn’t go for two and are down 24-13.
6:37 p.m. (9:37 p.m. Eastern)
The defense yet again stands strong and gets their second straight three-and-out. USC’s offense is getting the opportunities it needs to get back into the game.
6:33 p.m. (9:33 p.m. Eastern)
The Notre Dame defense pushes the Trojans backwards and forces a USC punt on fourth-and-14. The Fighting Irish will have the ball for their second drive of the half as they try to extend their 21-point lead.
6:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. Eastern)
The Trojan defense comes out strong and forces a three-and-out, allowing just three yards. USC will begin its drive at its own 30-yard line.
6:26 p.m. (9:26 p.m. Eastern)
Denis Lynch kicks off to the start the second half and Notre Dame returns it just past its own 25-yard line. Sam Hartman and the Fighting Irish offense are back on the field.
6:04 p.m. (9:04 p.m. Eastern)
FIELD GOAL TROJANS and end of the first half.
USC is trying to put some life back into its team. Denis Lynch knocks through a 48-yard field goal to end the first half. Notre Dame leads 24-6.
5:55 p.m. (8:55 p.m. Eastern)
Touchdown Fighting Irish.
Audric Estimé gets into the endzone for the second time today. Notre Dame leads 24-3 as this is the largest USC deficit of the season. All three Irish touchdown drives tonight have come off of interceptions.
5:50 p.m. (8:50 p.m. Eastern)
Williams is flushed out of the pocket and throws his third interception of the game, this time to Benjamin Morrison. The Fighting Irish will take over right at midfield, already up 17-3 with 3:35 left in the first half.
The reigning Heisman winner came into the game with one interception this season and has quadrupled that number in the first half.
5:43 p.m. (8:43 p.m. Eastern)
Touchdown Fighting Irish.
On the very next play, Audric Estimé runs it in to extend the Fighting Irish lead to 17-3. USC will have 4:14 to work with before the half when it gets the ball back.
5:42 p.m. (8:42 p.m. Eastern)
Williams gets pressured and throws another pick to Xavier Watts, who returns it to the USC 2-yard line. Notre Dame is in prime position to extend its lead with 4:17 left in the half.
5:37 p.m. (8:37 p.m. Eastern)
USC’s defense forces a quick three and out, after Notre Dame has had its way most of the game. A holding penalty on the kickoff will have the Trojans starting their drive at their own 6-yard line.
5:31 p.m. (8:31 p.m. Eastern)
The Trojans go for it on fourth for the second time this drive, but two Notre Dame defenders get into the backfield to stuff Austin Jones. The Fighting Irish will get the ball back, up 10-3 with 6:05 left in the first half.
5:28 p.m. (8:28 p.m. Eastern)
USC’s drive stalled right around midfield, and were prepared to punt. But after a running into the kicker penalty on Notre Dame, Williams kept it himself on fourth and one to give the Trojans a new set of downs.
5:16 p.m. (8:16 p.m. Eastern)
Field goal Fighting Irish.
After a couple of big plays from the Fighting Irish, the USC defense stiffens up and Notre Dame settles for a 36-yard field goal. Notre Dame extends its lead to 10-3.
5:11 p.m. (8:11 p.m. Eastern)
The first quarter has come to an end, with Notre Dame holding the momentum and out on top 7-3.
The Fighting Irish have the ball at their own 35-yard line when the game resumes.
5:04 p.m. (8:04 p.m. Eastern)
FIELD GOAL TROJANS.
The Notre Dame defense bends, but does not break so USC has to settle for a field goal. Denis Lynch knocks the 25-yard field goal through the uprights. USC still trails 7-3.
5:02 p.m. (8:02 p.m. Eastern)
After a penalty, the Trojans are in the red zone and will have the ball at the Notre Dame 14-yard line. USC is starting to find its offensive rhythm.
4:53 p.m. (7:53 p.m. Eastern)
The USC defense holds strong and forces a Notre Dame punt. Despite giving up an 11-yard run on the first play of the drive, the Trojans stop them there.
4:47 p.m. (7:47 p.m. Eastern)
The USC drive stalls and Eddie Czaplicki is on to punt.
4:40 p.m. (7:40 p.m. Eastern)
Touchdown Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame strikes quickly after the interception, and Gi’Bran Payne gets in the endzone after a 4-yard passing touchdown from Sam Hartman. USC down 7-0 early.
4:37 p.m. (7:37 p.m. Eastern)
A Notre Dame pass rush forces an errant throw from Caleb Williams, and Xavier Watts intercepts the ball for the Fighting Irish on just the fourth play of the game.
4:32 p.m. (7:32 p.m. Eastern)
Notre Dame has won the coin toss and elected to defer. USC will start the game on offense after the opening kickoff. The battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh is on.
