USC came into this rivalry game with Notre Dame hoping to come out the victors after losing last year in South Bend. The first half things would look pretty good for them. However they did not start out well as on their first possession they would go 3 and out. Notre Dame who could not be stopped all night would get things going on a 9 play drive the would end on a 8 yard TD pass for a 7-0 lead. USC would answer back as they were able to pass and mix in the run, Max Wittek would hit Marqise Lee for a 17 yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 at the end of the 1st quarter. Notre Dame would answer right back though as they would hit on a big play of 49 yards for a 14-7 advantage. USC would try to answer back but on their first play would have it intercepted. USC's defense would come up with 2 sacks to force the Irish into a 55 yard field goal that they would crush to make 17-7. USC would answer back right before the half on a 8 play drive that would see Wittek hit Randall Telfer for a 20 yard touchdown and cut the lead to 17-14 at the half. "That was a big play for us before the half to get it to 3," said Coach Dealer, "we knew we would have to come up with a play on defense to get our offense a chance to get us back in the game."
Well that never really happened. The Irish would only need 5 plays and they would have a 33 yard TD pass to go up 24-14. The Trojans knew they were not out of it and were putting together a nice drive but then a sack and 2 incomplete passes and the smell of trouble was in the air. Notre Dame would go on a 11 play drive that would carry over into the 4th quarter and would hit on a 43 yard field goal for a 27-14 lead. USC knew they had to get some points and the offensive line would not do it any favors as they would give up another sack. Wittek would then try and force a pass into coverage to have it intercepted. The Irish would tack on a touchdown and get another FG later to win the rivalry game 37-14. "Second half was really pitiful by us," said Dealer, "I really don't even know what to say except we didn't execute on any sides of the ball!"
great game wj, had the offense/defense going, good luck the rest of the way!
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