Notre Dame Triumphs Over USC: Jeremiyah Love Shines in CFP Showdown
In a wild Saturday showdown, No. 13 Notre Dame pulled off a 34-24 win over No. 20 USC. This one really mattered for their College Football Playoff hopes.
The game was packed with big moments and some gutsy calls. Notre Dame showed once again why they’re not a team anyone should overlook.
Let’s dig into what made this clash so memorable—standout performances, coaching decisions, and a quick look at what might be next for both sides.
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The Dynamic Duo: Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price
Notre Dame’s backfield was the engine behind their win. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price both had nights they won’t forget.
Love ran wild, piling up 228 yards and a touchdown—easily a career high. Price chipped in with 87 rushing yards and then stunned everyone with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Honestly, these two just kept finding ways to make plays. They let Notre Dame control the tempo and keep the pressure on USC all night.
Jeremiyah Love’s Heisman-Worthy Performance
Love was everywhere. He racked up 24 carries for 228 yards and a score, and even caught five passes for 37 more yards.
His runs kept breaking open, and at times, it looked like USC just couldn’t stop him. He even threw a key lead block on quarterback CJ Carr’s touchdown in the fourth quarter—talk about doing it all.
Notre Dame’s Defensive Prowess
Notre Dame’s defense deserves a ton of credit, too. They managed to keep USC’s offense in check, especially on the ground.
It felt like every time USC tried to get their run game going, Notre Dame was a step ahead. They also made sure Makai Lemon, USC’s star receiver, never really got loose.
Key Defensive Plays
The Irish defense came up with two big interceptions off USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. They also pounced on a late fumble that pretty much sealed things.
Defensive coordinator Chris Ash had his unit dialed in, even with defensive tackle Gabe Rubio out. The plan just worked.
USC’s Struggles and Missed Opportunities
USC had their chances. They just couldn’t cash in when it mattered.
There was a missed extra point, a dropped third-down pass in the red zone, and a missed field goal. All those little mistakes added up.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 328 yards, so the offense moved the ball. But they just couldn’t finish drives, and that’s what hurt them most.
Controversial Play Calls
One call from USC coach Lincoln Riley really stood out. He dialed up a trick play in the rain, and it backfired—Makai Lemon fumbled, and that was basically the end of USC’s comeback hopes.
Riley even called it a *stupid call* afterward. Sometimes you gamble, and sometimes it just blows up in your face.
The Road Ahead for Notre Dame
This win bumps Notre Dame to 5-2, giving them a real shot at the College Football Playoff. Their upcoming games? Boston College, Navy, Pitt, Syracuse, and Stanford.
On paper, they should be favorites in all of those. Maybe they finish 10-2? Hard to say if that’ll be enough for the playoff, though.
Playoff Chances
The Athletic’s Austin Mock gives Notre Dame a 67 percent shot at making the playoff. Beating USC was huge, since it might be their last ranked opponent this year.
Now they’ve got to keep winning and hope things break their way. That’s college football for you.
USC’s Diminished Playoff Hopes
This loss is a gut punch for USC’s playoff dreams. They’re 5-2 and now basically have to win out, including a tough trip to Oregon, just to stay in the hunt.
They’ve also got Iowa, Nebraska, and UCLA left. Not exactly a cakewalk.
Implications for the Big Ten Title Race
Losing to Illinois earlier already put USC behind in the Big Ten race. Mock’s model now gives them just a 2 percent chance to win the conference.
If they want any shot at an at-large playoff bid, they can’t afford another slip-up. And they’ll need a little luck elsewhere, too.
The Future of the Notre Dame-USC Rivalry
Here’s something to chew on: Saturday’s game might be the last Notre Dame-USC matchup we get for a while. Their agreement ran out this season, and nothing new is in place yet.
Both schools say they want to keep the rivalry going, but with the playoff format in flux, who knows what’ll happen. College football never sits still for long, does it?
Historical Significance
The Notre Dame-USC rivalry kicked off back in 1926. It’s been a mainstay in college football, with just a handful of interruptions over the decades.
If the series hits pause now, Notre Dame walks away with the last three wins—and all by double digits. Actually, they’ve taken seven of the last eight games. That kind of run just piles on to the history between these two.
