University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
Final Thoughts: USC Defeats Rival Notre Dame, Finishes 11-1 in Regular Season
November 28, 2022 | Football
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Coliseum Stays Undefeated
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USC's win Saturday night snapped a five-game winning streak for Notre Dame and marked the first time the Trojans have beaten the Irish since 2016.
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The win also sealed an 11-1 regular season for the Trojans - their best since 2008.
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Lincoln Riley's 11 wins ties for the most by a USC debut head coach in the regular season, matching the 11 wins by Howard Jones in 1925 and John Robinson in 1976.
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In addition, USC's 7-victory increase from last season matches the biggest one-season turnaround in program history. The other 7-game improvement was when the 1962 National Champion Trojans won 11 games after winning only 4 in the 1961 season.
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The Trojans went undefeated at home this season for the first time since 2017.
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Hello Heisman
Is that a Heisman pose I spy from USC QB Caleb Williams after his touchdown? pic.twitter.com/ptACXzXOIz
— Keely Eure (@keelyismyname) November 27, 2022-
If Caleb Williams' play didn't invoke the word Heisman in your mind Saturday night, maybe the pose he struck after his four touchdowns on the night rang a bell.
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Caleb Williams continued to be electric on the field against the Irish and vaulted himself even further into the national conversation for Heisman finalists. The quarterback finished 18 of 22 for 232 yards with one touchdown pass. Williams also had 9 carries for 35 yards and 3 touchdowns. The sophomore's 4 combined touchdowns on the night added to his total of 44 on the season which broke USC's previous record of 41 that was held by both Matt Barkley and Cody Kessler.
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In addition, Williams' 351 rushing yards this season is also the most by a USC QB in the last 70 years since complete records were available. The previous record was 342 by Jim Sears in 1952.
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Overall, the Trojans' 38 points and 436 total yards were the most allowed by Notre Dame this season. Running back Austin Jones had 25 carries for a career-high 154 yards. It was his third 100-yard rushing game of the season and 6th of his career.
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USC's Defense Rises to the Occasion
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There were many questions this week as to how USC's defense would respond to Notre Dame's offense considering it played into two of the Trojans' weaknesses this season - a powerful run game and a dynamic tight end.
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Those questions were answered Saturday night as the Trojans contained the Irish to just 90 rushing yards - their third lowest allowed this season. USC also snapped Notre Dame's five-game streak of scoring at least 35 points a game.
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Head coach Lincoln Riley alluded to the outside noise this week, saying after the game, "I kind of got sick and tired of hearing how we were just gonna get pounded in the run game. That didn't happen. Really proud of the way we stopped the run."
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USC's defense continued to produce timely takeaways Saturday - recording a fumble recovery and an interception. Safety Calen Bullock recorded his fifth interception on the year, which is the most in a season by a Trojan since Adoree' Jackson also had 5 in 2016.
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USC now has 19 interceptions as a team, the most since the 2005 team recorded 22.
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Looking Forward
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While USC punched its ticket to the Pac-12 championship game last week, its opponent was finally decided Saturday night.
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In a storyline built for Hollywood, the Trojans will have a chance to avenge their sole loss of the season, as they are set to face Utah in Las Vegas on Friday.
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USC's win against Notre Dame also helped its case for a spot in the College Football Playoff - especially given how several other games shook out on Saturday as well.
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When asked about the Trojans' future following the game, quarterback Caleb Williams replied:
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"I think we're as good as any team, from Spring ball to summer workouts and things like that, I thought we were gonna be a great team," Williams said. "The outside world is going to say what they want to say, and we are 11-1 right now, so obviously it doesn't matter. We thought we were a great team, and we've shown that. Whatever happens is going to happen, but we have a game this week and we have to focus on that."
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The Full Picture
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I know it's been said many times at this point of the year - but can we please just take a moment to realize what Lincoln Riley has done so far in Year One?
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The head coach launched USC to an 11-1 record just a year after its abysmal 4-8 season.
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The Trojans are heading to the Pac-12 championship while simultaneously being in the conversation for the college football playoff. Quarterback Caleb Williams is in the running for the Heisman, not to mention the other awards that other Trojan staff and players are in the running for.
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Both of USC's rivals were given the taste of defeat, as the Victory Bell and the Shelayleigh were returned to Trojans this season.
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And what was most noticeable on a night like Saturday - Riley has restored pride at the Coliseum. It was an incredible environment for the Trojans final game at home Saturday with more than 72 thousand in attendance.
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"It's fun seeing the Coli like that," Riley said following the game. "Sitting up there at that press conference almost close to 12 months ago just imagining that, and these guys have brought it to life. I don't know how long it's been since it was like that. I haven't been here before, but man it was electric in there. That's kind of what I remember watching as a young kid."
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It's a stark contrast to just last season - when USC's opponents relished in their wins in Los Angeles and their fans often gathered in the abandoned seats at the 50-yard line.
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Just a year later, USC fans were treated to an undefeated season at home and the return of pride within the Coliseum walls.
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