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Click here for the post-game press conference.
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Late Shift
USC opened the game with back-to-back scoring drives to take a 10-7 lead, but Notre Dame responded with 17 consecutive points. Just when it looked like the Fighting Irish might run away with it, the Trojans went on a 21-0 tear. However, Notre Dame enjoyed the final momentum swing, winning the fourth quarter 17-0. "It was a strange game with a lot of momentum shifts," said interim head coach Clay Helton. "There are no moral victories. We're here to win football games."Fearsome Fight
Considering the week the Trojans had, many teams would have caved under Notre Dame's first surge, but the Trojans responded with some of their best football of the season. "They played with extreme effort, and I'm really proud of them," said Helton. Adoree' Jackson made two huge plays, a forced fumble at the goal line on defense and a career-long 83-yard TD catch-and-run on offense. Freshman RB Ronald Jones II was impressive as well, breaking off a 65-yard run to setup another score. The defense, led by linebackers Cam Smith and Su'a Cravens, who combined to make 21 tackles, controlled the middle portion of the game. "We all have a head coach that we love, so we're definitely going to keep fighting," said WR Jalen Greene.
Correctable Errors
Helton shouldered the blame for the miscues which ultimately cost USC the game. "At the end of the day, we made too many mistakes," he said. "That's my job as head coach to get those corrected." On the wrong side of the ledger, the Trojans hurt themselves with two turnovers and 10 penalties for 105 yards. And, special teams missed a field goal and allowed a blocked punt returned for a touchdown.
Mash Unit
Without Steven Mitchell Jr. and Isaac Whitney, the USC wideouts needed some fresh faces to step up. Jalen Greene (2 catches for 22 yards) and Deontay Burnett (3 catches for 53 yards) seized the opportunity. "To have some young guys really contribute and put us in position to win the ball game, the future is really bright," said Helton. "There's a lot of talent here at USC." In his first start, Greene, who converted to wide receiver from quarterback this season, showed off his arm as well, hitting JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 75-yard touchdown on a trick play. "I felt no pressure," said Greene. "I came here for a reason. This is a big time program, and we are going to play in big time games, so I have to stay ready."
Due Credit
Notre Dame will likely be in the thick of the College Football Playoff discussion this season because Brian Kelly's team has playmakers all over the field. "They won their one-on-one match-ups," Helton said about Notre Dame. "I commend their quarterback. He put the ball in position for their kids to make plays and their kids made plays, some tough plays. Obviously, we need to do a better job stopping the run, but I think [C.J. Prosise] is a good football player." Prosise ran for 143 yards on 19 carries. Irish QB DeShone Kizer kept USC from overcommitting to stop the run by exploiting the Trojans' secondary with vertical passes. "We struggled against the run and then deep balls," said CB Kevon Seymour. "As corners, we have got to win our one-on-ones and make plays when the ball is in the air. We lost today when the ball was in the air."
Halfway Home
Where do the Trojans go from here? "With every fiber of my being, I believe this is a good football team," said Helton. "We're going to look up and be proud of this football team at the end of the season." At this point, USC is 3-3 overall with a must-win game against Utah in the Coliseum next week if the Trojans hope to remain in the Pac-12 South race. "We have to be leaders and let the young guys know that it's not over," said Seymour. "We still have a lot of ball left to play."
Extra Point...
Haden's Health
USC athletic director Pat Haden felt lightheaded before the game, but he was given a clean bill of health by the team doctors. He tweeted a thank you to the Trojan Family for its support today.
Here are the game highlights:
