No. 6 USC exorcises rivalry demons with win over No. 15 Notre Dame
QB Caleb Williams spectacularly cements his Heisman frontrunner status with an 18-for-22 show, scoring four TDs
Adam Grosbard (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — In the grand scheme of this 96-year-old rivalry, six years is not a terribly long time. But for the players in the USC locker room, those six cycles around the sun might as well have been a lifetime. Entering Saturday’s regular-season finale, no Trojan had beaten Notre Dame, with four straight losses (and a DNP-COVID) haunting Los Angeles.
But that streak came to a cathartic end at the Coliseum Saturday, with No. 6 USC beating No. 15 Notre Dame 38-27.
If you couldn’t tell how much that meant to USC (11-1, 8-1 in Pac-12) based on its comments leading up to the game, the emotion was quickly evident. The Trojan defense strutted to the sidelines after linebacker Shane Lee stopped Notre Dame for a loss on third down on the Irish’s first drive.
The defense was throwing fists through the air when Ralen Goforth and Tyrone Taleni stuffed the Irish on a fourth-and-one run the next drive.
Four days after the College Football Playoff’s selection committee questioned the USC defense, the Trojans held Notre Dame to 90 yards rushing a week after the Irish put up 281 against Boston College.
And though it was his first game in the rivalry, head coach Lincoln Riley went deep into the playbook on USC’s opening touchdown drive. Tight end Lake McRee slipped through the line for a 31-yard reception on third down, which Riley followed with a reverse to Jordan Addison for another first down.
The drive ended with receiver Tahj Washington dancing through defenders to the end zone.
Returners like Washington who suffered through USC’s four-game losing streak to Notre Dame (8-4) got their pounds of flesh. The 5-foot-11 receiver went up and caught a terrific jump ball to set up a USC touchdown. That drive was set up by a fumble recovery from Goforth that ended a promising Notre Dame charge to open the second half, when the USC lead was just 10.
Tuli Tuipulotu had a monster sack to end the second quarter, and safety Calen Bullock’s fourth-quarter interception cemented the win for USC.
But the new blood that has revitalized USC played a pivotal role, too. Running back Austin Jones continued to fill in admirably for the injured Travis Dye, rushing 25 times for a career-high 154 yards. Freshman Raleek Brown was able to strut untouched into the end zone to give USC a 17-point third-quarter lead.
And, of course, there was quarterback Caleb Williams. The quarterback cemented his Heisman frontrunner status with an 18-for-22 performance, throwing one touchdown and running in three more.
He was immaculate with his decisions in read options, pulling one away from Jones at the last moment to scramble into the end zone. Then when Notre Dame respected his keeper ability, Williams handed off to Brown for his easy score.
And when he skipped into the end zone with 2:35 to play, Williams locked up the game for USC and returned the Jeweled Shillelagh to Los Angeles.
ocregister.com
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What I just read the new 12 team playoff format is ready except for the Rose Bowl people not willing to give up their time slot. It could end up the Rose Bowl will not be in involved in the CFP if they don’t relent and go along with everyone else. If they don’t agree then the 12 team format will not start until 2026, probably without the Rose Bowl involved at all.
Source, CBS Sports.
From a site called Clutch Points: The Utah Utes are preparing for a huge game this coming Friday against the USC Trojans, with both teams squaring off for the Pac-12 title. One of the most notable storylines heading into this conference championship game is the status of Utes football tight end Dalton Kincaid, who was not able to finish last Saturday’s 63-21 victory on the road over the Colorado Buffaloes due to an injury. Utah football head coach Kyle Whittingham sounded optimistic about Kincaid’s chances of playing against the Trojans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (h/t Josh Newman of The Salt Lake Tribune).… Read more »
Some names to look for in the Portal:
TRUMAN JONES, DT, HARVARD, LEVI BELL, DT, TEXAS STATE, DONT’E THORNTON, WR, OREGON 6’5″, DAMIEON GEORGE, OL, ALABAMA, THEO WEASE, WR, OKLAHOMA, TREY SANDERS, RB, ALABAMA, LJ JOHNSON, RB, TEXAS A&M Most of these guys have announced they are leaving.
