USC
Notre Dame
Players Mentioned
USC Football Hosts No. 5 Notre Dame In College Football's Greatest Intersectional Rivalry
November 26, 2024 | Football
THE GREATEST INTERSECTIONAL RIVALRY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL
*USC and Notre Dame…two renowned brands…two iconic football programs…it doesn't get any better.
*USC hosts the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 95th meeting of the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football. It will be shown live nationally on CBS.
*The game is a battle between schools with glorious gridiron heritages. The winner gets year-long possession of the jeweled Shillelagh.
*In its last 12 games against the Irish, USC is 4-8.
*Notre Dame is ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll, while USC is unranked.
*A Trojan win would shake up the College Football Playoff bracket.
WINNING TRADITIONS
*USC and Notre Dame have 2 of the top gridiron heritages in the country.
*The schools have both won 11 national titles (USC in 1928-31-32-39-62-67-72-74-78-2003-04 and Notre Dame in 1924-29-30-43-46-47-49-66-73-77-88).
*Notre Dame is fourth in all-time victories among Division I-A schools (958, not including 21 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty) and USC is eighth (881, not including 14 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty).
*USC has played in 55 bowls (with 35 wins, not including 1 win and 2 appearances vacated due to NCAA penalty), while Notre Dame has been in 42 bowls (with 21 wins).
*Both schools have produced Heisman Trophy winners (USC has 8 [the most of any college football program], Notre Dame 7). USC's Mike Garrett, O.J. Simpson, Charles White, Marcus Allen, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Caleb Williams and Notre Dame's Angelo Bertelli, John Lujack, Leon Hart, John Lattner, Paul Hornung, John Huarte, Tim Brown.
*Notre Dame has had 203 All-American first teamers, while USC claims 176.
*USC holds the record for most players (6) selected as the top pick of the NFL Draft, while Notre Dame has had 5 players drafted at the No. 1 spot.
*Both schools are well-represented in the various halls of fame: USC has 46 inductees in the College Football Hall of Fame (including 35 players) and Notre Dame has 55 (including 49 players), and in the Pro Football Hall of Fame USC holds 18 members (including a record 14 players) and 14 from Notre Dame (13 players).
*Both programs have had legendary coaches (USC's Gloomy Gus Henderson, Howard Jones, John McKay, John Robinson and Pete Carroll, and Notre Dame's Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy and Ara Parseghian).
MAKING HIS MARK
*Redshirt senior RB Woody Marks continues to prove why he is one of the best and most versatile backs in the nation.
*In USC's 19-13 win over crosstown rival UCLA, Marks tallied 18 carries for 76 yards.
*He currently ranks No. 25 in USC's all-time single-season rushing leaders with 1,100 rushing yards this season.
*Marks is USC's first 1,000 yard rusher since Ronald Jones II rushed for 1,550 yards in 2017.
*Since Reggie Bush and LenDale White were 1,000-yard rushers in 2005, just five USC RBs have been 1,000-yard season rushers: Joe McKnight (2009), Curtis McNeal (2011), Javorius Allen (2014), Ronald Jones II (2016 & 2017) and now Woody Marks.
*Marks, the ultimate playmaker, had 4 catches for 25 yards to extend his streak of consecutive games with at least one catch to 56, which is the longest active streak in the nation.
*He is the first Trojan RB with 40+ catches in a single season since Javorius Allen recorded 41 in 2014. Marks has collected 47 receptions with at least 2 games remaining.
*He is No. 2 in the Power 4 among all positions with 31 explosive runs over the last 10 weeks.
*Marks is averaging 129.18 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks 16th in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten.
*His 1,100 rushing yards are 19th in the nation and No. 3 in the Big Ten, and his rushing yards per game (100.0) ranks 20th in the nation and No. 3 in the Big Ten.
