Notre Dame Football Defeats USC, Finishes 11-1

Notre Dame secured a thrilling 49-35 victory over USC, marking their 10th consecutive win and concluding the regular season with an 11-1 record, positioning them favorably for a College Football Playoff berth. The game featured a high-scoring exchange, with the Irish taking control in the third quarter and showcasing a strong defensive performance, including two interception returns for touchdowns by Christian Gray and Xavier Watts. In contrast, the Trojans finished their season at 6-6, marking a disappointing first year in the Big Ten. Despite the loss, USC's defense showed improvement throughout the season, climbing in national rankings under D’Anton Lynn. The matchup served as a significant test for both teams, with Notre Dame aiming to replicate past playoff success while USC focused on rebuilding. As the Irish await their playoff seeding, the USC Trojans are now left to regroup and solidify their recruiting efforts ahead of the early signing period.