In addition, was there any news about the recruits who visited this past weekend who were present at the USC-ND game? Did any make commitments? There was a post that said some 50 recruits were present. Haven’t heard anything about what went on……
I have not seen anything about commits, but there was some big enthusiasm, and guys were totally impressed. There were guys there from 2023, 2024, and 2025 classes. They were the big crowd behind the Trojan bench and in the end zone after the game.
Thanks for the info Steveg.
#4 in the CFP poll ain’t to bad. Great job Trojans.
If the CFP committee eliminates someone because they lost a 13th game, and someone that didn’t play a 13 game moves into the final four, something is very wrong.
I thought the board would enjoy putting what we have witnessed this year in perspective. I owe most of the research to Java of the Wild West Board: USC is one of only 5 major football programs to win at least 11 games this year. How rare is that: Java: “If you assume 10-win seasons are the barometer and 11 is the new ten as of about 2000? USC has ten-win seasons in 1921, 1925, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1952, 1962, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1988, and 11+ win seasons in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008,… Read more »
That’s 3 more games to WIN! Great stats RJJ. This is something to savor. Is this year just the start?! Truely amazing.
Happy 1 year anniversary of the hiring of Lincoln Riley as the Head Football Coach of the USC Trojans. It’s been a fantastic first year exceeding my hopes and expectations. SC football is back, relevant and fun to follow all 365 days again.
Beat the Utes, and Fight On!
Well, UTAH, during our earlier game this season, already used the dead guys to emotionally charge up their team and the home crowd (first used against SC by CAL for the first Joe Roth Memorial game). The game is neutral sited and they cannot go back to the dead guy well. However, we will still have Pac-12 zebras to spice up the bizarre officiating. Overall, I still like our chances, because in HS and NCAA football, it’s hard to beat a team twice in one season.
Happy Holidays Allen!! Have you heard anything new on the recruiting front since last night’s game? I had read that between 50 and 60 players were at the game.
Happy Holidays to you too @misterusc! Thanks for saying hello. Haven’t heard a thing about USC recruiting lately, but I’m sure it’s all going well. How could it not be after USC and Caleb Williams hammered your Domers into submission at the Coliseum? Thanks for the 8th Heisman which now appears headed our way. I still can’t figure out how you guys lost to this year’s putrid STAN team and the now-defunct David Shaw. In South Bend no less! That’s a mystery for the ages. Good try at the Coliseum on Saturday night though. Always love seeing those two great… Read more »
I am sure from some of the comments I have read that USC will pick up some very good commits. Riley has a new nickname….Linc-Dog. Came from a recruit.
im with you, I trust Riley. Just like everyone else, I’d like to see some big time interior lineman on both sides of the ball. I bet we hit home runs in portal.
I too was thinking about those recruits being hosted by USC at the end of the game and the impression they got from this scene. They have to realize this is just the beginning of USC football moving back into the big arena nationally and winning championships. They are in a beautiful position, especially linemen, being part of it all. Hope they get wise to this fact!
Lomu committed to Utah. I was hoping we were landing that kid.
Amazing … what season! Which should be over after playing UCLA and ND back to back now this stupid conference title game. Good thing it’s vs Utah so we can settle that home job BS they pulled on our team.
If the 4 on the bottom right take care of business Friday and Saturday, there should be no doubt they are the play off teams. The games this week are for seeding.
Need to get revenge on Utah. Rematches are almost all coaching, I like our chances. KSt can beat TCU which would help avoid a first round game at Atlanta vs Georgia, basically another home game. OhioSt has no business in top 10.
I’m really surprised OHIO ST is #5. They got abused. But the truth is, once you get past USC, there’s a bunch of teams with a lot of warts.
Funny how stubborn, overly conservative Ryan Day has suddenly slid from God’s Gift to Coaches, to a guy who is totally owned by Jim Harbaugh and has worried Buckeye fans wondering if he has what it takes.