PLAYERS WITH A CATCH IN AT LEAST 25 CONSECUTIVE GAMES
| NAME | POS | SCHOOL | CATCHES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woody Marks | RB | USC | 56 |
| LaJohntay Wester | WR | Colorado | 48 |
| Kyle Williams | WR | Wash. St. | 48 |
| Jaylin Noel | WR | Iowa St. | 43 |
| Brant Kuithe | TE | Utah | 41 |
| Brennan Presley | WR | Ok. St. | 41 |
| JP Richardson | WR | TCU | 38 |
| Andrew Armstrong | WR | Arkansas | 38 |
| Derwin Burgess Jr. | WR | Ga. Southern | 38 |
| Jordan Moore | WR | Duke | 37 |
| Elijah Sarratt | WR | Indiana | 36 |
| Raylen Sharpe | WR | Fresno State | 36 |
| Elijhah Badger | WR | Florida | 36 |
| Emeka Egbuka | WR | Ohio State | 35 |
| Kaedin Robinson | WR | App. State | 34 |
| Joey Hobert | WR | Texas State | 33 |
| Luther Burden III | WR | Ohio State | 33 |
| Money Parks | WR | Utah | 32 |
| Taylor Morin | WR | Wake Forest | 30 |
| Kole Wilson | TE | Texas State | 29 |
| Harold Fannin Jr. | TE | Bowling Green | 29 |
| Kevin Coleman Jr. | WR | Mississippi State | 28 |
| Noah Smith | WR | Sam Houston | 28 |
| Mason Taylor | TE | LSU | 28 |
| Malik Rutherford | WR | Georgia Tech | 27 |
| Tyler Warren | TE | Penn State | 27 |
| Joseph Manjack IV | WR | Houston | 26 |
| Malachi Fields | WR | Virginia | 26 |
| Theo Wease Jr. | WR | Missouri | 25 |
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MARKS
*"He's been consistent, steady, just a tough, physical runner. It's not a shock that the guy plays the way he does every week because he works every day. He's the same guy every day. He comes to compete and so game day is really no different. It's something you just come to expect out of him and he's answered the bell for us all year long."- USC head coach Lincoln Riley.
POWERFUL PUNTING
*P Eddie Czaplicki, a Ray Guy Award semifinalist, is the best punter in the nation.
*Czaplicki averaged 47.0 yards per punt with a long of 52 in USC's 19-16 victory over crosstown rival UCLA.
*Not only were all 3 of his punts inside the 20, they were all inside the 10 -- backing UCLA up to its own 7, 9 and 1-yard line.
*USC ranks first in the nation in net punting (46.24).
*He is first in the nation in percentage of punts inside the 20 for punters with a minimum of 30 attempts.
*9 of his punts have been inside the 10.
*22 of his punts have been inside the 20.
*He has recorded zero touchbacks the entire season.
*He has averaged over 50-yards in 4 games this season (55.3 vs. LSU, 53.1 vs. Michigan, 56.0 vs. Minnesota and 51.8 vs. Nebraska).
*He has been named a Ray's 8 Award recipient three times this season.
*Nineteen of Czaplicki's 36 punts have been over 50 yards (.528), including a season-long of 62 yards against Minnesota.
*He also recorded a career-high single game punting average of 53.1 yards against Michigan, and 22 of his punts have pinned opponents inside the 20.
*He ranks No. 3 in the nation with a 48.8-yard punting average.
*Czaplicki has been instrumental in flipping the field and giving the Trojan defense great field position all season long.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT CZAPLICKI
*"Eddie Czaplicki's punt goes down at the 1-yard line. The best individual season for a USC specialist as far back as I can remember – maybe Tom Malone?" – Antonio Morales, The Athletic
*"Eddie Czaplicki having a great night for his Heisman campaign, pins a 44-yard punt at the UCLA 1. He may be the best college punter I've ever seen." – Ryan Young, TrojanSports.com
*"Eddie Czaplicki might run away with team MVP honors this season. It's not every day that the punter gets a shoutout in the head coach's opening statement, but that's how important Czaplicki has become to USC's whole operation. Each of his four punts resulted in Nebraska starting its drive inside of at least its own 13-yard line. Twice, he pushed Nebraska inside the five. Those four Nebraska drives yielded exactly two (!!!) first downs and 57 yards. Give this kid the Ray Guy Award already." - Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times
*"This dude has been a dawg for us all year and has continued to produce. You talk about a guy whose performance is consistent in and out. This dude is the best in the country at his position. And that's Eddie Czaplicki!" - USC head coach Lincoln Riley
MAIAVA MANIA
*Redshirt sophomore QB Jayden Maiava went 19-for-35 (.543) for 221 yards with 1 TD in USC's victory over UCLA.
*He displayed his elusiveness and his ability to extend plays with his feet after escaping 2 Bruin defenders and launching a dart to WR Ja'Kobi Lane in the end zone to score.
