FOOTBALL — 2025-26
USC at Notre Dame — as it happened
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Scoring plays
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(Bryce Dechert / Daily Trojan file photo)
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Sean Campbell from South Bend, Ind.
Jeremiyah Love dominates Trojans to lead Notre Dame to 34-24 victory
While there were many storylines heading into Saturday’s football game between No. 20 USC and No. 13 Notre Dame, including the fate of the historic rivalry, Trojan redshirt freshman running back King Miller’s rise and the lightning storms that threatened to delay the game, only one ended up mattering: the dominance of Notre Dame junior running back Jeremiyah Love.
From Notre Dame’s second play of the game, when he broke for a 63-yard run up the middle, Love looked dominant through and through as he led the Fighting Irish (5-2) to a 34-24 win over USC (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) at Notre Dame Stadium. The star running back finished with 228 yards on 24 attempts and a touchdown, more than triple the yardage of the Trojans’ entire run attack.
We’re reporting live from Notre Dame Stadium. Refresh to see new updates.
Some further reading:
- Coming off a dominant win against then-No. 15 Michigan, football is hoping to earn a second signature victory over their historic rivals and put them in good shape for a College Football Playoff debut.
- Redshirt freshman walk-on running back King Miller, the starter against No. 13 Notre Dame, has earned major buzz after stepping up against Michigan.
- The future of No. 20 USC and Notre Dame’s nearly 100-year rivalry is up in the air, though the Trojans reportedly offered the Irish a multi-year extension in August.
12:17 a.m. (9:17 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Jeremiyah Love dominates Trojans to lead Notre Dame to 34-24 victory
While there were many storylines heading into Saturday’s football game between No. 20 USC and No. 13 Notre Dame, including the fate of the historic rivalry, Trojan redshirt freshman running back King Miller’s rise and the lightning storms that threatened to delay the game, only one ended up mattering: the dominance of Notre Dame junior running back Jeremiyah Love.
From Notre Dame’s second play of the game, when he broke for a 63-yard run up the middle, Love looked dominant through and through as he led the Fighting Irish (5-2) to a 34-24 win over USC (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) at Notre Dame Stadium. The star running back finished with 228 yards on 24 attempts and a touchdown, more than triple the yardage of the Trojans’ entire run attack.
11:11 p.m. (8:11 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
On a last-ditch, third-down effort, Maiava chucked the ball near the end zone, getting picked off by junior safety Luke Talich to officially seal the game. Notre Dame took a knee and ran onto the field with the 34-24 win.
10:58 p.m. (7:58 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After burning about four minutes of clock, Notre Dame turned the ball over on downs on an errant fourth-and-15 attempt deep in its own territory. USC will take over at its own 28-yard line down by two scores with 2:35 to play.
10:49 p.m. (7:49 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
In a massive fourth-and-1 try, a play action try for Maiava failed to get McRee open as he all but threw it away for the turnover, USC’s second failed fourth-down conversion in as many attempts. The Trojans will need nothing short of a miracle to come back at this point, as they are down 34-24 with just under six minutes to play.
10:42 p.m. (7:42 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Touchdown Fighting Irish.
After Love did most of the work, Carr finished the roughly four-minute drive with a rushing touchdown of his own on second down to put Notre Dame up by two scores about halfway through the fourth quarter. USC will need to score quickly and get a stop to get back into this game.
10:41 p.m. (7:41 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Thanks to Love, who had back-to-back runs of at least 15 yards, the Irish are again within USC’s 10-yard line at the 5. Love is up to an unreal 228 yards on 24 attempts.
10:37 p.m. (7:37 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
On a trick play attempt, Lemon ran to the right side of the field, preparing to throw a forward pass before getting stripped by Shuler; the fumble was recovered by Viliamu-Asa for USC’s second-straight turnover, destroying any sense of momentum the Trojans had.
USC has now turned the ball over three times and trails 27-24 as Notre Dame will take over on the 50-yard line.
10:31 p.m. (7:31 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After Maiava’s interception threatened to end USC’s bid to upset the Irish, Notre Dame senior kicker Noah Burnette failed to widen the lead by missing a field goal attempt at USC’s 31-yard line to keep the score at 27-24 with just under 13 minutes to play. A pressure by redshirt senior linebacker Eric Gentry forced a third-down incompletion from Carr that set up the missed field goal, after Love only went for six yards on two carries to start the drive.
