Notre Dame capped off a powerful 11-1 common season with a 49-35 victory over rivals USC. This sport added one other nice chapter to the historic rivalry between the 2 faculties. Once you consider well-known rivalries in school soccer, you imminently consider Ohio State-Michigan, Alabama-Auburn, or Military-Navy. Nonetheless, Notre Dame-USC is correct up there with these three. Seeing Xavier Watts stare down the USC sideline whereas operating pack a 100-yard pick-six confirmed the hatred between the 2 sides.
This win additionally clinched a playoff beginning for the Irish in addition to a house sport. Ever because the new playoff format was launched, Irish followers have been hoping to host a playoff sport at Notre Dame Stadium. Though the aim is at all times to win the nationwide championship, many followers and alumni wished a house playoff sport. A dream that appeared useless after NIU.
Though embarrassing, you may make the argument that the loss to NIU was the most effective factor to occur. Assume again to the Texas A&M sport. Though the best-looking win on paper, it wasn’t a robust exhibiting from the Irish. They left rather a lot to be desired even with the win vs a Prime 25 opponent. The embarrassment of NIU lit a hearth below this group and propelled them to dominate week in and week out. It’s potential they don’t look this good with out that loss. Listed here are the main takeaways.
Notre Dame Offense Holds Their Personal in Shootout
All season, the id of this Notre Dame group has been this protection. They got here into the season with excessive expectations and but they’ve nonetheless performed above expectations. With underwhelming performances from the offense, the protection was at all times one thing Notre Dame might depend on. But, on Saturday, the protection put of their worst statistical efficiency of the season. They gave up a season-high 35 factors in addition to season-highs in passing and speeding yards allowed.
Nonetheless, the offense picked up the protection for the primary time this season. For almost all of the second and third quarters, this sport was a shootout. Every group took turns driving down the sphere and scoring, which is each Notre Dame fan’s worst nightmare. Though the offense has made huge enhancements, many nonetheless weren’t positive in the event that they have been adequate to win a sport by themselves.
However, with what this offense was in a position to do on Saturday, these issues have been squashed. It appeared like each time the offense touched the ball, they have been a lock to get into the endzone. Whether or not it was Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Worth operating over USC defenders or Riley Leonard throwing darts to his receivers, the offense was simply firing on all cylinders. This provides Notre Dame a ton of momentum heading into the playoffs. They’re not over-reliant on the protection. They know that the offense can choose up the protection and put the group able to win.
Christian Grey Rollercoaster Day
Probably the most noteworthy individual from the Irish protection was cornerback Christian Grey. Grey began the sport with a robust efficiency within the first quarter. Nonetheless, for the remainder of the sport, he was consistently being burned by USC receivers. He was additionally referred to as twice for defensive move interference. Within the 4th quarter, the USC move assault revolved round getting the ball to whoever Grey was protecting.
However, when it mattered most, Grey stepped up. With USC marching down the sphere down 35-28, Grey picked off Jayden Maiava’s move and returned it 99 yards, basically icing the sport for Notre Dame. This exhibits rather a lot concerning the mentality of Grey. He’s not a man who’s going to let a nasty stretch take him out of the sport. He’ll maintain his head down and maintain attempting to make performs.
Grey efficiency was a microcosm of all the protection efficiency. As talked about earlier than, the protection had statistically the worst efficiency of the season. However, when it mattered most, the protection stepped up and made the performs they needed to. In the long run, Notre Dame received the victory.
Brian Germinaro is a sportswriter for Stomach Up Sports activities. Comply with him on Twitter/X for extra sports activities protection and Stomach Up Sports activities for much more school soccer content material. Function picture credit score: Kevork Djansezian.