*Per PFF, Maiava recorded 2 Big Time Throws versus UCLA, which ranked second-most among Big Ten QBs in Week 13.
*He is 2-0 at USC's starting QB.
*He is the first Polynesian quarterback to start for USC.
*As a redshirt freshman in 2023, Maiava led UNLV to its most wins since 1984 and a first-ever appearance in the Mountain West Championship.
*He completed 224-of-353 passes (63.5%) for 3,085 yards and 17 TDs with 10 INTs, plus he rushed for 277 yards on 73 carries (3.8 avg.) and scored 3 TDs while seeing action and starting in all 14 games.
*He also recorded 2 tackles. Maiava was named the 2023 Mountain West Freshman of the Year and the 2023 College Football Network Freshman Quarterback of the Year.
*He earned placement on the 2023 All-Mountain West Second Team and the 2023 Phil Steele AllMountain West Second Team.
*He set the Mountain West record for Freshman of the Week honors with 5.
*Maiava redshirted the 2022 season and did not see any action at quarterback.
*He is majoring in Communication at USC.
*While at UNLV, Maiava earned placement on the Fall 2023 Academic All-Mountain West Team.
*His uncle is former Trojan linebacker, Kaluka Maiava (2005-08).
POLYNESIAN TROJANS
*Among the Polynesians who have played at USC: George Achica, Pat Ah-Hing, Al Aliipule, Michael Alo, Charley Ane, Mason Cobb, Martin Coleman, Su'a Cravens, Juliano Falaniko, Josh Falo, Hebron Fangupo, Salo Faraimo, Josh Fatu, Palaie Gaoteote IV, Paul Green, Harold Han, Stanley Havili, Arthur Hemingway, Talanoa Hufanaga, Jordan Iosefa, John Kamana, Kolomona Kapanui, Tayler Katoa, Uona Kaveinga, Gaylord Kuamoo, Chris Limahelu, Tilini Livai, Toa Lobendahn, Karl Lorch, Taitusi Lutui, Malaefou MacKenzie, AJ Mageo, Faaesea Mailo, Kaluka Maiava, Kaulana Makaula, Vavae Malepeai, Alatini Malu, Abe Markowitz, Osa Masina, Fred Matua, Rey Maualuga, Kana'i Mauga, Junior Moi, Johnny Naumu, Sol Naumu, Alani Noa, Tausivi Nomura, Gino Quinones, Kobe Pepe, Brandon Pili, Kennedy Pola, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Troy Polamalu, Junior Pomee, Junior Seau, Jamar Sekona, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Amos Talalele, Viane Talamaivao, Tyrone Taleni, Lofa Tatupu, Mosi Tatupu, Stanley Ta'ufo'ou, J.R. Tavai, Travis Tofi, Jay Toia, Jay Tufele, Maninoa Tufono, Titus Tuiasosopo, Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, Marlon Tuipulotu, Tuli Tuipulotu, Brian Tuliau, Solomon Tuliaupupu, Christian Tupou, Junior Utu, Soma Vainuku, Lenny Vandermade and Simione Vehikite.
PAUL HORNUNG WOULD BE IMPRESSED
*Although, he played at Notre Dame, Paul Hornung would be impressed at the versatility of USC WR Makai Lemon.
*Against UCLA, Lemon recorded 69 receiving yards on 2 receptions.
*He had a beautiful 64-yard reception in the first quarter from QB Jayden Maiava.
*His main offensive highlight came on a trick play. Maiava tossed Lemon a lateral, and Lemon threw a perfect 39-yard rope to WR Kyron Hudson who ran out of bounds at the UCLA 4. USC scored on the next play to take the lead 16-13.
*Lemon's other highlight of the night came on special teams when he had a 41-yard kick return.
*He also downed a punt from USC P Eddie Czaplicki at the UCLA 1-yard line.
DEFENSIVE TURNAROUND
*The USC defense is holding opponents to an average of just 21.2 points per game. In 2023, the USC defense allowed an average of 34.4 points per game.
*USC currently ranks No. 18 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten Conference in third-down conversation percentage defense (0.322), compared to ranking No. 106 in the nation in third-down conversion percentage defense (0.436) in 2023.
*At the end of the 2023 season, USC ranked 116 in total defense (432.8). USC has made a significant improvement and now ranks No. 65 in total defense (365.7).
