In a game dominated by offensive playmakers and seismic momentum shifts, Notre Dame dominated the fourth quarter and outlasted the explosive USC Trojans by 41-31 on Saturday evening. The Irish trailed by 31-24 late in the third quarter, but two 90-yard drives and a pair of interceptions by their much-maligned defense gave the hosts a hard earned victory. Notre Dame moved to 6-1 on the season and heads into a well-deserved bye week in its schedule, while USC dropped to 3-3.
The fireworks started early as the teams traded haymakers throughout a wild 24-24 first half. The Trojans needed only three minutes to score on their opening drive, while the Irish answered one play later with a 75-yard bomb from DeShone Kizer to Will Fuller.