No. 21 Notre Dame dominated No. 10 USC 48-20 at home to hand the Trojans their first loss of the season. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams threw a career-worst three interceptions, all of which which led to three decisive Notre Dame touchdowns on short fields.
While the Fighting Irish scored 48 points, it was the defense and special teams that stole the show in the win. Three of Notre Dame’s touchdowns came on drives that traveled just 62 yards as a result of Williams’ costly interceptions. Another came on a kickoff return for a touchdown, while the Irish found the end zone late on a scoop-and-score.
Linebacker JD Bertrand posted 1.5 tackles for loss in the win, but no other Fighting Irish player posted more than one sack or tackle for loss. Six different players were credited with at least half a sack, while 11 earned a tackle for loss. Safety Xavier Watts had a pair of interceptions off Williams to set up the touchdown drives along with the scoop-and-score.
USC has been living on borrowed time all season. The Trojans narrowly survived a triple-overtime game against Arizona one week ago in a 43-41 decision. One week earlier, Colorado nearly came all the way back in a 48-41 win for USC. On this night, however, Notre Dame’s defense was simply too physical to overcome for USC’s struggling offensive line.
Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman only threw the ball 20 times, finishing with 126 yards and two touchdowns in the win with the highlight being a 46-yard touchdown toss to receiver Chris Tyree. Running back Audric Estime added 83 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Williams posted just 199 yards and one touchdown with the three interceptions. It’s been more than a calendar year since Williams had thrown for fewer than 200 yards in a game.
1. Notre Dame’s trenches are fearsome
Football is always decided in the trenches, and that was especially evident in this game. Notre Dame sacked Caleb Williams six times, held USC to 2.8 yards per carry and was credited with 11 tackles for loss. On the other side, Notre Dame’s star-studded offensive line held USC to just one tackle for loss, averaged 4.3 yards per carry and did not allow a sack.
Williams is one of the most brilliant players in college football history, but the Irish got in his face with relative ease and forced him into bad decisions. The interceptions and fumble were caused by pressure on the front end.
There are still pieces of Notre Dame’s roster that have to get worked out. The offensive output was lackluster against a porous USC defense and, at times, the offensive playcalling appears hesitant to embrace their talent quarterback. Regardless, the advantage in the trenches gives Notre Dame a trump card from the start.
2. USC’s line play is not
USC criticism has largely focused on the defense, and for good reason. However, Saturday marked a breaking point for a USC offensive line that has flown under the radar as one of the worst units on the team. Williams was under duress every single snap and the running game showed little fire.
One of the biggest red flags is the way USC’s roster loses focus when things go wrong. The final scoop-and-score touchdown was the perfect example as USC offensive players barely responded when Mario Williams dropped the ball. Championship teams show focus every single play, but USC has been emotionally volatile over Riley’s first two seasons.
3. Offense needs to step back up
It sounds silly to say after a 48-20 win, but Notre Dame needs more from its offense over the final stretch of the season. Hartman threw for just 126 yards in the win and only one receiver finished with more than 24 yards. Star freshman Jaden Greathouse didn’t catch a pass.
Irish coach Marcus Freeman wants to control games, but offensive coordinator Gerad Parker needs to open the playbook and let his quarterback cook. Hartman threw for 13 touchdowns in nonconference play but is under 7.0 yards per pass attempt over his last four games. There’s meat left on the bone there.
4. What’s on the table?
Notre Dame has to be kicking itself for losing to Louisville, especially as the Cardinals suffered a massive loss to Pitt on Saturday. The second loss will likely keep Notre Dame out of serious College Football Playoff contention, which only gets more painful when remembering the close nature of its loss to Ohio State. However, a New Year’s Six bowl is on the table if Notre Dame can beat Clemson for the second year in a row.
For USC, the path is open but tricky. The Trojans play five teams ranked in the top 18 of the AP Top 25 over their next six games. Utah and Oregon, especially, should take delight in physically bludgeoning the undermanned USC lines. Offensive line coach Josh Henson is well regarded, but can he fix this unit in a week?
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The post Notre Dame vs. USC score, takeaways: Irish defense dismantles Trojans, Caleb Williams in bounce-back win appeared first on Al Jazeera News Today.