10:25 p.m. (7:25 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Costly Maiava interception throws a wrench in USC third-quarter comeback plans
Love has continued to dominate the Trojans, but mistakes by other Irish offensive players, including Carr, gave USC the opening it needed to take the lead 24-21 with about 4:30 left in the third quarter.
However, a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown by Price and a costly interception from Maiava as the quarter wound down have Notre Dame up 24-21 and in the position to put the Trojans in a hole they may not be able to get out of. The interception, intended for Lane, who has caught five passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, is Maiava’s third in as many games after he started the season extraordinarily cleanly.
Love has 178 yards on 17 attempts, an average of 10.5 yards. His total is more than double USC’s entire run production.
Maiava’s inconsistent 58.1% completion percentage has only slightly outclassed Carr’s 15-of-23 day due to having more big plays. Both quarterbacks have thrown costly interceptions.
10:18 p.m. (7:18 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After looking nothing but poised and decisive all game, Maiava threw a pass intended for Lane that Gray read perfectly, jumping in front of the receiver for an interception at USC’s 44-yard line and squashing the Trojan comeback momentum that had been brewing for most of the third quarter.
10:13 p.m. (7:13 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Touchdown Fighting Irish.
One play after the Trojans regained momentum, Notre Dame stole it right back with a 100-yard touchdown on a kickoff return, after Price shed two tackles inside the Notre Dame 20-yard line before cutting across the field and taking it all the way to the house. Notre Dame now leads 27-24.
10:10 p.m. (7:10 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Stepping back in the pocket, Maiava launched a pass that was on the money to Lane, who was streaking towards the left side of the field and took it to the house for a 59-yard touchdown, giving USC its first lead in over a quarter of play. Maiava and Lane then connected on the two-point try to put USC up by a field goal, 24-21, with 4:30 left in the third quarter.
Maiava has completed 16-of-28 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, while Lane leads the way for USC receivers after the long gain with five catches for 95 yards.
10:08 p.m. (7:08 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Notre Dame was saddled by yet another pass interference call — its third in just the last two drives — on a second-down toss intended for Hines, giving USC a first down at its own 35-yard line.
10:04 p.m. (7:04 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
On a very rare Notre Dame possession where Love didn’t touch the ball, the Trojans forced a three-and-out that included two incomplete passes from Carr, including a third-down toss that was nowhere close to a completion.
While Love is dominating USC with 171 yards on 15 attempts, Carr has only completed 14-of-22 passes for 117 yards and has not made a significant impact outside of his second-quarter interception.
The Trojans will take over on their own 29-yard line with about 5:30 left in the third quarter as they hope to build on back-to-back full drives ending in field goals with a touchdown to regain the lead.
9:57 p.m. (6:57 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
FIELD GOAL TROJANS.
After two defensive pass interference calls on Notre Dame brought USC into Irish territory, the Trojans stalled at the 26-yard line after a rush of no yards and an incomplete pass in the end zone, bringing out Sayeri for his third field goal of the game. USC has not reached the end zone since its opening drive despite having multiple close calls, and is now within a score of Notre Dame at 21-16.
USC did not earn a first down of its own on the drive and will need to step it up on both ends of the ball to mount a comeback at Notre Dame Stadium.
9:51 p.m. (6:51 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
The Trojans will start with the ball on their own 35-yard line with about eight minutes left in the third quarter after Notre Dame freshman kicker Eric Schmidt kicked the kickoff out of bounds for a penalty. While it may not feel do-or-die just yet for USC, with the rate Notre Dame’s Love has been rushing at, the Trojans may not be able to afford another scoreless drive.
9:45 p.m. (6:45 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Touchdown Fighting Irish.
The Trojans simply have no answer for Love, who continues to break for runs of double-digit yards, including a 10-yard rush that brought the Irish within the 10-yard line and set up a second-down passing touchdown for Carr to senior wide receiver Will Pauling.
Notre Dame now leads 21-13 as the Trojans will need to respond with a score and find some way to stop the dominant Love.
9:42 p.m. (6:42 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After three straight plays of positive yardage weren’t enough, a dive up the middle from Love earned two yards and a critical first down on fourth-and-1. A three-yard rush from Love on the next play brought Notre Dame into the red zone with just under 10 minutes to play in the third quarter.
