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Caleb Williams has his worst performance as a Trojan in USC’s loss to Notre Dame
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — One was unlucky. Two were unlikely. Three interceptions were unbelievable.
Caleb Williams played his worst game as a Trojan on the biggest stage so far this year, throwing three interceptions and just one touchdown pass while limited to 199 yards on 23-for-37 passing as No. 10 USC lost its first game, a 48-20 rivalry defeat at No. 21 Notre Dame on Saturday. Along with giving up defensive and special teams touchdowns, the No. 10 Trojans (6-1) had their second-lowest scoring performance of the Lincoln Riley era, trailing only a 17-point stinker at Oregon State last year.
Williams ruthlessly picked apart the Fighting Irish (6-2) last year, accounting for as many touchdowns (four) as he threw incompletions in a late-season exclamation point to his Heisman campaign.
Notre Dame runs out the clock
No. 21 Notre Dame 48, No. 10 USC 20, end of fourth quarter
USC started at its 25, with Miller Moss taking over for Caleb Williams at quarterback.
Quinten Joyner rushed for 10 yards.
Joyner rushed for one yard before fumbling and Notre Dame recovered.
Notre Dame took over at the USC 36 with 2:56 left in the game.
Estime rushed for three yards and then added nine yards.
On first down at the USC 26, the Irish took a knee and proceeded to run out the clock.
Notre Dame forces fumble and runs it back for a score
No. 21 Notre Dame 48, No. 10 USC 20, 3:27 left in fourth quarter
Zachariah Branch returns the kickoff to the USC 17.
Caleb Williams passed to Mario Williams, but Xavier Watts punched the ball loose, recovered it and ran it back for a touchdown.
Notre Dame hit the extra point as fans roared at Notre Dame Stadium.
Notre Dame hits field goal to build lead
No. 21 Notre Dame 41, No. 10 USC 20, 3:40 left in fourth quarter
Notre Dame starts on its 14-yard line after USC failed to convert on fourth down.
On first down, Audric Estime rushed for seven yards.
On second-and-three, Estime rushes for one yard.
USC called timeout.
On third-and-two, Estime rushed for one yard.
Spencer Shrader then hit a field goal to extend Notre Dame’s lead.
USC goes for it on fourth down deep in its territory and can’t convert
No. 21 Notre Dame 38, No. 10 USC 20, 4:49 left in fourth quarter
USC starts on its 10 after a holding penalty on the kickoff return.
On first down, MarShawn Lloyd ran for a loss of one yard.
On second-and-11, USC was called for false start.
On second-and-15 at the USC five, Caleb Williams ran the ball six yards to the 11-yard line.
On third-and-nine, Williams passed to Michael Jackson III for 10 yards.
On first down, Williams evaded two sacks and slide for a loss of two yards.
On second-and-12, Williams’ pass to Tahj Washington hit the turf short of the receiver and was incomplete.
On third-and-12, USC was called for false start and a five yard loss.
On third-and-17, Williams passed to Jackson for eight yards.
USC lined up to go for it on fourth-and-nine with 4:54 left in the game and Notre Dame called timeout.
Notre Dame brought pressure and wrapped up Williams, who tried to dump the ball but the refs called the play dead at the USC 14.
Notre Dame returns kickoff for a touchdown
No. 21 Notre Dame 38, No. 10 USC 20, 8:50 left in fourth quarter
Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price returned a kickoff 99 yards for touchdown, immediately countering USC’s push to carve into the Irish lead.
With the extra point, Notre Dame reclaimed momentum.
USC trims Notre Dame lead after Zachariah Branch return
No. 21 Notre Dame 31, No. 10 USC 20, 9:04 left in fourth quarter
USC started at Notre Dame’s 18 thanks to Zachariah Branch’s 60-yard punt return.
Austin Jones ran for one yard on first down and seven yards on second down.
On third-and-two, Jones ran for three yards.
