USC vs. Notre Dame — as it happened
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Scoring plays
Win probability
📌 PINNED
Stefano Fendrich & Ethan Inman from Los Angeles, Calif.; photos by Srikar Kolluru & Ethan Thai.
That’s halftime in Los Angeles, and USC is going toe-to-toe with the fifth-best team in the country. The Trojans and Fighting Irish are both putting up over six yards a play, and the respective quarterback play has been good so far. The Trojans’ defense will need to step up to secure the upset victory.
Fresh off of a Victory Bell victory, USC is turning its head toward the Jeweled Shillelagh and another rivalry victory. Notre Dame comes to town as the No. 5 team in the country and is eager to cement a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
We’re reporting live from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Refresh to see new updates.
Some further reading:
- USC has the chance to win three straight games for the first time all season; see how they look heading into this game.
- Missed last game? Read how redshirt sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava and the Trojans got it done against UCLA.
- We checked in to see how USC and UCLA football have been doing since the Big Ten move.
SCORE: USC – 35 Notre Dame – 49
The game at a glance:
- Touchdown Fighting Irish. Q1 2:28, Love. Kick good.
- TOUCHDOWN TROJANS. Q2 12:07, Maiava. Kick good.
- Touchdown Fighting Irish. Q2 0:59, Leonard to Raridon. Kick good.
- TOUCHDOWN TROJANS. Q2 0:24, Maiava to Lane. Kick good.
- Touchdown Fighting Irish. Q3 12:38, Price. Kick good.
- TOUCHDOWN TROJANS. Q3 9:06, Maiava. Kick good.
- Touchdown Fighting Irish. Q3 6:27, Leonard. Kick good.
- Touchdown Fighting Irish. Q3 1:11, Leonard to Evans. Kick good.
- TOUCHDOWN TROJANS. Q2 0:24, Maiava to Lane. Kick good.
- Touchdown Fighting Irish. Q4 3:39, Gray pick-six. Kick good.
- Touchdown Fighting Irish. Q4 1:18, Watts pick-six. Kick good.
- TOUCHDOWN TROJANS. Q4 0:13, Maiava to Lane. Kick good.
4:40 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
After a back-and-forth affair all game, No. 5 Notre Dame pulled away late and stomped any hopes of an upset victory from USC. The Fighting Irish likely clinched their spot in the College Football Playoff with a 49-35 win at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.
The Trojans (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten) had some momentum late down by just seven, with the Coliseum as loud as it had been all season. But redshirt sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava — who was having a great game — threw a heartbreaking pick-six to seal the game in Notre Dame’s favor. On the next drive, Maiava threw another pick-six on a heave on fourth and long. Along with the interceptions, Maiava was 26-46 for 352 yards and 4 total touchdowns on the day.
What really burned the Trojans on the day was Notre Dame (11-1) senior quarterback Riley Leonard. The Fighting Irish signal-caller had a productive day all around, with 3 total touchdowns. Leonard and the rest of Notre Dame could get it done on the ground especially. The Fighting Irish averaged 7 yards a rush and outrushed USC by over 60 yards.
After failing to get the upset victory and win back the Jeweled Shillelagh, the Trojans will end the season with a .500 record and will await a bowl game announcement.
4:16 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS
In garbage time, Maiava and Lane were able to connect one more time for some consolation points. The Game is all but over nontheless.
4:11 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
Pick-6 Fighting Irish
To add insult to injury, the Irish take another interception the length of the field for one final touchdown. The Trojans had a great chance to tie this game just minutes ago, and it is now turning into a blowout.
4:01 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
Pick-6 Fighting Irish
Just seconds after Trojan fans had the Coliseum as loud as it has been all season with pro-USC chants, Maiava throws an interception that Notre Dame returns 99 yards for a score to put the Irish back up by 14. The Trojans will need a miracle to tie this game up now.
3:58 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
Robinson makes a great one-handed catch on third-and-long amidst tight coverage to pick up 22 yards and keep the Trojan drive alive.
3:53 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
USC’s defense steps up. The Trojans get a huge sack on second down and then force an incompletion on third down by Leonard. Maiava will get a chance to tie or take the lead. USC will have the ball at its own 16-yard line.