Love has rushed for 161 yards on 14 attempts, an average of 11.5 yards.
9:38 p.m. (6:38 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Two plays into the third quarter, Notre Dame has already moved into USC territory after a 16-yard run from Love and a 12-yard completion for Carr. Carr has completed 11-of-16 passes for 98 yards thus far.
9:18 p.m. (6:18 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
USC remains close after first half despite dominant Notre Dame rush
Although Notre Dame’s backfield, led by Love, has dominated the Trojan defense at every turn, USC is only down by one point, 14-13, after the first half of play at Notre Dame Stadium.
Love has rushed for 134 yards on 10 carries, an average of more than 13, while fellow junior running back Price has contributed 57 yards of his own on four carries. A costly interception in the red zone by Carr ended what was shaping up to be a drive to put the Irish up by two scores midway through the second quarter.
The Trojans have had their own share of near-game-changing moments, including a failed fourth-down try in the red zone and a dropped pass in the end zone by Lane on a drive that ended in a field goal. While Maiava’s efficiency is down compared to recent contests at 14-of-23 passes completed, he has spread the ball around, hitting six different receivers for gains of at least 10 yards to keep USC in the game.
9:16 p.m. (6:16 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
A sack for Notre Dame sophomore linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa ended the half as the Trojan offense hardly got going after having just 41 seconds to make a miracle happen. Notre Dame ends the second quarter up 14-13 and will receive the kick to start the second half.
9:11 p.m. (6:11 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After a 15-yard personal foul on Notre Dame senior wide receiver Malachi Fields, the Irish were unable to get a second first down of the drive and make magic happen late in the half to extend their lead. While a near-massive gain to Fields was called out of bounds the play before the foul, the Trojan defense held strong to likely hold the game at 14-13 going into halftime.
9:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
FIELD GOAL TROJANS.
After Notre Dame sophomore safety Adon Shuler appeared to pick up a Lane bobble in the end zone for an interception, officials called the pass incomplete, allowing for Sayeri to make his second field goal of the game to close the gap to 14-13. Although the Trojans wanted more and nearly had it on the pass to Lane, the incompletion ruling saved what would have been a disaster of an end to USC’s nine-play drive to close the second quarter.
Notre Dame will take over with 1:43 left in the half, hoping to squeeze out a field goal and improve their lead.
8:52 p.m. (5:52 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
In a contested pass to Lane — the receiver’s bread and butter — junior cornerback Christian Gray held one of his hands back, earning a pass interference call that brought the Trojans to Notre Dame’s 8-yard line. They will hope to regain a lead they held for most of the first quarter after the two-minute warning.
8:49 p.m. (5:49 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
A second-down screen pass to Jackson turned into a massive 17-yard gain to bring USC into Notre Dame territory as the second quarter winds down. On the next play, Maiava threw a bullet to Lane for a 13-yard first down as the Trojans quickly made their way into a scoring position.
Maiava has completed 14-of-22 passes for 177 yards and the opening-drive touchdown to McRee.
8:46 p.m. (5:46 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
With the ball out of Love’s hands, an under-pressure Carr made a costly mistake, throwing a pass into contested coverage that was picked off by junior defensive end Braylan Shelby. USC will take over on its own 22-yard line, hoping to ride high on the defensive momentum to regain the lead.
Both teams turned the ball over in the red zone on their first full drives of the second quarter as Notre Dame still leads 14-10 with about five minutes to play.
8:42 p.m. (5:42 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
The Trojans continue to struggle to find an answer for Love, who broke for a 17-yard run to put the Irish at the three-yard line before Notre Dame junior offensive lineman Billy Schrauth went down with an injury and was assisted off the field by trainers.
USC will hope to make a goal-line stand to keep the game manageable with second down looming after the injury break.
8:39 p.m. (5:39 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Love broke for another big run up the middle, this time for 27 yards, to bring the Irish to USC’s 33-yard line just three plays into their first full drive of the quarter. Love is averaging 16.6 yards per carry on seven attempts, a total of 116, about halfway through the second quarter.
8:34 p.m. (5:34 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After three straight completions weren’t enough for a first down, the Trojans went for it on fourth down just inside the red zone but turned the ball over after a pass to McRee on a contested flat route was incomplete. The Irish will take over at their own 19-yard line with a chance to extend their lead over the Trojans.