*USC was No. 116 in rushing defense (186.5), compared to ranking No. 43 (130.1) in 2024.
*The Trojans were No. 118 in scoring defense in 2023 (34.4), and now are No. 32 (21.2).
OLINE PRODUCTION
*Per PFF, OL Emmanuel Pregnon's offensive grade of 83.9 and his run block grade of 88.2 were the best grades of all Power Four guards in week 13, and the fifth-best grades among all Power Four offensive linemen. His run block grade was the best in the Big Ten in week 13.
*Per PFF, OL Alani Noa's run block grade of 84.7 was the seventh-best grade among all Power Four offensive linemen and second-best in the Big Ten (behind Pregnon).
*Per PFF, OL Jonah Monheim's 78.4 run block grade was the best of all Power Four centers in week 13.
*Per PFF, OL Elijah Paige's 91.6 pass block grade ranked No. 1 among all Power Four offensive linemen in week 13.
UCLA GAME RECAP
*It was USC's version of the Michael Jordan "flu game" as the Trojans, overcoming a program-wide flu outbreak, defeated crosstown UCLA 19-13 in the Rose Bowl to bring the Victory Bell home to Troy.
*It was the fifth straight year the road team has won in the series.
*After UCLA scored a FG on its opening possession, the Trojans ended up in the red zone 3 times in the first half, scoring a field goal each time.
*After an on-field scuffle at the end of the first half, UCLA was charged with 3 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties giving USC an opportunity for a short field to open the second half, but the Trojans turned the ball over on downs. UCLA then scored as QB Ethan Garbers hit WR Titus Mokiao-Atimalala on a 10-yard TD pass.
*USC then completely took control of the game in the fourth quarter.
*P Eddie Czaplicki, the nation's best punter, put the Trojan defense in great field position with a perfect 44-yard punt downed at the UCLA 1-yard line. His other 2 punts in the game were also inside the 10, backing UCLA up to its own 7 and 9 yard lines.
*After and 3-and-out by the Bruins, the Trojan offense found a spark. QB Jayden Maiava tossed WR Makai Lemon a lateral, and Lemon threw a perfect 39-yard rope to WR Kyron Hudson who ran out of bounds at the UCLA 4. USC scored on the next play as Maiava dodged one Bruin defender and outran another to launch a perfect throw to WR Ja'Kobi Lane in the back corner of the end zone for USC's only TD of the night to push USC ahead 16-13.
*With 5 minutes left in the game, UCLA needed to convert a fourthand-1 to extend its drive, and the USC front came up with a crucial stop to force a turnover on downs at the UCLA 34. USC scored a field goal on the following drive to extend its lead to 19-13.
*UCLA had another opportunity with 2 minutes left, and USC didn't allow the Bruins to earn a single yard which forced a turnover on downs at fourth-and-10 to seal the victory.
RANKINGS
*USC is not ranked in either poll, but Notre Dame is No. 5 in both the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll.
SERIES
*Notre Dame leads the series with USC, which began in 1926, 51-37- 5 (not including Troy's 2005 victory that was later vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 51-38-5).
*Including that 2005 vacated game, USC has won 12 of the last 21 meetings and 15 of the last 27 (including 8 in a row from 2002 to 2009), but ND has won 8 of the last 12.
*Since 1967, USC has gone 26-26-3 (not including the 2005 vacated game; original record: 27-26-3).
*In Los Angeles games, USC leads 23-20-4 and the Trojans have won 3 out of the last 4 Coliseum matchups.
RIVALRY DOMINATION
*USC has defeated both UCLA and Notre Dame in the same season 21 times, with 11 of those occasions occurring in back-to-back Bruin/Irish games (1938-56-62-64-72-74-76-78-2002-16-22), twice on consecutive Irish/Bruin games (2004-08) and the other 8 times (1967-79- 81-2003- 05-07-09-11) coming when the Irish game was in October and the Bruin contest in November/December (2 of those UCLA wins--2004, 2005-- were later vacated due to NCAA penalty). SHILLELAGH
*The winner of the USC-Notre Dame game gets year-long possession of the jeweled Shillelagh.
*The foot-long shillelagh—a Gaelic war club made of oak or blackthorn saplings from Ireland—has ruby-adorned Trojan heads with the year and game score representing USC victories, while emeraldstudded shamrocks stand for Notre Dame wins. For tie games, a combined Trojan head/shamrock medallion was used.
