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Notre Dame vs. USC score, takeaways: Irish defense dismantles Trojans, Caleb Williams in bounce-back win
Notre Dame's defense and special teams stole the show as USC fell from the ranks of the unbeatens on the road
No. 21 Notre Dame dominated No. 10 USC 48-20 at home to hand the Trojans their first loss of the season. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams threw a career-worst three interceptions, all of which led to three decisive Notre Dame touchdowns on short fields.
While the Fighting Irish scored 48 points, it was the defense and special teams that stole the show in the win. Three of Notre Dame's touchdowns came on drives that traveled just 62 yards as a result of Williams' costly interceptions. Another came on a kickoff return for a touchdown, while the Irish found the end zone late on a scoop-and-score.
Linebacker JD Bertrand posted 1.5 tackles for loss in the win, but no other Fighting Irish player posted more than one sack or tackle for loss. Six different players were credited with at least half a sack, while 11 earned a tackle for loss. Safety Xavier Watts had a pair of interceptions off Williams to set up the touchdown drives along with the scoop-and-score.
USC has been living on borrowed time all season. The Trojans narrowly survived a triple-overtime game against Arizona one week ago in a 43-41 decision. One week earlier, Colorado nearly came all the way back in a 48-41 win for USC. On this night, however, Notre Dame's defense was simply too physical to overcome for USC's struggling offensive line.
Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman only threw the ball 20 times, finishing with 126 yards and two touchdowns in the win with the highlight being a 46-yard touchdown toss to receiver Chris Tyree. Running back Audric Estime added 83 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Williams posted just 199 yards and one touchdown with the three interceptions. It's been more than a calendar year since Williams had thrown for fewer than 200 yards in a game.
1. Notre Dame's trenches are fearsome
Football is always decided in the trenches, and that was especially evident in this game. Notre Dame sacked Caleb Williams six times, held USC to 2.8 yards per carry and was credited with 11 tackles for loss. On the other side, Notre Dame's star-studded offensive line held USC to just one tackle for loss, averaged 4.3 yards per carry and did not allow a sack.
Williams is one of the most brilliant players in college football history, but the Irish got in his face with relative ease and forced him into bad decisions. The interceptions and fumble were caused by pressure on the front end.
There are still pieces of Notre Dame's roster that have to get worked out. The offensive output was lackluster against a porous USC defense and, at times, the offensive playcalling appears hesitant to embrace their talent quarterback. Regardless, the advantage in the trenches gives Notre Dame a trump card from the start.
2. USC's line play is not
USC criticism has largely focused on the defense, and for good reason. However, Saturday marked a breaking point for a USC offensive line that has flown under the radar as one of the worst units on the team. Williams was under duress every single snap and the running game showed little fire.
One of the biggest red flags is the way USC's roster loses focus when things go wrong. The final scoop-and-score touchdown was the perfect example as USC offensive players barely responded when Mario Williams dropped the ball. Championship teams show focus every single play, but USC has been emotionally volatile over Riley's first two seasons.
3. Offense needs to step back up
It sounds silly to say after a 48-20 win, but Notre Dame needs more from its offense over the final stretch of the season. Hartman threw for just 126 yards in the win and only one receiver finished with more than 24 yards. Star freshman Jaden Greathouse didn't catch a pass.
Irish coach Marcus Freeman wants to control games, but offensive coordinator Gerad Parker needs to open the playbook and let his quarterback cook. Hartman threw for 13 touchdowns in nonconference play but is under 7.0 yards per pass attempt over his last four games. There's meat left on the bone there.
4. What's on the table?
Notre Dame has to be kicking itself for losing to Louisville, especially as the Cardinals suffered a massive loss to Pitt on Saturday. The second loss will likely keep Notre Dame out of serious College Football Playoff contention, which only gets more painful when remembering the close nature of its loss to Ohio State. However, a New Year's Six bowl is on the table if Notre Dame can beat Clemson for the second year in a row.
For USC, the path is open but tricky. The Trojans play five teams ranked in the top 18 of the AP Top 25 over their next six games. Utah and Oregon, especially, should take delight in physically bludgeoning the undermanned USC lines. Offensive line coach Josh Henson is well regarded, but can he fix this unit in a week?
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USC can't block them
There's not a whole lot more to say. Caleb Williams is under duress essentially every single play. He's been sacked three times and hurried three more on the books, though the pressures have been too many to count. The downfield passing game is virtually nonexistent because of the issues.