The excessive beard dye is affecting his decision making
Yeah, I don’t remember anybody asking that question of Urban Meyer when Ohio State got boat-raced out of the first round of the playoffs 31-0 a few years ago. The outlier game happens once in a while, although the problem for Day is that it happened two years in a row and he talked a little too much before the game about how he dedicated the entire year to re-tooling to avoid a repeat of last year’s result. You should save that kind of talk for after you win, and it should not see the light of day if you… Read more »
Urban looks to me like he can’t wait to get back into coaching. He was 7-0 against MICH, and remains a god in Columbus.
Now that Day has had two smash-ups against Harbaugh with it all on the line, maybe the Buckeyes will want Urban back. Thankfully, USC didn’t go after Urban when a lot of us would have been happy with such a move. Funny how some of the best deals ever made are the ones that never happen!
Happy Holidays Rock! Hope all is well! ✌
Thanks Allen – you too! And to John and all here as well. I have never been busier at work, and it’s a nightmare before Christmas this year on that front, but I should be sprung right at Christmas and be able to enjoy the actual Christmas Holiday, New Years, and the big bowl games! I know I am spoiled by the last two weeks, but I hope we all have some big football presents to open!
This is going back’n’forth. Day owned Harbaugh since he became Buckeye HC. You knew the tables would turn eventually. Not even Woody or Bo could win too many in a row. Players graduate, some programs lose a measurable amount of starters any given year and lose some advantages. Look at the premier program Bama.
As a Colts fan I hope they break it GENTLY to Mr. Bowen (Colts #1 Beat Writer) that neither of they 2 guys are available >>>>> Kevin Bowen
@KBowen1070
Any #Colts fans cut off a pinky for a Caleb Williams/Lincoln Riley combo?
AP Poll
1. Georgia
2. Michigan
3. TCU
4. USC (same in Coaches)
5. Ohio State
6. Alabama
7. Tennessee
8. Penn State
9. Washington
10. Clemson
11. LSU
12. Utah
13. Kansas State
14. Florida State
15. Oregon
16. Oregon State
17. UCLA
18. Tulane
19. Notre Dame
20. South Carolina
21. Texas
22. UCF
23. UTSA
24. North Carolina
25. Mississippi State
Since 5-9 are not playing this week, none of them should bump the top 4, no matter what happens in the CCGs. 10-13 are too far down to be worthy of moving to the top 4.
I’m not really into giving ND any props or credit, but I do believe they have the right head coach. I think this game will have playoff implications for both teams in the years to come. I’m looking forward to it.
For 4 years that damn leprechaun has been riding my Traveler.
Now he has been knocked on his butt and will be under Traveler’s hoof for at least a year!
Please note the Pete Carroll autographed football underneath. Fight On! Great Day to be a Trojan.
Highlights from last night’s game.
https://fb.watch/h3k8EBAHUK/
Now, what’s Deion going to do? I’m pulling for the Buffs.
Matt Fortuna (The Athletic): It is absolutely insane how quickly USC got this good “Name a recruit that USC is still after, and he was on the field with Lincoln Riley after the game taking a picture with the USC boss. Dozens of former letter winners lined the sideline before the game wearing white T-shirts that on the back quoted Riley, reading: “Win the Inner Battle.” “Star Trojans such as Keyshawn Johnson and Willie McGinest were in the house, as was Brian Cushing to lead the team out of the tunnel. Grammy winner will.i.am was even shown on the scoreboard.… Read more »
Here are the results after Week 12 and heading in the final week.
Click Here for Itemized Results
Chris, you have got to let it roll again!!
I just dragged myself away from the sports page after seeing that SC will beat Utah in the PAC 12 conference championship. I had to post here the utter stupidity of the tie breaking scheme concocted by the PAC 12 brain trust. It’s like an old Star Trek episode where Kirk is trying to explain the rules to a card game he just made up. “Except Wednesday, when all cards that are red beat any black card, except the guy on your right.” Utah is perfect for SC because of the neutral field and with a little luck the PAC… Read more »
You mean Fiesta or Peach don’t you?
You know Golden, I was trying for a silly joke, something about high cotton as a place to defecate, but I’m good with being peachy or attending a fiesta. If the morons running the selection committee don’t dis the PAC we should be in for a good game in the near future.
