This Sunday marks the 40th anniversary of the greatest game in the history of USC football. "The Comeback", as the game is fondly known, featured Anthony Davis on a one-man mission to defeat the Fighting Irish and displayed the indomitable spirit of Trojan football.
With the Trojans down 24-0 late in the second quarter, quarterback Pat Haden found Davis in the end zone to put USC on the board before halftime. Head coach John McKay rallied his troops in the locker room and the Trojans erupted in the third quarter, scoring 35 unanswered points to put No. 6 USC up 41-24 with a quarter to play. Davis, who had 11 touchdowns against Notre Dame in his career, kicked off the offensive overhaul, taking back the opening kickoff of the second half 102 yards for a touchdown just as his head coach predicted. He followed the return with two short runs for scores and J.K. McKay caught two touchdown passes from Haden to conclude the quarter.
The comeback turned into a rout as the Trojans finished the game in dominant fashion, beating their intersectional rival 55-24. USC would go on to win its fourth national title under John McKay, defeating Ohio State, 18-17, in the Rose Bowl in another come-from-behind victory.
