Notre Dame runs by USC 34-24 in Rivalry Showdown

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Oct. 18, 2025 — Notre Dame extended its winning streak to five games Saturday night, surviving a back-and-forth battle with rival USC to win 34-24 at Notre Dame Stadium in a game with major College Football Playoff implications for both programs.

The 13th-ranked Fighting Irish trailed twice in the second half before pulling away, improving to 5-2 on the season and dropping the 20th-ranked Trojans to their second loss.

Love Takes Over as Defense Comes Up Big Late

Jeremiyah Love carried the offense, rushing 24 times for over 200 yards and adding a rushing touchdown, while Jadarian Price added a kickoff-return touchdown after USC briefly took a 27-21 lead in the third quarter. CJ Carr also punched in a rushing score in the fourth quarter to put Notre Dame ahead for good.

Notre Dame's defense, which started the season as one of the worst units in the country, forced three turnovers — including two interceptions — and got increasingly stout in the second half after USC's Jayden Maiava threw for 328 yards and two touchdowns, including a 59-yard strike to Ja'Kobi Lane.

Freeman: "It Wasn't an Easy Win"

Marcus Freeman was visibly drained in his postgame press conference, praising his team's resilience in what he called a hard-fought, physical rivalry victory.

"I'm just exhausted, and I know these guys that actually were on the field are [too]," Freeman said. "I appreciate — I told them in the locker room — the effort they give to this football program to give them a chance to have that type of outcome. That's what it's about. It's about sacrificing for the man next to you because they need you to."

Freeman acknowledged the game was far from comfortable, crediting USC for making Notre Dame earn every point.

"It wasn't an easy win," Freeman said. "It was a struggle, as I told them it would be, versus a good opponent. But they continued to be resilient, continued to run the football, be opportunistic on defense, and create some turnovers in the second half, and the result is the result."

On what a win in the historic rivalry — one that may not be played again for several years amid ongoing scheduling disputes between the two programs — meant to him personally, Freeman reflected on the significance of the moment.

"They mean just a little bit more," Freeman said of rivalry games. "You remember rivalry games. I remember my rivalry games from pee-wee to high school to college and the ones I've been a part of as a coach. Those are games that mean more, and hopefully you remember some things you did in that game that led to the outcome."

What's Next

Notre Dame's win streak reached five games as the Fighting Irish headed into their bye week at 5-2, with a clear runway toward the College Football Playoff after erasing an 0-2 start to the season.

Lucky Lefty Top Play and Performers

Key Play: Jadarian Price's 100-yard kickoff-return touchdown, coming on the very next play after USC had taken a 27-24 lead, instantly swung momentum back to Notre Dame in the third quarter.

Offensive Performer: Jeremiyah Love — 24 carries for over 200 yards and a touchdown, controlling the game on the ground in a physical rivalry battle.

Defensive Performer: Notre Dame's defense forced three USC turnovers, including two interceptions, tightening up considerably after a shaky start to the game.

Box Score

Notre Dame 34, USC 24 — Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Ind.

SCORING BY QUARTER 1 2 3 4 F Notre Dame 7 7 13 7 — 34 USC 10 3 11 0 — 24

SCORING PLAYS Q1 11:15 — J. Maiava 10-yd TD pass to L. McRee (ND 0-6) Q1 11:09 — R. Sayeri PAT good (ND 0-7) Q1 10:17 — J. Love 12-yd TD run (ND 6-7) Q1 10:11 — N. Burnette PAT good (ND 7-7) Q1 8:08 — R. Sayeri 42-yd FG (ND 7-10) Q2 14:45 — J. Price 16-yd TD run (ND 13-10) Q2 14:38 — N. Burnette PAT good (ND 14-10) Q2 1:47 — R. Sayeri 24-yd FG (ND 14-13) Q3 8:08 — C. Carr 6-yd TD pass to W. Pauling (ND 20-13) Q3 8:04 — N. Burnette PAT good (ND 21-13) Q3 6:23 — R. Sayeri 43-yd FG (ND 21-16) Q3 4:41 — J. Maiava 59-yd TD pass to J. Lane (ND 21-22) Q3 4:32 — Two-point conversion good (ND 21-24) Q3 4:32 — J. Price kickoff return TD (ND 27-24) Q3 4:17 — PAT no good (ND 27-24) Q4 7:24 — C. Carr 1-yd TD run (ND 33-24) Q4 7:16 — N. Burnette PAT good (ND 34-24, Final)

TEAM STATS Notre Dame USC Total Yards 442 396 Passing Yards 136 328 Rushing Yards 306 68 First Downs 23 23 Penalties-Yards 8-96 1-5 Turnovers 1 3 Time of Possession 32:58 27:02

PASSING CJ Carr (ND) — 16/26, 136 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT Jayden Maiava (USC) — 22/42, 328 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT

RUSHING Notre Dame — 44 att, 306 yds, 7.0 avg, 3 TD, long 63 USC — 29 att, 68 yds, 2.3 avg, 0 TD, long 15

RECEIVING Notre Dame — 16 rec (26 targets), 136 yds, 1 TD, long 15 USC — 22 rec (41 targets), 328 yds, 2 TD, long 59

KICKING Noah Burnette (ND) — 0/1 FG Rasean Sayeri (USC) — 3/3 FG, long 43

DEFENSE Notre Dame USC Total Tackles 63 72 Sacks 2.0 1.0 Interceptions 2 1 Forced Fumbles 1 0 QB Hits 2 1