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That should just about wrap it up
USC scores, and once again, Notre Dame responds immediately.
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Branch's speed helps
4Q: Notre Dame 31, USC 20
USC's offense has struggled to find consistency, but star freshman kick returner Zachariah Branch has provided a spark in his return. Branch returned a punt all the way back into the red zone, where Caleb Williams and Austin Jones combined to fuel a push into the end zone. USC's defense has held Notre Dame to just seven second-half points, but USC needs more of Branch's explosive playmaking to overcome an 11-point lead with only nine minutes remaining.
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That was the offense Notre Dame needed
They finally take a shot downfield off play action and Sam Hartman hits Chris Tyree for a 46-yard TD to put the Irish back up by 18. It was such a pretty throw that you might wonder why the Irish don't do it more often! Hartman is now 11/17 for 119 yards and two touchdowns on the evening. He's outplayed Williams, though that's not saying a whole lot.
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USC finally breaks out
3Q: Notre Dame 24, USC 13
USC has been limited to dinking-and-dunking down the field for much of the day, but a speed option was finally the breakout play as Caleb Williams tossed it to MarShawn Lloyd for a 31-yard touchdown. The score was the first of the day for USC, which has outgained the Fighting Irish by nearly 100 yards. Suddenly, the game is within 11 points despite all the early miscues.
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Notre Dame defense finally cracks
The Notre Dame offense has had two possessions in the second half and gone 3-and-out on both. The defense bailed it out yet again after the first one. It couldn't do it on the second. The Notre Dame defense has now been on the field for 24 of the 38 minutes that have been played, and MarShawn Lloyd's 31-yard run through a tired defense at least got them off the field. I don't know that the Irish need points on this next possession, but they have to pick up some first downs and give the defense time to breathe.
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The Irish need more from their offense
Yes, they lead by 18, but 18 points isn't a lot for this USC offense to overcome. It overcame a 17-0 deficit just last week. You can't keep asking your defense to play incredible against this team and hope that'll be enough to win.
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Bizarre choice
HALF: Notre Dame 24, USC 6
USC was scrambling to clock the ball after a sack with seconds remaining and it appeared unlikely that the Trojans would be able to get a snap off in time. However, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman called a timeout to try and protect against an offsides call on his defense and it turned into three points for USC right as the half ended. Freeman was correct that Notre Dame was at risk of an offsides penalty, but USC was likely not fully set in time to snap the ball. If he had not called the timeout, the Trojans likely would have run out of time.
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The Irish are having the time of their lives
Caleb Williams had one intereception this season coming into tonight's game. He's thrown three in the first half, and the Irish have turned all three into touchdowns. This time the Irish offense had to go 50 yards to do so, but Audric Estime's second touchdown of the night makes it a 24-3 game just before halftime. It has been a whooping so far.
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Caleb is in trouble
USC quarterback Caleb Williams has been the best player in college football for most of the last year, but he is having one of his lowest moments in South Bend. Williams just threw his third interception in the first half, the first three-interception performance of his career. The interceptions are especially backbreaking as Notre Dame has yet to put together any lengthy drives against USC's defense. Both previous touchdowns came on short fields, and a third could be on the way.
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Maybe Notre Dame's defense is indestructible
The Irish get pressure on Caleb Williams and for the second time tonight, Williams panics, makes a throw he shouldn't, and Xavier Watts picks it off. Audric Estime crashes into the end zone from two yards out on the next play and it's 17-3 Irish.
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Huge stand for the Irish
The Trojans put together another time-consuming drive and move inside the Notre Dame 30 when faced with a 4th and 1. The Trojans leave the offense out and JD Bertrand shoots the gap to meet Austin Jones in the backfield and blow up the play at the mesh point. It's a turnover on downs, but it was another 6 minute drive. The Irish defense has been on the field for 16.5 of the first 24 minutes of the game.
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Swings both ways
USC was set to punt, but Notre Dame ran into the kicker and Caleb Williams converted a shorter margin one play later for a first down. Three plays later, Williams took a zone read 38 yards for a touchdown... but a holding was called on left guard Emmanuel Pregnon. The Trojans ultimately turned it over on downs. Both teams are struggling to get out of their own ways.