*The first Shillelagh was retired after the 1989 game when it ran out of space for the medallions and a second one is now in use.
*There are now 51 shamrocks, 38 Trojan heads and 5 combined medallions on the shillelaghs (1 USC win was later vacated due to NCAA penalty).
A WIVES TALE
*If it had not been for the persuasiveness of a young bride in 1925, the Trojan-Irish series may never have been established. The series came about because of a discussion between two wives. USC's graduate manager, Gwynn Wilson was a forerunner to the modern-day athletic director. He and his bride, Marion, got on the Sunset Limited train to Lincoln, Nebraska where Notre Dame was going to play the Cornhuskers. Mission: a USC-Notre Dame home-and-home series. Wilson didn't get to meet with Rockne though, until after the game when they all got on a train to Chicago. "He told me that he couldn't meet USC because Notre Dame was traveling too much," Wilson said. "I thought the whole thing was off but as Rock and I talked, Marion was with Mrs. Rockne, Bonnie, in her compartment. Marion told Bonnie how nice Southern California was and how hospitable the people were." "Well, when Rock went back to the compartment, Bonnie talked him into the game. But if it hadn't been for Mrs. Wilson talking to Mrs. Rockne, there wouldn't have been a series."
THE COMEBACK
*Nov. 30, 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of arguably USC's most famous game – and it just so happened to be a victory over Notre Dame.
*In what is regarded as one of the most dramatic and incredible comebacks in the history of college football, the 1974 Trojans erased a 24-point deficit to beat Notre Dame, 55-24, in the Coliseum. In a December 1998 list by SPORT magazine, the game was ranked as the No. 6 top college football moment of the 20th century.
*USC trailed the Irish, 24-0, late in the first half, and the Trojans' chances looked bleak because Notre Dame sported the nation's top-ranked defense. But with 10 seconds remaining before halftime, Anthony Davis scored on a 7-yard pass from Pat Haden (Troy's extra point kick was blocked) to send the Trojans into the locker room behind 24-6...but with a glimmer of hope.
*Davis took the opening kickoff of the second half and raced 102 yards for a score, opening the floodgates as USC rallied for 35 points in the third quarter. Davis scored 2 more times that quarter, both on short runs, and Haden threw TD passes of 18 and 45 yards to J.K. McKay.
*Then, before 2 minutes had elapsed in the fourth quarter, Haden hit Shelton Diggs for a 16-yard score and Charles Phillips returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown.
*In all, USC blitzed to its 55 points in under 17 minutes.
*"We turned into madmen," was how Davis described the comeback.
*Added receiver J.K. McKay, son of USC coach John McKay, right after the game: "I can't understand it. I'm gonna sit down tonight and have a beer and think about it. Against Notre Dame? Maybe against Kent State...but Notre Dame?"
*The victory propelled USC, which then beat Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, 18-17, to the national championship.
*Interestingly, that Rose Bowl win was dramatic, too. USC trailed, 17-10, with just minutes left. Then Haden teamed with McKay on a 38-yard TD pass with 2:03 to go, and followed that with a 2-point conversion toss to Diggs for the victory.
USC vs. NOTRE DAME FOLLOWING UCLA
*USC is 19-21-4 (.477) versus Notre Dame in games immediately following the UCLA game, including 11-8-2 when USC is coming off a win over UCLA, 8-12-1 when coming off a loss to the Bruins and 0-1-1 coming off a tie.
UNRANKED USC VS. RANKED NOTRE DAME
*Unranked USC teams facing ranked Notre Dame squads are 6-14-2 (wins in 1955-64-70-71-96-98, losses in 1937-41-57-58-61-87-91-93-00-2012-15-18-19-21 and ties in 1936-48).
IN NOVEMBER
*USC has a 272-141-20 (.651) all-time record while playing in the month of November (not including 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 275-141-20, .654).
SUPER BOWL SITES
*Just 3 teams in the nation are scheduled to play at 3 different Super Bowl sites:
*USC – All home games are at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; USC defeated LSU 27-20 at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 1; USC played UCLA at the Rose Bowl on Nov. 23
*Notre Dame – The Irish played Georgia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 19; Notre Dame faced Navy at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 26; The Irish will challenge the Trojans in the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Nov. 30
*Navy – The Midshipmen played Notre Dame at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 26; Navy faced Rice at Rice Stadium on Nov. 2; The Midshipmen challenged South Florida at Raymond James Stadium on Nov. 9.
