Written by Garin Turner
In a battle of two rivals with College Football Playoffs hopes, the USC Trojans (6-2, 1-2 PAC-12), hopes may have gone up in smoke as they lost in disappointing fashion to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1) 49-13 in a game that was never close. With the win comes bragging rights and the Irish taking home the Shillelagh Trophy. The 49 points scored where the most for the Irish in the series since a 49-19 victory back in 1977.
USC fumbled on its opening drive and from there nothing went right for the Trojans. The Irish turned it into points, scoring on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Wimbush to Equanimeous St. Brown. For the rest of the half, the possessions for the Trojans after the opening fumble were punt, missed field goal, interception, punt, and punt. At halftime, the Irish were already up 28-0.
USC quarterback Sam Darnold lost the fumble on the opening drive and also threw an interception. He finished 20/28 for 229 yards and two touchdowns. He was also sacked five times and hurried in the pocket seven times. USC didn't have much of a running game as they fell behind quickly. Ronald Jones II had 12 carries for 32 yards. Wide receiver Deontay Burnett had a good day for the Trojans with eight receptions for 113 yards and a score.
Wimbush was 9/19 for the Irish for 120 yards and two touchdowns. The running game was the story for the offense. 47 carries for 377 yards and five touchdowns did the Trojans in along with the turnovers. Josh Adams had 19 carries for 191 yards and three touchdowns while Wimbush had 14 carries for 106 yards and two scores. This is the fourth time this season that the duo has gained over 100 yards in the same game.
The Irish have now forced a turnover or a punt on the first defensive series in all seven games this season. The Irish have forced 17 turnovers in 2017. Out of those 17, 13 have been converted into touchdowns and one into a field goal.
In the first half, the Irish held the Trojans to negative four yards rushing on 12 attempts. The Trojans finished with 76 yards on 31 carries. Notre Dame's 28-0 halftime lead was the second largest in series history.
Notre Dame will have to keep its emotions in check as they hit the road next week to take on No. 16 North Carolina State.
USC will try to rebound as they travel to Arizona to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils.
USC fumbled on its opening drive and from there nothing went right for the Trojans. The Irish turned it into points, scoring on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Wimbush to Equanimeous St. Brown. For the rest of the half, the possessions for the Trojans after the opening fumble were punt, missed field goal, interception, punt, and punt. At halftime, the Irish were already up 28-0.
USC quarterback Sam Darnold lost the fumble on the opening drive and also threw an interception. He finished 20/28 for 229 yards and two touchdowns. He was also sacked five times and hurried in the pocket seven times. USC didn't have much of a running game as they fell behind quickly. Ronald Jones II had 12 carries for 32 yards. Wide receiver Deontay Burnett had a good day for the Trojans with eight receptions for 113 yards and a score.
Wimbush was 9/19 for the Irish for 120 yards and two touchdowns. The running game was the story for the offense. 47 carries for 377 yards and five touchdowns did the Trojans in along with the turnovers. Josh Adams had 19 carries for 191 yards and three touchdowns while Wimbush had 14 carries for 106 yards and two scores. This is the fourth time this season that the duo has gained over 100 yards in the same game.
The Irish have now forced a turnover or a punt on the first defensive series in all seven games this season. The Irish have forced 17 turnovers in 2017. Out of those 17, 13 have been converted into touchdowns and one into a field goal.
In the first half, the Irish held the Trojans to negative four yards rushing on 12 attempts. The Trojans finished with 76 yards on 31 carries. Notre Dame's 28-0 halftime lead was the second largest in series history.
Notre Dame will have to keep its emotions in check as they hit the road next week to take on No. 16 North Carolina State.
USC will try to rebound as they travel to Arizona to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils.