Why USC vs. Notre Dame is one of football’s most storied rivalries
The USC-Notre Dame rivalry is considered the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football, with 36 wins for USC, 46 for Notre Dame and two ties. Between them, the two schools have won 22 national championships and 13 Heisman Trophies. The rivalry began in 1926 and has been played every year, except between 1943 to 1945 because of World War II. It's one of the longest-running rivalries in college sports with the 91st meeting taking place on Saturday in South Bend, Ind.
Two talent factories form a closely matched rivalry
Notre Dame
USC
Heisman Trophy winners
7
Notre Dame has way more All-Americans (102) than USC (81)
12
All-Americans
Hall of Famers
100
Notre Dame edged out
USC in all catagories except NFL draft picks (510 vs 505).
500
NFL draft picks
Ohio State
Michigan
Alabama
Auburn
Oklahoma
Texas
California
Stanford
Miami
Florida State
Georgia
Florida
Notre Dame
USC
Heisman Trophy winners
7
Notre Dame has way more All-Americans (102) than USC (81)
100
12
Hall of
Famers
All
Americans
Notre Dame barely edges out USC in all catagories except NFL draft picks (510 vs 505).
500
NFL draft picks
Ohio State
Michigan
Alabama
Auburn
Oklahoma
Texas
Georgia
Florida
Miami
Florida State
California
Stanford
Though many schools have had stretches of success, such as Miami in the 1990s and Ohio State and Oklahoma currently, these have been one-sided. Additionally, rivalries that are similarly competitive like California-Stanford and Florida-Georgia don't have as storied programs. USC and Notre Dame have been strong and mostly partial for a good part of their 93-year rivalry.
USC-ND games by point difference
Notre Dame
USC
No games
due to
World War II
+25
The Early Days
1926-1960
+32
Back-to-back ties
+31
The Golden Era
1960-1982
Biggest shutout
for Notre Dame: 51 pts
Notre Dame dominance
1983-1995
+33
+10
Parity
1996-2001
+17
Biggest shutout
for USC: 38 pts
USC dominance
2002-2009
Vacated win
+35
Parity again
2010-Present
+35
Notre Dame
USC
The Early Days
1926-1960
No games due to
World War II
+32
+25
The Golden Era
1960-1982
Biggest shutout for
Notre Dame: 51 pts
Back-to-back
ties
+31
Notre Dame dominance
1983-1995
+33
Parity
1996-2001
+10
+17
USC dominance
2002-2009
Vacated win
Biggest shutout for USC: 38 pts
Parity again
2010-Present
+35
+35
There have been many great games played between these two historic programs the past 90 meetings. However, here are a few that fans, alums, students, and college football pundits still talk about to this day.
THE EARLY DAYS
One of the largest crowds in college football history
USC captain Morley Drury carries the ball against Notre Dame at Soldier Field in Chicago on Nov. 27, 1927. (AP Photo/File)
Final Score
USC
12-13
ND
While Notre Dame Stadium was being constructed, the Irish played all home games at Soldier Field in Chicago. The fourth game in the series drew 112,912 spectators, which is one of the largest crowds in college football history, to watch an undefeated Irish team take on the visiting 6-1 USC team. The Irish would win their second national title at the end of the season.
Golden Era
The Comeback
Anthony Davis of USC races 102 yards for a touchdown to start off a 49-point second half in a 55-24 victory over Notre Dame on Nov. 30, 1974. (AP Photo/Jeff Robbins, File)
Final Score
USC
55-24
ND
The Trojans erased a 24-point deficit to beat the defending national champion Irish 55-24. USC scored 55 points in under 17 minutes. ND coach Ara Parseghian announced his resignation weeks after, but the Irish gave him a farewell gift by beating Alabama in the Orange Bowl.
