South Bend, IN – 1:04 remaining and everyone in the stadium is thinking the same thing, onside kick. USC lines up and Notre Dame takes a timeout to see how USC would set up and secure the biggest play of the game. The Fighting Irish secured the onside kicks and narrowly escapes with the win.
Notre Dame sealed the win 30-27 after several ups and downs, while fighting hard for every single yard and point scored, i guess that’s why they are The Fighting Irish.
Tony Jones Jr had a career game for Notre Dame as he ran all over USC in the first half for a total of 120 yards. This came after several mental mistakes that lead to penalties that would of broke down most teams, but not the Fighting Irish. Lenzy who added 51 rushing yards and a TD also in the first half, helped the rushing game led the way for Notre Dame.
What a night for football in South Bend, Indiana. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish hosted the USC Trojans, in one of the longest rivalry dating back from 1926. Out of 90 total meetings, Notre Dame leads the series 46-36-5.
Brian Kelly team ready to go and not allow them to lose track of the importance of today’s game stating “This is a Rivalry Game” also stating that this is 1 of 2 college games he never wanted to miss growing up. “I watched this game for many years growing up so the history and tradition does not escape me” said Kelly.
Both teams made big offensive plays and huge defensive plays throughout the 1st quarter, until 2:13 when USC kicked a 40 yard field goal to place them in the lead. Notre Dame’s nerves seemed to get the best of them resulting in a few key penalties, one on the kickoff return following USC’s field goal.
Notre Dame’s 3 penalties for 25 yards in the 1st quarter really hurt them.
Arm tackling by the defense allowed USC to get ideal field position to start off their drive after the touchdown. Placing the pressure on Notre Dame’s defense which rose to the occasion forcing USC to punt.
It took only 4 plays for Notre Dame to march down the field and score again, getting their longest rushing touchdown of the season on a 51 yard scamper by Lenzy. Notre Dame running backs had a field day with Jones going for 120 yards and Lenzy adding 51 yards all in the first half.
The offensive line lead the way followed by a stout rushing attack that would not be denied, this opened up the game for Notre Dame. The line of scrimmage was dominated by the big offensive front, which even led to QB Book making several runs for the Fighting Irish leading to 45 yard field goal placing Notre Dame ahead 17-3 going into half time.
Notre Dame had several players with big games today including Asmar Bilal who had 10 tackles and 2 tackle for loss, Khalid Kareem also added 7 tackles and 1 sack to help Notre Dame dominate USC.
Between the offensive line and the defense controlling the line of scrimmage, Notre Dame showed just what smash mouth football is all about.
Notre Dame defense stepped up to seal the deal and deny USC, until 1:11 when USC put together a drive of their own, getting down to the 2 yard line and punching it in to make it a 3 point game with 1 minute left in regulation.
Now USC will travel home with a moral victory, while Notre Dame was victorious.
