One more game, one more putrid opening quarter of offense for the Fighting Irish. It's almost unbelievable at this point that the team continues to come up empty on opening possessions and fire blanks in the 1st quarter every week. This time, it was a failed 4th and short opportunity and massive fumble that put Notre Dame down by 7 mid-way through the 2nd quarter. An epic battle with spurts of quality offense from both teams and big time defensive stops. With under a minute to go in the 2nd quarter, the Irish offense finally put a huge drive together, capping it with a 6yd Jadarian Price touchdown run with :06 on the clock.
The offense drawing even and Coach Reign's verbal beatdown during halftime clearly got through to the defense. Within a matter of :45 seconds, Notre Dame produced 3 pick 6s! Launching the Irish ahead 28-7. HB Jeremiyah Love added another rushing touchdown with about 2min to go, to put the game on ice, 35-7 Notre Dame!
Coach Reign: "The score is indicative of the battle that Coach Mason and the Trojans put us through today. You take away that incredible :45 seconds of wild action and this was an absolute heavyweight slugfest. That team is loaded with shifty talent. We looked like we were chasing greased chickens out there. Now our attention is on Tulane. Regardless of ranking, we have to finish the job. There's no first round by for us in the CFP, so we need to make every snap count and stay consistent."
### Notre Dame Routs USC 35-7 in Dominant Performance
In a commanding display of football prowess, Notre Dame defeated USC with a decisive 35-7 victory. The game highlighted Notre Dame's well-rounded team effort, combining an explosive offense with a stifling defense to secure a dominant win over the Trojans.
#### Notre Dame's Offensive Explosion
Notre Dame's offense was led by quarterback Riley Leonard, who delivered an impressive performance, completing 8 of 12 passes for 176 yards. Leonard's efficient play, with no interceptions and a near-perfect quarterback rating of 189.9, was a key factor in the victory. His standout connection was with tight end Mitchell Evans, who made the most of his opportunities, catching 3 passes for 102 yards, including several critical completions that set up scoring drives.
The rushing attack was equally effective. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price each contributed with significant runs, combining for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns. Love, with 68 yards on 11 carries, and Price, with 57 yards on 11 carries, were pivotal in wearing down the USC defense and controlling the clock. Gi Bran Payne also chipped in with 11 yards on 3 carries, while Riley Leonard added a few yards on the ground, despite some negative yardage due to sacks.
#### Notre Dame’s Defensive Masterclass
The Irish defense was a formidable force, suffocating USC's offensive attempts throughout the game. Notre Dame’s defense recorded 61 total tackles and 16 tackles for loss, with standout performances from several key players. Rylie Mills led the charge with 8 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks, disrupting USC’s offense at every turn. Jack Kiser and Benjamin Morrison each had an interception, adding to the defensive tally and limiting USC's scoring opportunities.
#### USC’s Offensive Woes
USC’s offense struggled to find any rhythm against Notre Dame's relentless defense. Quarterback Miller Moss had a difficult game, completing 14 of 25 passes for just 117 yards and throwing 6 interceptions. The Trojans' rushing game, led by Woody Marks who rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown, was their only bright spot but was not enough to counter the Irish’s defensive dominance. Marks’ 20 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown was not enough to offset the struggles of the passing game.
#### Special Teams Contributions
On special teams, Notre Dame’s Mitch Jeter was perfect on extra points, going 5-for-5. Punter Chris Salerno also played a key role, punting 3 times for 113 yards, including 2 punts that pinned USC deep in their own territory. USC’s punter, Eddie Czaplicki, had 82 yards on 3 punts but could not shift the momentum in the Trojans' favor.
#### Final Thoughts
Notre Dame's comprehensive 35-7 victory over USC was a showcase of their balanced approach and dominance on both sides of the ball. The Irish's ability to execute offensively while stifling USC's efforts defensively underscored their readiness for the challenges ahead. USC will need to regroup and address their offensive inefficiencies as they look to bounce back in their upcoming games. Shout out to Coach Reign for a great couple quarters of game until the picks started flowing from me. Good luck going forward!
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