OLYMPIC RECORD
*USC is 209-75-10 (.728) in seasons that the Summer Olympics have been held (including this season). The Trojans won 4 national titles (1928, 1932, 1972, 2004) and played in 11 bowls (winning 8) during those Olympic seasons. (Does not include 2 wins--including 1 bowl appearance and 1 bowl win-- vacated by NCAA penalty; original record: 211-75-10, .730.)
PRESIDENTIAL RECORD
*USC is 227-75-14 (.741) during presidential election years (including this season). (Does not include 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 228-75-14, .741).
*The Trojans are 133-34-5 (.788) in years when Republicans won the White House and 94-41-9 (.684) when Democrats won. (Does not include 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 134-34-5, .789 with Republicans.)
*USC has won 4 national championships (1928-32-72-2004) during presidential election years.
TV OUTLETS
*USC has appeared live on 35 different television broadcasting outlets. The Trojans have won on the air of all but 3 of those outlets (KTLA, Innovative and a local Memphis station).
*USC has appeared on live national, regional or local telecasts 590 times.
HOME SWEET HOME
*Just 13 players across the nation returned to their previous school after spending one or more seasons at another NCAA institution.
| NAME | SCHOOL | PREVIOUS |
|---|---|---|
| Beau Allen | Kentucky | Ga. Southern & Tarleton State |
| Jori Benson | Utah | UConn |
| Tyler Buchner | Notre Dame | Alabama |
| Vita Calvaruso | Arkansas | Wisconsin |
| Duce Chestnut | Syracuse | LSU |
| Omarion Cooper | Florida State | Colorado |
| Gilber Edmond | South Carolina | Florida State |
| Kyle Ford | USC | UCLA |
| Jam Griffin | Oregon State | Ole Miss |
| Henry Ikahihifo | Nevada | California |
| Lorando Johnson | Baylor | Arkansas |
| Christian Rorie | Duke | Texas State |
| Corey Rucker | Arkansas St. | South Carolina |
USC-NOTRE DAME CONNECTIONS
*USC DE Anthony Lucas and Notre Dame OL Tosh Baker are both from Scottsdale, Ariz.
*USC WR Duce Robinson, USC OL Elijah Paige and Notre Dame OL Tosh Baker prepped at Pinnacle HS.
*USC OL Gino Quinones and Notre Dame DL Jordan Botelho prepped at Saint Louis HS.
*USC DE DJ Peevy and Notre Dame WR Tyler Buchner are from San Diego, Calif.
*USC P Eddie Czaplicki and Notre Dame S Jordan Clark were teammates at Arizona State in 2022.
*USC QB Miller Moss, USC WR Xavier Jordan, USC QB Dylan Gebbia, USC LB Ryan Quintanar and Notre Dame WR Beaux Collins are from Los Angeles, Calif.
*USC CB Marcelles Williams, USC DT Kobe Pepe, Notre Dame LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Notre Dame WR Beaux Collins prepped at St. John Bosco HS.
*USC P Eddie Czaplicki, Notre Dame TE Jack Larsen, Notre Dame DL Bryce Young and Notre Dame WR Micah Gilbert are from Charlotte, N.C.
*USC TE Lake McRee and Notre Dame WR Jaden Greathouse are from Austin, Texas.
*USC LB Elijah Newby and Notre Dame WR Matt Jeffery are from Cheshire, Conn.
*USC WR Duce Robinson, USC OL Elijah Paige and Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison are from Phoenix, Ariz.
*USC OL Kilian O'Connor and Notre Dame DL Grant Ristoff are from Ladera Ranch, Calif.
*USC OL Mason Murphy and Notre Dame DL Grant Ristoff prepped at JSerra Catholic HS.
*USC S Jarvis Boatwright Jr. and Notre Dame DL Sean Sevillano Jr. are both from Clearwater, Fla. and prepped at Clearwater Academy.
*USC LB Desman Stephens II and Notre Dame OL Rocco Spindler are from Clarkston, Mich. and prepped at Clarkston HS.
*USC CB Jaylin Smith, USC QB Miller Moss, USC QB Dylan Gebbia, and Notre Dame DL Junior Tuihalamaka prepped at Bishop Alemany HS.