3:44 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS
Another connection from Maiava to Lane gets USC in the end zone for the fourth time this afternoon and within one score of the Irish. Second passing touchdown of the day for Maiava and a second touchdown catch for Lane. The Trojans aren’t dead yet; they need a stop now.
3:40 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
Maiava on his back foot throws it up for Hudson who gets an acrobatic catch for 19 yards. The Trojans have a first-and-goal.
3:36 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
Freshmen defensive end Kameryn Fountain comes up with a huge sack for the Trojans, forcing the Fighting Irish to go three-and-out and giving the Trojans the ball back with good field position and 12 minutes still remaining in this contest.
3:30 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
After another long bomb downfield that fell incomplete, USC was forced to punt on the fourth and long. Another booming punt sets Notre Dame up at its own 10-yard line, looking to put the game out of reach.
3:25 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
On third and long, Maiava finds redshirt senior wide receiver Kyle Ford for a 29-yard strike to keep the Trojans’ hopes of winning this game alive as the third quarter comes to an end. USC has a 14-point hill to climb as the fourth quarter starts.
3:19 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
Touchdown Fighting Irish
Notre Dame snatches the momentum right back and scores another very quick touchdown. Its 14-point lead is the largest for either team this game, and chants of “Let’s go Irish” are echoing throughout the Coliseum. This time, it’s a 23-yard touchdown pass by Leonard to senior tight end Mitchell Evans.
3:16 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
Maiava leads Lemon just a bit too much on a long pass attempt on fourth-and-3, and the Trojan offense comes up empty, scoring zero points off the turnover.
3:14 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
INTERCEPTION TROJANS
Trojans catch a HUGE break defensively as redshirt senior cornerback John Humphrey sees a pass thrown right at him, and returns it 15 yards to set USC up with great field position for a potential game-tying score.
3:09 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
Maiava can’t match with another score. Riley inexplicably calls an inside run on third-and-10 near midfield. USC doesn’t convert, and the Trojans punt the ball right back to the red-hot Fighting Irish offense.
3:02 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
Great return by Lemon, who takes it from near the end zone out 36 yards. Trojan drive will start near their own 40.
2:59 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
Touchdown Fighting Irish
It’s another quarterback run for the Irish, who barreled into the end zone against a rather uninspired-looking Trojan defense. This game looks like it could become a shootout if Maiava and the Trojan offense can hold up their end of the bargain. Notre dame back up by a touchdown.
2:58 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
The Trojan defense is looking tired. The Irish have seen little resistance on this drive. With a 15-yard penalty well after the play to boot, it’s not looking good with the Irish deep in Trojan territory
2:50 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS
Another methodical USC drive ends with yet another quarterback sneak touchdown for Maiava. This time, Maiava jumped over his linemen and stretched the ball across to tie the game back up.
2:46 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
Officials threw a very late flag but ultimately called pass interference on the Irish and kept this Trojan drive alive. Maiava is slinging it right now and airing it out. The Trojans are in the red zone.
2:45 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
Maiava hits sophomore wide receiver Duce Robinson with a 30-yard strike to get the Trojan offense rolling early in their first drive of the second half. Riley clearly wants to keep a good thing going and ride Maiava’s success through the air throughout this contest so far.
2:39 p.m.
Ethan Inman, Staff Writer
The USC defense can’t hold Notre Dame on a key third down, and a few plays later, redshirt sophomore running back Jadarian Price scampers 36 yards into the end zone to retake the lead. The Irish strike quick to open the half, seeking to return momentum to their sideline.
2:14 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
That’s halftime in Los Angeles, and USC is going toe-to-toe with the fifth-best team in the country. The Trojans and Fighting Irish are both putting up over six yards a play, and the respective quarterback play has been good so far. The Trojans’ defense will need to step up to secure the upset victory.
2:11 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS
What a drive by the Trojans right before halftime. After Lemon’s amazing downfield grab and a defensive pass interference to put USC in the red zone, Maiava calmly hits sophomore wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane in stride from 12 yards out. It took USC just 38 seconds to go 78 yards and tie the game up. Riley’s playcalling has shown a lot of trust in Maiava so far.
2:08 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
What an adjustment by sophomore wide receiver Makai Lemon. Maiava underthrew Lemon a little bit but was able to turn his body and make the 35-yard catch downfield. USC is in Notre Dame territory right before halftime.
