Notre Dame football: 3 takeaways from high-stakes win vs USC Trojans

Audric Estime bounced back with epic performance for Notre Dame

Junior running back Audric Estime finally got his groove back against USC after having the worst game of his season last week (10 carries, 20 yards). The powerful back ended up with 95 rushing yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns. This was Estime’s best performance since steamrolling Central Michigan a few weeks ago for 176 yards and a touchdown.

Whenever things are clicking for Estime, it enables QB Sam Hartman and the wide receiver corp an easier path to move the football down the field. Speaking of Hartman, the elder statesman of the team finished with a season-low 13 completed passes and a season-low 126 yards through the air.

Thanks to the outstanding play from the team’s defense, the offense was largely able to play conservatively throughout the game. Notre Dame registered zero turnovers and just five total penalties throughout the entire game.

After a sweeping victory over the Trojans things feel like they’re back on track in South Bend. Having the Jeweled Shillelagh back on Notre Dame’s campus after a one-year respiteone-year respite in Southern California is just icing on the proverbial cake.