As Caleb was performing miracles avoiding tackles, Austin Jones was carrying the load on his back giving USC great 2nd down opps. That O line that we used to think totally stunk did the magnificent job of opening great holes in that ND defense. Even against a 6 man rush the line held long enough for Caleb to escape. So very excited I hardly slept after the game and woke up with a smile.
Now it is time to get championship serious, going not just for one but the whole enchilada. Great day to be Trojans!!
David Shaw retires after 12 seasons as Stanford Football HC Stanford head coach David Shaw has resigned after 12 seasons at his alma mater. Shaw announced his decision to step down from Stanford effective immediately following Saturday night’s 36-25 loss to BYU in the season finale. “I’ve prayed about it, I’ve thought about it,” Shaw said. “With every hour, it seemed, it got more and more cemented in my head. The phrase that kept coming to mind was, ‘It’s time.’” Shaw, 50, said he had no thought of retiring until early last week and said he has no desire to… Read more »
I always thought Shaw was a good coach and a class act. Sorry to see him go actually. I doubt he will be out of the game very long, unless he gets an AD job which he could be good at also.
He had a good run, but you knew something had to change there. Wonder who will be sought after and/or interested with the unique restrictions and lack of commitment to play the NIL game. Getting one of the best educations for free will still be a draw for the true STUDENT athlete. I read that Wisconsin is going after Luke Fickell. If he’s interested a year after being courted by SC, then you know it had to have been a Midwest lifestyle decision for his family
Stanford coach David Shaw resigns.
I have to say that this season has been one that far exceeded my expectations. Early in the year I was predicting 9-3. SC is now 11-1, beat both UCLA and Notre Dame, is playing for a PAC-12 Championship and could have a Heisman Trophy winner and berth in the CFP. Congratulations to the players, coaches and HC Lincoln Riley for a complete turnaround from last year. Sending early Happy Holiday wishes to all who contribute to this wonderful blog. Many thanks to Allen and John for making this blog what it is!
USC vs Utah ……..Bring it on …..FIGHT ON !!!!!!!!!!
Washington starting to take control in this game ?
Bill Plaschke Column — Strike the Pose: USC’s Caleb Williams shines against Notre Dame, deserves Heisman… “Caleb Williams created his Heisman Moment. “Running away from seemingly half the Notre Dame defense late in the first half, leaping off one foot just ahead of a giant grasp, Williams twisted his torso and threaded the ball 23 yards down the right sideline and into the arms of Jordan Addison. “Running to the sideline with a 17-7 lead, Williams stuck his hand down and his leg up in the classic Heisman pose. “He’ll soon be holding the real thing. The race is over.… Read more »
really impressed with the rushing game and the O line!
Agree. I was very concerned when Travis Dye went down but Austin Jones has carried the load along with stints from Barlow and Brown. The much-maligned O Line was a concern going into the season but has really turned that around.
now we need to avenge that Utah loss and possibly 2 additional games!
Talk about your tie-breaker scenarios >>>>> From Yahoosports,com >>> ” Utah’s loss to Oregon virtually put them on the outside looking in for the title game. A lot needs to happen for them to get a nod to Las Vegas. Here we go. Utah needs to beat Colorado. Washington needs to beat Washington State. Oregon State needs to beat Oregon, and UCLA needs to beat Cal. Those outcomes create a three-way tie among the Ducks, Huskies and Utes. This would give Utah the highest-combined win percentage in conference games among conference opponents between the three.” <<< Could all this happen… Read more »
All of that has happened and Washington is winning. It is looking like we will face Utah.
They probably will not say this out loud …But those players in that locker room might just like another shot at Utah .
I think they do. The only team to beat them. Especially under the circumstances that the referees set up.
I feel a little bad for the Huskies, who under last years format, would have won the North division. Their turnaround, after also picking the right coach, was second only to SC.
Chris Treviño
@ChrisNTrevino
·1h
Huge win in front of a STACKED recruit list
After the game ended Caleb said a lot of right things. It got me wondering who would be coming back next year. It is refreshing to watch the Trojans execute trick plays with some success against Notre Dame in front of a national audience.
My only regret is that so many chances to fix things before this year went by without notice.
And finally it’s kinda heartwarming to see guys realize it was their last game in the building and they did well.