2:03 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
Fighting Irish Touchdown
One play after Love’s impressive play, Leonard drops back and coolly finds his tight end junior Eli Raridon in the back corner of the end zone. Notre Dame is up by seven with just under a minute before halftime.
2:01 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
Highlight reel play for Notre Dame. Love does his best Saquan Barkley impression, hurdles a USC defender and then trucks another for a 20-yard gain. The Fighting Irish are set up first and goal at USC’s 12-yard line.
1:56 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
Notre Dame goes for it and once again gets it after a review. This time, Leonard takes the quarterback keeper up the middle for a yard. The Fighting Irish will look to score once more before halftime.
1:52 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
Another three plays, another fourth and short for Notre Dame. It’s the two minute warning, and when the game comes back, we’ll see if the Fighting Irish elect to go for it once again.
1:47 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
USC couldn’t capitalize on the missed field goal, going three and out. Senior punter Eddie Czaplicki absolutely boots his first punt over 70 yards, but due to a penalty, he had to reckick. The second punt goes only 51 yards, and Notre Dame will set up at its own 35-yard line.
1:42 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
This time, Notre Dame doesn’t go for it fourth down after two previous successful attempts on this drive, but they miss the 26-yard field goal. Thanks to the Fighting Irish blunder, the game is still tied.
1:37 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
The Trojans allow another fourth down completion after stifling Notre Dame for three plays. This time, Leonard finds an open man for 8 yards by the sideline.
1:33 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
USC forced Leonard’s first incompletion of the day after stuffing the Fighting Irish on first and second down. The Fighting Irish came out to punt but completely fooled the Trojans when their punter completed a pass downfield for 18 yards for the easy first down to keep the drive alive.
1:27 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS
After the fumble recovery, USC made the most of the opportunity. After some good plays to get them deep in the red zone by redshirt sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava, the Trojans showed some muscle themselves and pushed Maiava in on the quarterback sneak. USC knots it up at seven.
1:21 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
TROJANS FUMBLE RECOVERY
The Trojans got exactly what they needed. After a quick completion by Leonard, redshirt senior cornerback Jacobe Covington punched the ball out, and USC recovered the fumble. The Trojans now have the ball deep in Notre Dame Territory.
1:16 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
It’s the end of the first quarter here in Los Angeles. USC is down early and is getting out-muscled on both sides of the ball so far. Notre Dame has the ball at its own 23 up seven when the teams return to start the second quarter.
1:12 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
It was a rough start to the drive, with Marks going off the field with an injury. After a good 12-yard rush by redshirt sophomore Quinten Joyner, the Trojans gained 3 yards on the next three plays. The Fighting Irish will get the ball on their own 15 for their next drive.
1:00 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
Touchdown Fighting Irish
Notre Dame is bullying USC down the field and are up 7-0. The Fighting Irish have had multiple long runs where it took a third or even fourth defender to bring the ball carrier down. Sophomore Jeremiyah Love got the touchdown and averaged 9 yards a rush that drive.
12:56 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
The Fighting Irish are in the red zone. After a bunch of strong rushes and senior quarterback Riley Leonard using his legs, Notre Dame is getting everything they want right now moving down the field with ease.
12:50 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
Head Coach Lincoln Riley is leaving it all on the line early. Riley elected for a rush on third and long — gaining 7 yards — to set up a fourth down screen to Branch. The Trojans were a yard short and will give the ball to Notre Dame after a promising first drive against a stout Fighting Irish defense.
12:47 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
USC is moving down the field early. After a strong 14-yard rush by redshirt senior running back Woddy Marks, the Trojans schemed sophomore wide receiver Zachariah Branch wide open across the field for a 26-yard gain. USC is already in Notre Dame territory.
12:40 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
Led by Heisman-winner and former USC quarterback Caleb Williams out of the tunnel, the Trojans are on the field ready for the start of the game.
USC won the toss and will start with the ball on offense.
12:24 p.m.
Stefano Fendrich, Managing Editor
USC and Notre Dame are less than 15 minutes away from another epic rivalry clash. The Trojans aim to play the role of spoiler as the Fighting Irish hope to dance their way into the College Football Playoffs.
11:30 a.m.
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