On first-and-goal athte Irish seven, Williams faked the handoff and passed Brenden Rice, but the play was broken up by Notre Dame.
On second-and-goal, Williams scrambled, seemed to be taking off for a long run and he passed to Rice, who was tackled after barely crossing into the end zone.
USC hit the extra point to trim Notre Dame’s lead.
USC defense gets a stop and Zachariah Branch follows it with huge return
No. 21 Notre Dame 31, No. 10 USC 13, 11:13 left in fourth quarter
Notre Dame opened the fourth quarter facing second-and-six on its 21-yard line.
Audric Estime rushed for one yard.
On third-and-five, Sam Hartman passed to Holden Staes for seven yards to the Notre Dame 33.
On first down, Estime rushed for one yard.
On second-and-nine, Hartman passed for no gain.
On third-and-nine, Hartman’s pass was broken up.
Notre Dame punted, Zachariah Branch ran laterally to avoid Irish pressure before diving up the field toward the left sideline. He was finally tackled at the Irish 18 after 60-yard return.
Caleb Williams sacked twice to end USC’s latest drive
No. 21 Notre Dame 31, No. 10 USC 13, end of third quarter
USC will start at its 25 after the kickoff wasn’t returned.
Caleb Williams passed to Tahj Washington for a gain of 13 yards.
On first down, Williams’ pass intended for Zachariah Branch was broken up.
On second-and-10, Williams, MarShawn Lloyd ran for third yards.
On third-and-seven, USC lined up and Notre Dame called timeout.
Williams got protection and passed to Michael Jackson III for 10 yards.
On first down, the pocket collapsed quickly and Williams was sacked for a loss of eight yards.
On second-and-18, Williams spun around under pressure and fell for a loss of 10 yards.
On third-and-28, Williams passed to Jackson for a gain of 10 yards.
USC was forced to punt on fourth-and-18 at its 34.
A flag was thrown as the USC punter connected with the ball. The Trojans were called for false start, a five-yard penalty.
The ball went out of bounds on the punt inside the Notre Dame 10.
Notre Dame took over on its seven-yard line.
Audric Estime ran for 14 yards to the Notre Dame 21 and time expired in the third quarter.
Notre Dame counters USC score with long touchdown pass
No. 21 Notre Dame 31, No. 10 USC 13, 3:54 left in third quarter
Notre Dame starts on its 32 after a short kickoff return.
Audric Estime ran for seven yards and then four yards for a first down.
Estime ran again three yards before Sam Hartman passed to Mitchell Evans for an eight-yard gain.
On first down at the USC 46, Estime ran for no gain.
On second-and-10, Hartman went deep to Chris Tyree for a 46-yard touchdown.
With the extra point, Notre Dame answered the USC third-quarter score.
MarShawn Lloyd scores touchdown off option pitch
No. 21 Notre Dame 24, No. 10 USC 13, 7:20 left in third quarter
USC starts on its 43-yard line thanks to a strong Zachariah Branch punt return.
Caleb Williams had a lot of time and completed a pass Tahj Washington, but Mario Williams was called for offensive pass interference and the Trojans lost 15 yards.
On first-and-25, Caleb Williams felt a bit more pressure and went deep to Brenden Rice. This time, Notre Dame was called for pass interference for a loss of 15 yards a USC first down.
On first down at the USC 48, the Irish tossed a reverse toe Branch, who fought to evade tackles and get back to the line of scrimmage.
On second-and-10, Williams passed to Dorian Singer for an 11-yard gain to the Notre Dame 46.
On first down, protection collapsed and Williams was sacked for a loss of 10 yards.
On second-and-20, Williams passed to Lake McRee for a gain of 21.
On first down, Williams rushed for four yards to the Notre Dame 31.
On second-and-six, Williams faked a handoff and then tossed an option pitch to MarShawn Lloyd for a 31-yard touchdown up the left side.
USC hit the extra point to trim Notre Dame’s lead.
