In a highly anticipated matchup, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish delivered a stunning upset against the No. 8 ranked USC Trojans, winning 38-27 at Notre Dame Stadium. The game featured two key pick-six interceptions that turned the tide for Notre Dame. In the first quarter, Notre Dame’s defense showcased their strength when defensive back Benjamin Morrison intercepted a pass from USC quarterback Caleb Williams and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown. This put the Irish up 7-0 early in the game.
USC attempted to respond, and Caleb Williams managed to throw for a touchdown to his receiver Mario Williams, bringing the score to 14-10 before halftime. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter when Morrison struck again, intercepting Williams once more and returning it 50 yards for another touchdown. This electrifying play extended the lead to 28-10.
Despite being down, USC fought back, with Williams finding Williams for another score, narrowing the gap to 28-24. In the closing minutes, Notre Dame’s running back Audric Estime sealed the victory with an 18-yard touchdown run, bringing the final score to 38-27. After the game, fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman praised his team’s effort and resilience, stating, ‘It was a complete team effort, and our defense really stepped up at crucial moments.’
With this victory, Notre Dame improves to 10-1 on the season, effectively positioning themselves as serious contenders for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, USC, now holding an 8-3 record, will need to regroup and refocus for their upcoming games as they strive to keep their championship hopes alive.
