Notre Dame Football: 3 takeaways from big win over USC in Week 7

Notre Dame football was able to hold off the USC Trojans in a Week 7 rivalry game. Let’s take a look at what’s next for these two teams.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish welcomed the USC Trojans to South Bend in one of the first big rivalry games of this college football season. The Irish are looking for third consecutive win against the Trojans, which would be the first time they’ve done that since 1999-2001.

This third win seemed very much possible as Notre Dame was at home and USC’s star quarterback, JT Daniels, is out for the year due to an ACL injury. Furthermore, Notre Dame entered the game with a 4-1 record with their lone loss being to Georgia in Week 4.

USC got out ahead of the Irish early with a field goal, leading 3-0 at the end of the first quarter. However, by halftime, Notre Dame took command of the game and led at halftime, 17-3.

The Trojans battled back during the third quarter and much of the fourth to bring the score within three, 23-20. However, the Irish held them off, with a dominant drive by Notre Dame quarterback, Ian Book, to extend the lead late in the fourth quarter, 30-20.

The Trojans scored again quickly. However, after a failed onside kick attempt, Notre Dame sealed the game, 30-27.

Let’s take a look at some of the bigger implications from this mid-season rivalry game.