Notre Dame Dominates USC Behind Defensive Turnovers
Notre Dame defeated USC 49-35 in Week 14, with the visiting Fighting Irish covering the 7-point spread in a high-scoring affair. Notre Dame's defense was the decisive factor, particularly in the fourth quarter, where two interceptions by Christian Gray and Xavier Watts—both returned for touchdowns—sealed the victory.
USC's Jayden Maiava led all passers with 360 yards but threw critical late-game interceptions that proved costly. Duce Robinson was USC's receiving leader with 63 yards, while Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love led all rushers with 99 yards.
The game was closely contested throughout, with 12 lead changes and a maximum win probability swing of 51.21 percent. Notre Dame's offensive explosion in the third quarter, when they scored 21 points, proved pivotal. The final score of 49-35 surpassed the over-under of 52.5 points, finishing just under the total for a push on betting lines.
AI-generated recap · Aug 27, 2026
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Notre Dame | 7 | 7 | 21 | 14 | 49 |
 USC | 0 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
Scoring Timeline
Drive Chart
Box Score
| Statistic | Notre Dame | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | 18-23 | 27-49 |
| Pass Yards | 178 | 360 |
| Rush Yards | 260 | 197 |
| Total Yards | 438 | 557 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| 3rd Down | 3-9 | 5-12 |
| Penalties | 3-44 | 7-69 |
| Possession | 29:45 | 30:15 |
Player Leaders
Player Leaders
Play-by-Play
Eric Goins kickoff for 65 yds , Makai Lemon return for 14 yds to the USC 14
Woody Marks run for 2 yds to the USC 16
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Makai Lemon for 10 yds to the USC 26 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Makai Lemon for a loss of 3 yards to the USC 23
Woody Marks run for 14 yds to the USC 37 for a 1ST down
Woody Marks run for no gain to the USC 37
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Zachariah Branch for 26 yds to the ND 37 for a 1ST down
Woody Marks run for 1 yd to the ND 36
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Woody Marks run for 7 yds to the ND 29
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Zachariah Branch for 1 yd to the ND 28
Jeremiyah Love run for 19 yds to the ND 47 for a 1ST down
Riley Leonard pass complete to Jeremiyah Love for 1 yd to the ND 48
Riley Leonard run for 5 yds to the USC 47
Riley Leonard pass complete to Kris Mitchell for 6 yds to the USC 41 for a 1ST down
Riley Leonard pass complete to Jaden Greathouse for 6 yds to the USC 35
Riley Leonard run for 6 yds to the USC 29 for a 1ST down
Jeremiyah Love run for 9 yds to the USC 20
Riley Leonard pass complete to Mitchell Evans for 3 yds to the USC 17 for a 1ST down
Riley Leonard pass complete to Mitchell Evans for 1 yd to the USC 16
Jeremiyah Love run for 7 yds to the USC 9
Riley Leonard run for 5 yds to the USC 4 for a 1ST down
Riley Leonard run for 3 yds to the USC 1
Jeremiyah Love run for 1 yd for a TD (Mitch Jeter KICK)
Eric Goins kickoff for 65 yds , Makai Lemon return for 20 yds to the USC 20
Woody Marks run for 9 yds to the USC 29
USC Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the USC 24
Quinten Joyner run for 12 yds to the USC 36 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Quinten Joyner run for 3 yds to the USC 39
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Eddie Czaplicki punt for 46 yds
Riley Leonard pass complete to Jayden Thomas for 8 yds to the ND 23
Riley Leonard pass complete to Jayden Thomas for 14 yds Jayden Thomas fumbled, recovered by USC Easton Mascarenas-Arnold E. Mascarenas-Arnold return for 0 yds
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Duce Robinson for 11 yds to the ND 26 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava run for 6 yds to the ND 20
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Quinten Joyner for 13 yds to the ND 7 for a 1ST down
Quinten Joyner run for 6 yds to the ND 1
Jayden Maiava 1 Yd Run (Michael Lantz Kick)