*USC CB Jacobe Covington, USC SNP Hank Pepper and Notre Dame S Kennedy Urlacher are from Chandler, Ariz. Pepper and Urlacher prepped at Chandler HS.
*Notre Dame running backs coach Deland McCullough previously served as USC's run game coordinator / running backs coach in 2017.
*USC Director of Football Communications Katie Ryan and Notre Dame Senior Defensive Analyst Mike Moon attended high school together at Tesoro HS in Las Flores, Calif.
*USC Assistant Director of Clinical and Sport Psychological Service Dr. Niki Sims served in a similar role at Notre Dame from 2017-20.
*USC Senior Associate Athletic Director Lindsay Jaffe served as assistant athletic director for sport services at Cincinnati while Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman served as defensive coordinator / linebackers coach at Cincinnati from 2019-20.
*USC Senior Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communication and Brand Advancement Cody Worsham served as associate athletic director / chief brand officer at LSU while Offensive Coordinator / Tight Ends Coach Mike Denbrock served in a similar position at LSU from 2022-23.
*USC Senior Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communication and Brand Advancement Cody Worsham served as associate athletic director / chief brand officer at LSU while Associate Athletic Director, Revenue Generation & Fan Experience Kevin Cassidy served as senior director of digital marketing at LSU from 2019-2023.
*Notre Dame rowing Assistant Coach Dori Bene rowed at USC from 2014-19. After her collegiate career, Bene became an assistant coach at USC from 2019-2024.
NOTRE DAME SCOUTING REPORT
*The Fighting Irish beat the undefeated Black Knights 49-14 in Yankee Stadium on Saturday (Nov. 23).
*This marked Notre Dame's nineth straight win after falling to Northern Illinois in September.
*RB Jeremiyah Love ended the day with 130 rushing yards and 2 TDs on just 7 carries (18.6 yards per carry). Love also tallied a 6-yard TD reception.
*Love ranks No. 5 in the nation in rush yards per carry (7.02).
*Notre Dame is ranked No. 11 nationally in rushing offense (221.8) and No. 6 in scoring offense (39.0).
*QB Riley Leonard went 10-of-13 (.769) for 148 yards and 2 TDs and added another 30 yards on the ground before being taken out for backup QB Steve Angeli in the third quarter with the Irish ahead 35-7.
*Notre Dame's top receiver, Beaux Collins, recorded 4 receptions for 37 yards against Army.
*Notre Dame rushed 28 times for 275 yards against Army.
*During its nine-game win streak, the Irish have outscored opponents by a combined score of 392-92.
*The Fighting Irish defense is one of the best in the nation.
*Against Army, 18 different Notre Dame players made at least 2 tackles, with S Adon Shuler (8) and LB Jaiden Ausberry (7) leading the team.
*Notre Dame hasn't given up more than 14 points in a game since a 31-24 win over Louisville at the end of September.
*Notre Dame held Army to just 233 total yards, marking the sixth opponent the defense has held to 250 or less of total offense.
*The Fighting Irish rank No. 1 in team passing efficiency defense (88.27) No. 1 in passing yards allowed (139.5), No. 2 in scoring defense (11.6), No. 4 nationally in total defense (273.1), No. 4 in first downs defense (168) and No. 5 in red zone defense (.708).
*Notre Dame is also No. 1 in the nation in turnovers gained (26), No. 2 in turnover margin (1.45), No 2 in the nation in defensive TDs (4) and No. 3 in fumbles recovered (11).SENIOR DAY
*USC's seniors will be appearing in their final home game in the Coliseum. They will be introduced individually prior to kickoff as they run onto the field through the Heritage Tunnel comprised of former Trojan players.
HEISMAN HOMECOMING
*USC Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams will return to the Coliseum on Saturday for his jersey retirement ceremony.
*He will lead the Trojans out of the tunnel.
*Williams was selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
*With Williams' No. 1 overall selection, USC now holds the record for most players (6) selected as the top pick of the NFL draft. Williams joins Ron Yary (1968), O.J. Simpson (1969), Ricky Bell (1977), Keyshawn Johnson (1996) and Carson Palmer (2003) as No. 1 overall picks to come out of Troy.
