No. 5 Notre Dame Punches USC, Secures CFP Spot

In college football's premier intersectional rivalry series, the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1) whipped the USC Trojans (6-6, 4-6 Big Ten Conference). The final score was 49-35, with the 14-point Irish victory attributable to two pick-sixes in the fourth quarter. With the win, independent ND secured its spot in the College Football Playoff.

Game Summary

On the game's opening drive, USC went 58 yards in 10 plays but turned the ball over to the Irish on downs after failing to convert on a fourth-and 2 in Notre Dame territory. The Irish responded by marching 72 yards downfield and scoring on a 1-yard TD run by sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love.

After stopping the Trojans on their ensuing drive, Notre Dame turned the ball over in its own territory on a fumble by wide receiver Jayden Thomas. USC capitalized, driving 37 yards and scoring on a 1-yard run by quarterback Jayden Maiava, who was aided by teammates pushing him into the end zone. At the conclusion of the play, Notre Dame defensive lineman Rylie Mills punched USC offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon. However, the referees did not call the flagrant foul, which the CBS commentators said should have resulted in Mills' disqualification.

Approximately one minute before halftime, the Irish took a 14-7 lead on a 12-yard TD pass from QB Riley Leonard to 6-foot-7 tight end Eli Raridon. However, the Trojans responded with a 32-second, 78-yard drive capped by a 13-yard TD pass from Maiava to sophomore wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane. The teams went into the locker room at halftime tied 14-14.

USC suffered a significant setback in the first half when its leading rusher, Woody Marks, suffered a concussion and was ruled out for the rest of the game. Later in the game, ND's Love was also sidelined due to injury.

The Irish scored on the opening drive of the second half, taking the lead 21-14 on a 36-yard TD run by RB Jadarian Price. Then, once again, the Trojans answered, driving 77 yards and scoring on another 1-yard run by Maiava, drawing the score even at 21-21. Undeterred, Notre Dame put together a 6-play 60-yard scoring drive, taking a 28-21 lead on a short TD run by Leonard. The drive featured only one pass play.

After the Trojans punted on their next drive, Riley threw an interception, and the Trojans took over in ND territory.

According to the CBS announcers, the Trojans' drive was halted when the referees failed to call an "obvious" pass interference penalty on the Irish, and the Trojans then turned the ball over on downs. Galvanized, the Irish raced back down the field, scoring another TD, extending their lead to 35-21.

Notre Dame Pick-Sixes

USC effort to come back for an upset victory over the Irish got off to a promising start, as the Trojans narrowed the lead to 35-28 on Maiava's second TD connection with Lane. However, two fourth-quarter pick-sixes by Maiava sealed Southern Cal's fate. Both interception returns were lengthy—a 99-yard return and a 100-plus yard return.

The squandered opportunities by the Trojans epitomized their season, a disappointing inaugural campaign in the B1G, plagued by poor play-calling from the coaching staff, questionable officiating and losses to less-talented opponents.

Next Up

According to Sports Illustrated, the Trojans are likely to play in either the Las Vegas Bowl or the Sun Bowl. If they play in the Las Vegas Bowl, they will meet an opponent from the Southeastern Conference on Dec. 27 in Allegiant Stadium. If USC accepts an invitation to the Sun Bowl, the team will face off against an adversary from the Atlantic Coast Conference on Dec. 31 in El Paso, Texas.

As an independent, Notre Dame has no championship game. The next action for the Irish will take place in the first round of the CFP.