Jadarian Price run for no gain to the ND 25
Riley Leonard run for 1 yd to the ND 26
Riley Leonard pass incomplete
Tyler Buchner pass complete to Mitchell Evans for 23 yds to the ND 49 for a 1ST down
Riley Leonard pass complete to Jadarian Price for a loss of 1 yard to the ND 48
Jadarian Price run for 1 yd to the ND 49
Riley Leonard pass complete to Mitchell Evans for 9 yds to the USC 42
Riley Leonard pass complete to Jordan Faison for 8 yds to the USC 34 for a 1ST down
Jeremiyah Love run for 19 yds to the USC 15 for a 1ST down
Riley Leonard pass incomplete
Jeremiyah Love run for 3 yds to the USC 12
Riley Leonard run for 3 yds to the USC 9
Mitch Jeter 27 yd FG MISSED
Jayden Maiava sacked by Gabriel Rubio for a loss of 5 yards to the USC 15
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Zachariah Branch for 11 yds to the USC 26
(03:43) CZAPLICKI, Eddie punt 74 yards to the ND0, Touchback, clock 03:34. PENALTY Before the snap, USC Illegal Shift enforced 5 yards from the USC26 to the USC21. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Eddie Czaplicki punt for 51 yds , Max Hurleman returns for 7 yds to the ND 35
Jeremiyah Love run for 3 yds to the ND 38
Riley Leonard pass complete to Eli Raridon for 4 yds to the ND 42
Jeremiyah Love run for 2 yds to the ND 44
Riley Leonard run for 1 yd to the ND 45 for a 1ST down
Jeremiyah Love run for 8 yds to the USC 47
(01:16) LEONARD, Riley pass deep up the middle incomplete intended for HARRISON, Jayden thrown to the USC30; QB hurried by CLIFTON, Nate, clock 01:11. PENALTY USC Tripping on SHELBY, Braylan enforced 15 yards from the USC47 to the USC32 and results in a 1ST DOWN [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Riley Leonard pass complete to Jeremiyah Love for 20 yds to the USC 12 for a 1ST down
R. Leonard pass to E. Raridon for 12 yds for a TD (M. Jeter KICK)
Eric Goins kickoff for 58 yds , Makai Lemon return for 15 yds to the USC 22
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Zachariah Branch for 7 yds to the USC 29
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Makai Lemon for 9 yds to the USC 38 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Makai Lemon for 35 yds to the ND 27 for a 1ST down
(00:32) MAIAVA, Jayden pass deep to the right incomplete intended for LANE, Ja'Kobi thrown to the ND1, clock 00:27. PENALTY ND Pass Interference on GRAY, Christian enforced half the distance from the goal, 15 yards to the ND12 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
J. Maiava pass to J. Lane for 12 yds for a TD (M. Lantz KICK)
Jeremiyah Love run for 8 yds to the ND 33
End of 2nd Quarter
Jeremiyah Love run for 10 yds to the ND 35 for a 1ST down
Riley Leonard pass incomplete
Jeremiyah Love run for 6 yds to the ND 41
Riley Leonard pass complete to Kris Mitchell for 19 yds to the USC 40 for a 1ST down
Jeremiyah Love run for 4 yds to the USC 36
Jadarian Price run for 36 yds for a TD (Mitch Jeter KICK)
Eric Goins kickoff for 62 yds , Makai Lemon return for 20 yds to the USC 23
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Duce Robinson for 30 yds to the ND 47 for a 1ST down
Bryan Jackson run for 2 yds to the ND 45
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
(11:12) MAIAVA, Jayden pass deep to the left incomplete intended for LEMON, Makai thrown to the ND15, clock 11:07. PENALTY ND Pass Interference on GRAY, Christian enforced 15 yards to the ND30 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Walker Lyons for 11 yds to the ND 19 for a 1ST down
Quinten Joyner run for 14 yds to the ND 5 for a 1ST down
Quinten Joyner run for 4 yds to the ND 1
Jayden Maiava run for 1 yd for a TD (Michael Lantz KICK)
Riley Leonard pass complete to Jeremiyah Love for 17 yds to the ND 42 for a 1ST down
Riley Leonard run for 9 yds to the USC 49
USC Penalty, Face mask (15 yards) (Greedy Vance Jr.) to the USC 28 for a 1ST down
Riley Leonard run for 24 yds to the USC 4 for a 1ST down
Jadarian Price run for 2 yds to the USC 2
Riley Leonard run for 2 yds for a TD (Mitch Jeter KICK)