8:32 p.m. (5:32 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
One play after Maiava was sacked and lost a fumble — though it was recovered by USC junior right guard Alani Noa — he completed a 27-yard pass to junior wide receiver Makai Lemon on third down to put the Trojans in enemy territory. After an 11-yard rush from Miller, the longest Trojan run of the game so far, USC is facing first-and-10 at Notre Dame’s 26-yard line.
Maiava has hit five different targets for catches of at least 10 yards so far, though his efficiency has dropped since an impressive first two drives. He has now completed 10-of-17 passes.
8:25 p.m. (5:25 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Touchdown Fighting Irish.
After cutting all the way to the left side of the field, Price completed his 16-yard rushing touchdown with a dive into the end zone on the first play of the second quarter. Notre Dame now leads 14-10.
8:23 p.m. (5:23 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
USC leads 10-7 after first quarter as it tries to stall potent Irish run game
After both teams scored touchdowns on their first drives in the first five minutes of play, scoring stalled late in the first quarter as the teams punted twice each to close the opening period. After adding a field goal on their second drive, the Trojans held a 10-7 lead for most of the first quarter.
Notre Dame’s potent run game involving both Price and Love has dominated the Trojan defensive line, going for a combined 133 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter.
USC’s running backs have struggled to get anything going as Maiava has slowed down after a dominant first drive and promising second effort. Maiava has completed 7-of-13 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, while Carr has been a non-factor, passing for only 32 yards in the opening quarter.
8:22 p.m. (5:22 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
On the first play of the drive after back-to-back punts, Notre Dame junior running back Jadarian Price broke up the middle for a 32-yard gain and then went for another eight yards on the very next play. The Irish now face second-and-2 at USC’s 23-yard line as they hope to put points on the board for the first time since their opening drive.
While USC’s run game has struggled, the Notre Dame backfield has made efficient work thus far, with Price and Love combining for 116 yards on six attempts. Carr has continued to be a non-factor, only having 32 passing yards to his name.
8:19 p.m. (5:19 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
USC punted the ball right back after two short rushes and an incompletion from Maiava stalled another drive early. Maiava has completed 7-of-13 passes for 112 yards.
The Trojan rush has struggled mightily to combat the Irish defensive line, combining for just 21 yards on nine carries, including yardage losses on both of USC’s three-and-outs.
8:15 p.m. (5:15 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Thanks to a sack from sophomore defensive end Kameryn Crawford that pushed Notre Dame back nine yards, the Irish punted the ball right back to the Trojans — the third-straight punt and second-straight three-and-out of the game.
USC will take over on its own 15-yard line in a game that has slowed significantly after both teams scored touchdowns in the first five minutes of play.
8:13 p.m. (5:13 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
On third-and-5, Maiava attempted to complete a pass roughly 20 yards down the field to Hines but was off target, forcing USC’s first three-and-out and punt of the game about a minute after Notre Dame had a punt of their own. A strong 59-yard punt from redshirt senior punter Sam Johnson put the Fighting Irish deep in their own territory to start the drive.
8:10 p.m. (5:10 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
The Trojans forced the first punt of the game after limiting Love, who has touched the ball on a majority of Irish plays, on first and second down. Redshirt junior defensive tackle Devan Thompkins tackled Love for a loss on first down before redshirt senior cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson hit the running back hard on second down, sparking a brief verbal altercation. Carr, who has completed just 2-of-5 passes for 15 yards, made a bad pass on third down to force the punt.
Love has gone for 78 yards on four rushes and also caught a pass for six yards. Only one other positive gain for Notre Dame didn’t involve their star running back.
USC will take over with the ball on its own seven-yard line.
8:01 p.m. (5:01 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
FIELD GOAL TROJANS.
Redshirt freshman kicker Ryon Sayeri hit a 42-yard field goal attempt after back-to-back Maiava pass attempts were incomplete to bring up fourth down. While USC leads 10-7, they will have to return the ball to Love and company, who appeared unstoppable on their first drive en route to a touchdown.
Maiava has completed 7-of-11 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, while USC’s run game has been a non-factor, with Jackson and Miller combining for 13 yards on five attempts.
7:58 p.m. (4:58 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After getting pressured by three different defenders and rolling back multiple times, Maiava tossed up what appeared to be a mistake of a pass that was hauled in by a wide-open Hines for a 21-yard gain to put the Trojans on Notre Dame’s 29-yard line. Hines has already caught three passes for 57 yards.