USC defense forces a quick punt
No. 21 Notre Dame 24, No. 10 USC 6, 10:53 left in third quarter
Notre Dame starts on its 25-yard line.
Jordan Faison rushed for one yard.
On second-and-nine, Jeremiyah Love rushed for four yards.
On third-and-five, Sam Hartman passed to Devyn Ford for a one-yard gain. Calen Bullock made the tackle for USC and would have had no support behind him if he failed to wrap up Ford.
Notre Dame punted and Zachariah Branch returned it 21 yards to the USC 43.
Caleb Williams nearly tosses fourth interception and USC punts
No. 21 Notre Dame 24, No. 10 USC 6, 13:01 left in third quarter
USC started on its 30.
Caleb Williams’ pass to Brenden Rice was incomplete.
Williams’ next pass to Mario Williams was picked up quickly by the Irish defense and he was dropped for a loss of four yards.
On third-and-14, Williams evaded pressure and Notre Dame nearly intercepted Caleb Williams pass intended for MarShawn Lloyd across the middle, but it fell incomplete.
USC punted and Notre Dame returned it two yards to its 25-yard line.
USC defense opens third quarter with a stop
No. 21 Notre Dame 24, No. 10 USC 6, 13:54 left in third quarter
Notre Dame starts at its 22-yard line.
Sam Hartman’s pass to Mitchell Evans was contested and fell incomplete.
After a Notre Dame player was treated for an injury, Hartman passed to Holden Staes for a third-yard gain.
On third-and-seven, Hartman’s pass was high and tipped by Holden’s hands, sailing out of bounds incomplete.
Zachariah Branch recovered a muffed punt and USC will start at its 30.
Notre Dame receives opening kickoff of third quarter
No. 21 Notre Dame 24, No. 10 USC 6, start of third quarter
Notre Dame returned the opening kickoff 17 yards to the Irish 22.
USC scrambles for a field goal before second quarter ends
No. 21 Notre Dame 24, No. 10 USC 6, end of second quarter
USC started on its 25-yard line.
Caleb Williams passed to Tahj Washington across the middle for nine yards.
Williams passed to Mario Williams for a 20-yard gain.
Caleb Williams rushed for three yards to the 43-yard line and USC called timeout.
On second-and-seven at the Notre Dame 43, Williams handed off to MarShawn Lloyd for a gain of four yards and USC called timeout.
Williams passed to Washington for a gain of 14 yards to the Notre Dame 25.
Williams’ next pass was incomplete and out of bounds as he avoided pressure.
On second-and-10, Notre Dame stripped the ball from Williams as he was sacked and he recovered the ball as the game clock was winding down.
USC tried to spike the ball as Notre Dame players were offsides while celebrating the sack, but the Irish coach Marcus Freeman managed to call timeout.
Denis Lynch then lined up and hit a 48-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter.
Caleb Williams tosses third interception and Irish build commanding lead
No. 21 Notre Dame 24, No. 10 USC 3, 1:30 left in second quarter
After the touchback, USC starts at its 25.
Caleb Williams’ pass deep to Tahj Washington was just past the receiver, who was covered, and it fell incomplete.
On second-and-10, Caleb Williams passed to Mario Williams for a 10-yard gain.
On first down, Caleb Williams faked the handoff and tossed the ball out of bounds rather than challenging encroaching defenders.
On second down, Williams narrowly evaded a sack, then pushed the ball up field. His pass was nowhere near his potential receivers and Benjamin Morrison easily intercepted the ball at the 50-yard line with no return.
Sam Hartman passed to Rico Flores Jr. for a 24-yard gain.
Hartman then ran for 12 yards to the USC 14.
On first down, Audric Estime rushed for five yards to the USC 9.
On second-and-five, Estime then weaved through USC’s defense and was stopped at the one-yard line.
USC called timeout.
On first-and-goal at the USC 1, Estime ran for a one-yard touchdown and the Irish hit the extra point.