Eric Goins kickoff for 64 yds , Makai Lemon return for 35 yds to the USC 36
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava run for 8 yds to the USC 44
Quinten Joyner run for 4 yds to the USC 48 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Bryan Jackson run for 2 yds to the 50 yard line
Eddie Czaplicki punt for 50 yds for a touchback
Jadarian Price run for 16 yds to the ND 36 for a 1ST down
Riley Leonard pass intercepted John Humphrey return for 15 yds to the ND 45
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Kyron Hudson for 7 yds to the ND 38
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jadarian Price run for 4 yds to the ND 42
Jadarian Price run for 35 yds to the USC 23 for a 1ST down
Riley Leonard pass complete to Mitchell Evans for 23 yds for a TD (Mitch Jeter KICK)
Eric Goins kickoff for 61 yds , Makai Lemon return for 13 yds to the USC 17
Quinten Joyner run for 11 yds to the USC 28 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Kyle Ford for 29 yds to the ND 43 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Makai Lemon for a loss of 3 yards to the ND 46
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Eddie Czaplicki punt for 36 yds, fair catch by Max Hurleman at the ND 10
Jadarian Price run for 3 yds to the ND 13
Jadarian Price run for 1 yd to the ND 14
Riley Leonard sacked by Kameryn Fountain for a loss of 4 yards to the ND 10
James Rendell punt for 42 yds , Zachariah Branch returns for 7 yds to the ND 45
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Makai Lemon for 24 yds to the ND 21 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Kyron Hudson for 19 yds to the ND 2 for a 1ST down
Quinten Joyner run for 1 yd to the ND 1
USC Penalty, False Start (Lake McRee) to the ND 5
Jake Jensen run for a loss of 1 yard to the ND 6
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Ja'Kobi Lane for 6 yds for a TD (Michael Lantz KICK)
Riley Leonard pass complete to Jordan Faison for 5 yds to the ND 30
Jadarian Price run for 2 yds to the ND 32
(07:28) LEONARD, Riley pass deep to the left incomplete intended for FAISON, Jordan thrown to the USC45, clock 07:22. PENALTY USC Holding on COVINGTON, Jacobe enforced 10 yards from the ND32 to the ND42 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Jadarian Price run for 5 yds to the ND 33
Riley Leonard sacked by Jamil Muhammad for a loss of 5 yards to the ND 28
Riley Leonard pass incomplete
James Rendell punt for 60 yds , Zachariah Branch returns for 4 yds to the USC 16
Notre Dame Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (TEAM) to the ND 28
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Makai Lemon for 16 yds to the USC 32 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Lake McRee for 2 yds to the USC 34
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Duce Robinson for 22 yds to the ND 44 for a 1ST down
Quinten Joyner run for 23 yds to the ND 21 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass intercepted Christian Gray return for 99 yds for a TD USC Penalty, Block below the waist on MAIAVA, Jayden of (Jayden Maiava) to the USC 0 (Mitch Jeter KICK)
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Makai Lemon for 34 yds to the ND 41 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Kyle Ford for 8 yds to the ND 33
Quinten Joyner run for 5 yds to the ND 28 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Makai Lemon for 11 yds to the ND 17 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Kyle Ford for 4 yds to the ND 13
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Jayden Maiava pass intercepted Xavier Watts return for 100 yds for a TD (Mitch Jeter KICK)
Bryan Jackson run for 12 yds to the USC 37 for a 1ST down
Bryan Jackson run for 11 yds to the USC 48 for a 1ST down
Bryan Jackson run for 23 yds to the ND 29 for a 1ST down
Bryan Jackson run for 21 yds to the ND 8 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Ja'Kobi Lane for 8 yds for a TD (Michael Lantz KICK)
(00:13) Kneel down by TEAM at ND23 (team loss of 2), clock 00:03.