*Williams had a record-breaking career while at USC. He leaves Troy holding the USC single- season record for total offense (4,919 yards), most touchdowns scored rushing and passing (52), passing completions (333), passes attempted (500), most passing yards gained (4,537), most touchdown passes thrown (42), most rushing and passing plays (613), lowest rate of interceptions (1%, 5 in 500 attempts) and highest passing efficiency rating (168.5). He is tied for the USC singleseason record for most consecutive 5-touchdown pass games with 2 (tied with Sam Darnold in 2016 and Kedon Slovis in 2020). He holds the USC single-game record for most yards running and passing (503 vs. UCLA in 2022). His 382 rushing yards in 2022 were the most by a Trojan quarterback in the last 70 years when complete records were first available. He leaves USC fifth on USC's career total offense leaderboard (8,688 yards) and eighth on career passing (599 completions). In 2023, Williams led Riley's high-powered brand of offense, resulting in USC ranking No. 3 in the nation in scoring offense (41.8), No. 3 in team passing efficiency (170.88), No. 5 in passing offense (333.0) and No. 10 in total offense (467.6). Williams ranked in the national Top 20 in points responsible for per game, points responsible for, passing efficiency, passing yards per game, passing touchdowns, yards per pass attempt, total offense, passing yards, completion percentage, passing yards per completion and completions per game. He went 266-for-388 (.686) for 3,633 yards and 30 TDs with just 5 INTs. Williams also rushed for 121 yards on 99 carries (1.2 avg.) with 11 TDs. He accounted for 41 total TDs (both passing and running) in 12 games. He also tallied 1 reception for 15 yards.
*After transferring from Oklahoma in the spring of 2022, Williams was instrumental in successfully turning around a program that went 4-8 in the 2021 season to an 11-3 team in 2022. The 7-victory increase from 2021 matches the biggest one-season turnaround in USC history. The other 7-game improvement was when the 1962 National Champion Trojans won 11 games after winning only 4 in the 1962 season.
*Williams had a historic 2022 season as the starting quarterback at USC which culminated in him being named the 88th recipient of the Heisman Trophy. He is USC's eighth winner of college football's most prestigious award. Williams joined an impressive fraternity of Trojan greats who have earned his award before him: Mike Garrett (1965), O.J. Simpson (1968), Charles White (1979), Marcus Allen (1981), Carson Palmer (2002), Matt Leinart (2004) and Reggie Bush (2005). He was named the 2022 Walter Camp Player of the Year (joining 5 other Trojans to have been so honored, Simpson in 1967 and 1968, White in 1979, Allen in 1981, Leinart in 2004 and Bush in 2005).
*He was also named the 2022 AP Player of the Year (joining Leinart in 2004 and Bush in 2005). He won the 2022 Maxwell Award, presented to the best player in college football (joining Simpson in 1968, White in 1979 and Allen in 1981). He was named the 2022 Sporting News College Football Player of the Year (joining Simpson 1968, White, 1979, Allen 1981, Palmer, 2002 and Bush 2005). He was also named the 2022 CBS Sports Player of the Year, the 2022 Action Sports Player of the Year, the 2022 CFPA National Performer of the Year and the 2022 DC Touchdown Club Player of the Year. He was a Unanimous All-American being selected to the First Team for AP, Football Coaches, Football Writers, Walter Camp and Sporting News. He was selected as the 2022 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and was named to the 2022 All-Pac-12 First Team, the AP All-Pac-12 First Team and the Phil Steele AllPac-12 First Team. Overall in 2022, he completed 333-of-500 passes (.666) for 4,537 yards and 42 TDs with just 5 INTs, plus he rushed for 382 yards on 113 carries (3.4 avg.) with 10 TDs. He also recorded 2 punts for 84 yards (42.0 avg.) with a long of 58 yards. He was first nationally in passing TDs (42, first in Pac-12) and points responsible for per game (22.3, first in Pac-12). He was third nationally in passing yards (4.537) and fourth nationally in passing yards per game (324.1). He was fifth nationally in passing efficiency (168.5, first in Pac-12) and total offense (351.4). He was seventh nationally in yards per pass attempt (9.07, first in Pac-12).
*He dazzled the nation with his elusive moves, powerful arm and thrilling runs. Throughout his USC career, he recorded 72 TDs and only 10 INTs. He went 599-for-888 (.675) for 8,170 yards. Williams also rushed for 503 yards on 212 carries (2.8 avg.) with 21 TDs. He accounted for 93 total TDs (both passing and running) in 26 games as a Trojan.
