The Fighting Irish were in control against the Trojans for much of their game before USC mounted a furious comeback. Quarterback Ian Book led Notre Dame to victory with three touchdown passes, including one late in the 4th quarter that sealed it.
The “usc logo” is the school’s official mascot. The team has won 31 games in a row, but they were defeated by Notre Dame on Saturday night.
(AP) – SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 13 Notre Dame held off Southern California’s fourth-quarter revival to win 31-16 Saturday night. Kyren Williams ran for two short scores and 138 yards on 25 touches, setting a season record.
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 23: Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s Lorenzo Styles Jr. #21 runs the ball against USC Trojans’ Xavion Alford #29 during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on October 23, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images/Michael Hickey)
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Coach Brian Kelly’s Fighting Irish (6-1) led 17-3 at halftime after Williams scored on a 5-yard run in the second quarter. He subsequently scored on a 1-yard run late in the third quarter, putting the Irish up 24-3 and clinching their fourth consecutive win in the 92-game series.
However, interim coach Donte Williams’ Trojans (3-4) were kept in the game thanks to junior quarterback Kedon Slovis and 6-foot-5 junior wide receiver Drake London. Slovis completed 15 of 37 throws for 171 yards and completed 27 of 37 passes for 299 yards. This season, London has 79 catches for 1,003 yards. Slovis did not throw a touchdown pass and was intercepted once as the Trojans outgained the Irish 424 to 383.
The Irish were missing junior All-America free safety Kyle Hamilton for the last three quarters after he hurt his right knee while defending London.
Early in the fourth quarter, USC’s Keaontay Ingram (4 yards) and Darwin Barlow (3 yards) scored short touchdown runs to cut the Trojans’ deficit to 24-16. With 4:52 remained in the game, freshman quarterback Tyler Buchner scored on a 3-yard run to seal the victory for the Irish.
Notre Dame starting quarterback Jack Coan completed 20 of 28 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown, including a 4-yard touchdown throw to Avery Davis in the first quarter to put the Irish up 7-0.
It was Notre Dame’s second consecutive win, and their first at home since moving up to No. 2 in the polls. On Oct. 2, Cincinnati defeated the Irish 24-13 at home, snapping a 26-game winning run for the Irish. It was Notre Dame’s 50th win against USC, and Kelly’s record versus the Trojans improved to 8-3 since his arrival in 2010. Lane Kiffin, Ed Orgeron, Clay Helton, and Helton’s successor Williams are the four USC coaches they’ve faced.
THE DELIVERY SERVICE
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USC: In the first half, the Trojans targeted 6-foot-5 junior wide receiver London 12 times, and he grabbed nine receptions for 109 yards on 13-of-18 passing from Slovis. However, USC’s 10-play, 52-yard drive at the conclusion of the first half came up short as the time ran out after reaching the Irish 25.
Notre Dame: The Irish were without Hamilton for most of the game when he hurt his right knee in the first quarter after completing a 29-yard Slovis-to-London throw to the Irish 13 two plays before the quarter ended. Hamilton did not return after having three interceptions this season.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE RESULTS OF THE VOTE
After both No. 7 Penn State and No. 8 Oklahoma State lost, Notre Dame might move higher.
UP NEXT
USC: The Trojans play a Pacific-12 South opponent, 0-7 Arizona, on Saturday for Homecoming.
Notre Dame: The Irish face 4-3 North Carolina on Saturday night in the second of three consecutive home games.
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