There are a lot of takeaways from this game, and here are my five immediate reactions to Notre Dame beating USC to retain the Jeweled Shillelagh Trophy.
That was a fun potential finals contest for Notre Dame and USC.
This was an instant classic, one that many will remember for a long time. For three quarters it looked like it would be anyone’s game, but the Irish quickly responded with two goals to regain the lead for good. This game was exactly the reason why this series must continue. It sure didn’t go well for USC, but they had a chance to win this game. Let’s continue with this rivalry please.
CJ Carr will have these types of games
The experience Carr is gaining this season will be a huge help in future seasons, and he’s clearly not a finished product. There’s one clear area that could be cleaned up pretty quickly, and that’s the crazy fights trying to make plays. Sure, you’ll see a highlight like Miami, but you’ll also see a disaster like tonight. The conditions weren’t good for throwing the ball, so Carr had to deal with that, but he always seems to have one or two of these types of plays each week. Throw the ball and move on to the next play. There is no need to give a team an extra possession.
Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are unfair
There’s no argument anymore, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are the best running back duo in the country. They faced USC, Love rushed for a career-high 228 yards and a score, while Price had a rushing touchdown and a kickoff return. Both had a huge impact on the Irish’s outcome, as they didn’t really need Carr to play at an elite level. I can’t say enough about how good these two are, and it’s so fun to watch them do this in the Blue and Gold.
Kicking is a major problem
It’s pretty clear to me that Noah Burnette is still injured, but the Irish coaching staff doesn’t have a lot of confidence in the players backing him up. He missed a field goal and an extra point and at the end of the fourth quarter, Freeman opted to go for it on fourth down instead of trying another one.
Erik Schmidt scored 11 of 12 extra points, but missed his only field goal attempt. He had two kickoffs out of bounds, giving the Trojans good starting field position. Marcello Diomede scored two extra points against Boise State. The wet conditions played a role, but not having Burnette fully healthy has hurt this team. It’s an area where they have little depth, one of the few on this team.
Christian Gray showed incredible resistance
There aren’t many corners in the county that can turn around 180 degrees in just a few plays like Gray did. After being in coverage for the Trojans’ go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, Price regained the lead, on the next drive Gray intercepted Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava. That was the start, as he would steal another late in the quarter. It was a huge change in the game and helped propel the Irish to victory.
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