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Key starter down
USC starting safety Max Williams left the game with an apparent injury and was helped to the locker room with tears in his eyes. He is not expected to return, and backup Bryson Shaw entered the game in his stead. Williams earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention in 2022 after starting 13 games and had two pass breakups and an interception in five games this year.
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Slow and steady
1Q: Notre Dame 7, USC 3
USC's first two drives were disasters, but the Trojans found juice on the third drive. Quarterback Caleb Williams completed all four of his passes to get USC into the red zone, but was unable to convert it into a touchdown as the Trojans settled for a field goal. Still, USC moved the ball effectively against a physical Irish defense. It's a promising sign.
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The Irish stand tall in the red zone
Well, there are warning signs. USC had a much easier time moving the ball when it didn't turn it over. The Trojans also got the benefit of a personal foul on the Irish after offensive PI put them in a 1st and 25. Still, when the field shrunk, the Irish defense made it even smaller, and Cam Hart stoned Michael Jackson on 3rd down to force the Trojans to settle for the field goal. The problem is that while they've forced a turnover, the Irish don't have a tackle for loss yet, and Caleb Williams is getting time. Also, the Irish defense has been on the field nearly the entire quarter. That could become a problem as the game wears on.
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Wasted possession
The Trojans got the first crack on offense, but a rare miscue from Caleb Williams set USC behind the chains. Williams threw his second interception of the season, which was returned well into the red zone for Notre Dame. USC has scored on its first drive in three of its four Power Five matchups, the lone exception coming last week against Arizona. The Wildcats managed to push USC to triple-overtime.
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A dream start for the Irish
The Irish get pressure on Caleb Williams' face and he forces a throw off his backfoot that sails over his target and into the awaiting arms of Xavier Watts. Watts' 38-yard return sets the Irish up at the USC 12, and Sam Hartman finds Gi'Bran Paye for a 4-yard TD three plays later. Just like that, it's 7-0 Notre Dame. I said it was important for the Irish to get off to a hot start, and they've done just that.
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The first quarter will be big for the Irish
USC has outscored opponents 77-24 in the 1st quarter this year, outscoring them by an average of 8.8 points per game. Notre Dame has done pretty well, too, outscoring teams 45-17, but that's only an average of 4 points per game. Against an offense as potent as the Trojans, the Irish can't afford to fall in a hole early and play from behind.
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Picking the matchup
Our CBS Sports experts are split heading into a massive matchup between USC and Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are favored by Dennis Dodd, Chip Patterson, Barrett Sallee and David Cobb. USC holds the edge, according to Tom Fornelli, Shehan Jeyarajah and Jerry Palm. With a tight 2.5-point line in Notre Dame's favor, no one split the difference. The public is similarly split as 55% of betters lean towards the Notre Dame line, while USC holds a 70-30 advantage in moneyline bets. It should be anyone's game.
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Branch could play
USC freshman wide receiver Zachariah Branch was seen warming up in advance of the Trojans' game against Notre Dame. Branch had missed the two previous games with an undisclosed injury, but was reported as a game-time decision by ESPN.
Branch is not guaranteed to play, even if he successfully goes through warmups. USC coach Lincoln Riley told reporters this week that Branch still had a significant amount to go before he would be ready to play on Saturday after missing much of practice this week. However, warming up is a further step than he has taken for several weeks.
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Cold and wet
CBS Sports writer Tom Fornelli pointed to the weather as a key component as USC travels east to take on Notre Dame in South Bend. The weather has settled right around 50 degrees around game time, but the wind has died down. The humidity is an exceedingly high 86%.
"The weather forecast for this game is important," Tom Fornelli wrote. "It's expected to be cold, wet and windy when these two get underway Saturday night. Those typically aren't the kind of weather conditions that make for a high-scoring affair."
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Notre Dame president steps down
Notre Dame announced Friday that university president John Jenkins will step down from his post at the end of the 2023-24 academic calendar. Jenkins, who has served as school president since 2005, will return to teaching and ministry at the university.
In addition to his role as Notre Dame president, Jenkins serves on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers. As an independent institution, Notre Dame holds a permanent spot on both the playoff's Board of Managers -- comprised of presidents and chancellors representing each FBS conference and Notre Dame -- and the Management Committee, which consists of the 10 FBS conference commissioners and Notre Dame's athletic director. Read more here:
Notre Dame's John Jenkins stepping down: Longtime school president, CFP board member exiting post in 2024
Will Backus
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