Caleb Williams’ second interception sets up Notre Dame touchdown
No. 21 Notre Dame 17, No. 10 USC 3, 4:14 left in second quarter
USC opens on its six-yard line after the punt return penalty.
Caleb Williams faked a handoff and passed to Brenden Rice, who dropped the screen pass that would have gone for a first down.
On second-and-10, Williams flipped the ball to Zachariah Branch, who cut and gained 10 yards.
On first downs, Williams side-stepped pressure, the ball got tipped at the line and it sailed toward Notre Dame players. Xavier Watts picked up off Williams’ pass and returned it to the 2-yard line.
Audric Estime then rushed up the middle for a two-yard touchdown and Notre Dame hit the extra point to build on its lead.
USC defense gets a quick stop
No. 21 Notre Dame 10, No. 10 USC 3, 5:07 left in second quarter
Notre Dame starts with its ball on its 33.
Audric Estime ran for four yards on first down.
On second-and-six, Sam Hartman’s deep pass was incomplete.
On third-and-six, Hartman’s pass to Mitchell Evans was batted away by Christian Rolland-Wallace.
Zachariah Branch returned Notre Dame’s punt for a short gain and a penalty flag was thrown for USC holding, pinning the Trojans deep in their territory.
Long USC drive ends when Trojans can’t convert on fourth down
No. 21 Notre Dame 10, No. 10 USC 3, 6:05 left in second quarter
USC starts at its 25-yard line after the touchback.
On first down, Tahj Washington rushed for 10 yards on a reverse.
On first down, Austin Jones ran up the middle for six yards.
On second-and-four, Jones was dropped for a one-yard loss.
On third-and-five, Williams passed to Mario Williams for a five-yard gain that moved the ball to the USC 45.
On first down, Caleb Williams’ complete pass was erased by an ineligible receiver penalty for USC and too many men on the field for Notre Dame.
On first down, Williams looked deep along the left sideline to Brenden Rice, but it was too far out of bounds and fell incomplete.
On second down, MarShawn Lloyd avoided a tackle for a loss and gained seven yards.
On third-and-three, Lloyd was dropped for a loss of three to the USC 49.
USC punted to the Irish 14, but Notre Dame was called for running into the punter.
It brought up fourth-and-one and USC opted to go for it.
Williams faked a handoff and scrambled out to the right side for a eight yards to the Notre Dame 38.
Williams tried to thread a pass into traffic to Tahj Washington and it fell incomplete after Washington couldn’t wrap up the ball.
On second-and-10, Williams faked a handoff and ran in for a touchdown but there was a flag on the play. USC’s offensive line was called for holding.
On second-and-20, Zachariah Branch rushed for 17 yards to the Notre Dame 31.
On third-and-three, Williams handed off to Jones for a two-yard gain.
On fourth-and-one, USC went for it again.
Notre Dame’s defensive line below past the Trojans’ line and met Williams as he was handing the ball off, dropping Jones for a loss of four yards.
The Irish take over at their 33-yard line.
USC defense limits driving Notre Dame to a field goal
No. 21 Notre Dame 10, No. 10 USC 3, 12:19 left in second quarter
Notre Dame faced third-and-four on the Irish 42.
Sam Hartman tossed a screen pass to Chris Tyree, who found space and gained 16 yards up the middle.
On first down at the USC 42, Notre Dame ran a reverse and Jordan Faison rushed for 16 yards.
On first down at the USC 26, Jeremiyah Love rushed for three yards.
On second down, Hartman’s pass to Tyree was incomplete.
On third-and-seven, Hartman passed to Mitchell Evans for for five yards to the USC 18.
Hartman wanted to go for it, but Spencer Shrader hit a 36-yard field goal to extend the Irish lead.
Irish close first quarter with ball in their territory
No. 21 Notre Dame 7, No. 10 USC 3, end of first quarter
Notre Dame returned the kickoff to its 36-yard line.
Jeremiyah Love rushed for one yard.