7:56 p.m. (4:56 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
On a play action pass, Maiava fooled the Irish defenders by faking a pass to Hines before hitting sophomore tight end Walker Lyons for a 25-yard first down to start off USC’s second drive. All five of Maiava’s completed passes have gone for double-digit yardage as he hopes to overwrite Notre Dame running back Love’s damage.
7:52 p.m. (4:52 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Touchdown Fighting Irish.
After breaking through a hole up the middle, Notre Dame junior running back Jeremiyah Love nearly took it all the way on a 63-yard run to USC’s own 12-yard line to wrestle some of the momentum back from the Trojans. Two plays later, Love cut right and took another run up the middle for a nearly uncontested 12-yard rushing touchdown. The game is now tied, 7-7.
Freshman quarterback CJ Carr did not complete a pass on the roughly one-minute touchdown drive.
7:46 p.m. (4:46 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Redshirt senior tight end Lake McRee went up for a pass near the right corner of the end zone and pulled down a spectacular two-handed touchdown grab right over Notre Dame sophomore safety Adon Shuler’s shoulders. USC now leads 7-0, less than four minutes into the game.
Maiava completed 4-of-5 passes on the drive for 62 yards and the touchdown.
7:42 p.m. (4:42 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
On third-and-9, Maiava connected with Hines for a 24-yard gain, bringing USC into the red zone on their opening drive. Miller has proved ineffective against the Irish thus far, only gaining five yards on four carries.
7:40 p.m. (4:40 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava has helped USC jump out to a quick start, already completing passes of at least 12 yards to junior wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane and freshman wide receiver Tanook Hines. The Trojans are now facing third-and-9 at Notre Dame’s 41-yard line.
7:38 p.m. (4:38 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Welcomed by copious fireworks and a dramatic version of Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” the Irish entered the field just seconds before a loud boo engulfed the Trojans’ walk out. While spots of Cardinal and Gold are visible across the stadium, alongside the Trojan Marching Band’s playing, the home crowd well overwhelms USC’s presence at Notre Dame Stadium.
USC won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball, hoping to jump out early amid 5-10 mile per hour winds and rain looming in the game’s future. The Trojans will start with the ball at their own 25-yard line.
Notre Dame currently leads the all-time series 52-37-5.
7:08 p.m. (4:08 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Paige is dressed and appears ready to go, while O’Connor is in sweatpants and unlikely to enter the game.
6:53 p.m. (3:53 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Redshirt freshman walk-on running back King Miller will likely start after both junior running back Waymond Jordan and redshirt senior running back Eli Sanders were officially ruled out on the Big Ten’s pregame availability report. Freshman defensive tackle Floyd Boucard, who had been getting significant play time early in his collegiate career, was also ruled out.
Redshirt sophomore left tackle Elijah Paige and redshirt junior center Kilian O’Connor are listed as questionable after both missing last week’s game against Michigan. Paige also sat out of the loss to Illinois two weeks prior.
Head Coach Lincoln Riley said after practice on Tuesday that both linemen would need to earn their spots back in practice, despite being initial starters. Even without O’Connor and Paige, the line gave up no sacks against a potent Michigan defensive line a week ago.
Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Jamaal Jarrett, who made a name for himself with a 70-yard pick-six in week three against Purdue, is also listed as questionable on the availability report.
After playing in last week’s game despite being listed as out, sophomore running back Bryan Jackson is completely off the report and will likely get snaps in the wake of Jordan and Sanders’ injuries. Due to playing Jackson, the Trojans incurred a $5,000 fine from the Big Ten.
6:45 p.m. (3:45 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
The game will start on time after Notre Dame put an “all clear” in place, according to a 6:43 p.m. announcement in the press box. Fans have begun entering the stands, and the teams will begin warming up at 6:45 p.m.
6:39 p.m. (3:39 p.m. Pacific)
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
With about an hour until scheduled kickoff, no fans are permitted to enter the stands at Notre Dame Stadium amid a downpour and multiple lightning strikes in the area. There has been no official word on whether game time will be pushed back.
Notre Dame opened stadium gates at 6 p.m. but told fans to shelter in the concourse rather than sit in the stands in a post on X.
6:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. Pacific)
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