On second-and-nine, Sam Hartman passed to Jordan Faison for a seven-yard gain before time expired at the end of the first quarter.
USC found its footing after Williams’ interception, but the Irish picked up a loss on defense. Defensive back Max Williams was hurt during the Irish’ second drive that resulted in a punt. After extended time in the injury tent, he was holding back tears while he was assisted walking to the locker room.
USC field goal trims Notre Dame lead
No. 21 Notre Dame 7, No. 10 USC 3, 1:13 left in first quarter
USC starts at its 33-yard line.
Caleb Williams got good pass protection, but saw no one open and took off running. Williams scrambled out of bounds after a 11-yard gain and the Irish defense was called for holding, moving the ball forward another 10 yards for the Trojans.
Austin Jones ran for one yard to the Notre Dame 45 on the next play.
On second-and-nine, Williams passed to Corey Singer across the middle for an 11-yard gain.
On first down, Jones ran for three yards to the Irish 31.
On second-and-seven. Williams passed to Zachariah Branch for a 7-yard gain and first down on the Notre Dame 24.
On first down, Williams passed to Singer, who was called for offensive pass interference. It pushed USC back 15 yards.
On first-and-25, Williams passed to Michael Jackson III for a 12-yard gain.
Notre Dame was called for a personal foul — hands to the face — and the ball was moved half the distance to the goal.
On first down at the Irish 13, Williams passed to MarShawn Lloyd for a gain of one yard.
Williams then handed off to Lloyd for a gain of three.
On third-and-six, Williams passed to Jackson, who was immediately hit at the Irish 11.
Denis Lynch hit the 25-yard field goal to trim Notre Dame’s lead.
USC defense earns its first stop
No. 21 Notre Dame 7, No. 10 USC 0, 6:38 left in first quarter
Notre Dame started at its 14-yard line.
Audric Estime ran for 11 yards to the Irish 25.
Sam Hartman then passed to Estime for a four-yard gain.
On second-and-6, USC’s defense stopped Estime after a one-yard gain.
On third-and-five, Hartman’s pass across the middle to Rico Flores Jr. flew through his hands and Flores was immediately hit cleanly.
Notre Dame punted and the ball was downed at the USC 33.
Notre Dame forces USC to punt
No. 21 Notre Dame 7, No. 10 USC 0, 8:46 left in first quarter
USC started on its 24-yard line.
Austin Jones ran for five yards. Caleb Williams’ next pass fell incomplete, but Notre Dame was called for holding, moving the ball to the Trojans’ 34.
Williams ran for four yards. USC’s center Justin Dedich was called for false start, costing USC five yards. Jones ran for three yards on second-and-11 and Williams passed under pressure to Tahj Washington for five yards on third-and-eight.
USC punted and the ball was downed at the Notre Dame 14-yard line.
Irish turn Caleb Williams interception into points
No. 21 Notre Dame 7, No. 10 USC 0, 11:30 left in first quarter
MarShawn Lloyd ran for one yard and Caleb Williams avoided a loss scrambling out of the pocket to set up second-and-nine at the USC 26.
Williams passed to Brenden Rice for an 11-yard gain.
On the next play, Williams tried to avoid pressure and quickly tossed a pass that sailed high. Jarrett Kingston easily intercepted and ran it back to the USC 12-yard line.
Audric Estime ran for six yards on one carry and two yards on the next before Sam Hartman passed to Gi’Bran Payne for a 4-yard touchdown. The Irish hit the extra point to take the early lead.
And we’re off ...
No. 10 USC 0, No. 21 Notre Dame 0, start of first quarter
USC receives the opening kickoff and the game is under way.
USC football hears the critics. Lincoln Riley offers an emphatic response
Lincoln Riley shook his head, shrugged his shoulders and offered a tight smile.
“How long do you got?” the USC coach responded when faced with yet another question about his defense.
After the team’s Heisman-winning quarterback provided unprompted, emphatic support of USC’s embattled defense last weekend, the coach provided his own Tuesday, saying the outside perception of the Alex Grinch-led unit fails to see the whole picture of an improving group that has come up with key plays.
Zachariah Branch warms up before Notre Dame game
Freshman receiver Zachariah Branch appears ready to make his return after missing the past two games with an undisclosed injury. He was not a full participant during practice this week, coach Lincoln Riley said Thursday, but Branch warmed up in pads with teammates in Notre Dame Stadium ahead of USC’s rivalry game.
Cornerback Domani Jackson, who missed last week’s game, is also warming up normally along with cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace, who missed most of the second half last week. Jacobe Covington, who started last week and got an interception during USC’s comeback against Arizona, is not dressed for the game.
USC’s offensive line still ‘a work in progress’ as Trojans’ schedule stiffens
When USC set out to rebuild its offensive line in the offseason, the hope was three transfers, with more talent and plenty of experience at their disposal, would seamlessly plug in to a front that had previously been blessed by unusual continuity.
Through six weeks, it hasn’t been as seamless as USC might have hoped. USC offensive line coach Josh Henson, said this week the line was “a work in progress.” Justin Dedich, USC’s fifth-year center and captain, agreed that the revamped group hasn’t meshed “at the same pace it was last year.”
“Not saying it’s good or bad,” Dedich said, “just different.”
Neither expressed any overarching concerns about the pace of the offensive line’s progress, and coach Lincoln Riley echoed their patience on Thursday. But as USC enters a punishing portion of its schedule, with a physical Notre Dame front on deck Saturday, it’ll need proper protection to keep its offense thriving and its Heisman-winning quarterback upright.
‘I don’t want to have regrets.’ USC’s Lincoln Riley tries to balance family and football
On the night of his 40th birthday, Lincoln Riley left his USC office late, as he does most Tuesday nights during football season. By the time he reached his Palos Verdes home, he was ready to turn in early.
The coach’s birthday always came at an inopportune time — Sept. 5, just as football season was in full swing. There wasn’t much his family could do to celebrate with his schedule, so Riley had gotten used to low-key birthdays.
He didn’t expect anything different last month when he turned 40.
The past two years left Riley thinking more about life and what was important. So much had changed for his family since November 2021, when the Rileys left Oklahoma, enraging an entire state in the process. They loved their new world at USC, where his Trojans are preparing for a major litmus test Saturday in South Bend, Ind. The Southland afforded them relative anonymity, but “the transition from Oklahoma wasn’t as easy, I think, as we’d hoped it would be,” says Clarke Stroud, USC’s director of football operations and a close friend of Riley’s.
Roundtable: What does USC have to do to beat Notre Dame?
How concerned should USC be about its defense and are there any quick fixes available?
Ryan Kartje: Lincoln Riley has done his best to project confidence about where USC’s defense is headed, but nothing about the last three games suggests the Trojans will be fine going forward. Three of the six teams USC faced so far rank among the lowest-scoring groups in college football. We have yet to see the Trojans face an explosive offense, and yet they’ve still coughed up 421 yards per game, among the bottom 25 nationally. The best quarterback USC has faced so far might honestly be Arizona’s Noah Fifita, who torched the secondary for 303 yards and five touchdowns on Saturday night.
USC vs. Notre Dame: Trojans prepare for a wet, bruising game day
The artificial crowd noise was turned all the way up. With rainy weather in the forecast for Saturday, staff members chased players and sprayed them with water. When safety Max Williams caught the ball, water droplets splashed in his face.
Yes, it feels like Notre Dame rivalry week.
“Growing up, being a USC fan and dreaming about coming to USC, you always dreamed about playing in USC-Notre Dame game,” said Williams, a former star at Gardena Serra, “and especially playing at South Bend is a dream.”
Notre Dame Stadium has been closer to a nightmare for USC recently. The Trojans (6-0) haven’t knocked off their rivals on the road since 2011, but ended a four-game losing streak in the series last year.