Notre Dame Dominance
No. 1 vs. No. 2
Notre Dame quarterback Tony Rice runs past USC's Tracy Butts for a 65-yard touchdown run for the first score of the game at the Coliseum. (Los Angeles Times)
Final Score
USC
10-27
ND
For the only time in series history, the matchup featured the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the country. The Irish came in as underdogs and came on top 27-10 in front of a sellout crowd of 93,829 at the Coliseum. The Irish would go onto the Fiesta Bowl to beat West Virginia and win the national championship, their last NCAA title.
PARITY
Holtz's last hurrah spoiled
Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz, right, looks at the stadium giant screen for the replay after the Fighting Irish fumbled during the fourth quarter on Nov. 30, 1996 in Los Angeles. USC won 27-20, its first victory over the Fighting Irish since 1982. It was Holtz’s final game. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian).
Final Score
USC
27-20
ND
Lou Holtz came into his last game as head coach of Notre Dame having never lost to USC. In fact, the Irish had not lost to the Trojans for 13 years and before that had an 11-game winning streak over the Trojans that ended in 1994 with a tie. The Trojans tied the score with 1:50 remaining to force overtime and beat the Irish. It’s the only overtime game in the series.
USC Dominance
The Bush Push
Matt Leinart reaches for the end zone on a quarterback sneak for a 34–31 lead on Oct. 15, 2005 in South Bend, Ind (Alexander Gallardo / Los Angeles Times).
Final Score
USC
34-31
ND
The Irish don green jerseys in hopes of knocking off No. 1 ranked USC and end their 27-game winning streak. USC running back Reggie Bush pushed quarterback Matt Leinhart in the end zone to give the Trojans the lead with three seconds left in the game. Although play was against the rules at that time, referees rarely, if ever, made that call. USC later vacated the victory because of NCAA sanctions.
Parity again
Under the lights
Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist fumbles the snap at the USC one-yard line. USC safety Jawanza Starling returned the fumble ball 80 yards for a touchdown. (USC Athletics / Long Photography)
Final Score
USC
31-17
ND
First night game in South Bend in 21 years. Turning point in the game came in the third quarter when the Irish, down 17-10, drove to the USC one-yard line but a fumbled snap was returned the other way for a USC touchdown. This was the Trojans fifth straight win in South Bend. They haven’t won there since.
Parity again
Unforeseen reversal of preseason expectations
USC running back Silas Redd is brought down by Notre Dame's KeiVarae, left, and Bennett Jackson after a big gain in the second quarter at the Coliseum. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times).
Final Score
USC
13-22
ND
Going into the game both teams found themselves in reversal of preseason expectations. The Irish came in ranked No. 1 while the Trojans were unranked. USC was preseason ranked No. 1 while ND was not ranked. The Irish would punch their ticket to the BCS Championship Game after the win.
What the fans have to say
"There’s nothing like going home to California after a win, wearing ND gear."
Makayla Vasquez · 21 · ND graduate · Alexandria, Va
"I’m a USC alum and my ex-boyfriend who recently dumped me went to Notre Dame. Our relationship started when we playfully talked trash to each other on a dating app before the game four years ago. I’d really love to see USC kick Notre Dame’s butt this year."
Kristen Hernandez · 27 · USC '14 · Washington D.C.
"Traditions for old and young; past, present and future generations!!!!!! Go Irish!!!"
Chris Zeches · 34 · ND '07 · Phoenix, AZ
"USC has two rivalries, ucla and ND. One is a rivalry by default because we're in the same city but they're like the annoying little brother you can pretty easily rough up. ND is a truer rivalry because they're better and the team we have respect for."
Roy Nwaisser a.k.a. USC Psycho · Los Angeles, CA
"I’ll always remember these games over the past 4 years as times of tremendous joy with my friends when we thrashed the team two years back to back."
Holden Perrelli · ND senior
"It is the earliest rivalry I ever remember watching as a child in West Virginia, even before I had a favorite college team of my own, and rooting on the Trojans, which is how USC became my favorite 'helmet team.'"
Vince Skolny · USC fan · Los Angeles, CA
"Can it be called a rivalry when one school wins all the time?"
Gary Adamson · 67 · ND '75 · La Jolla, Calif
"I am not a fan of either USC or ND (am a CU Buffs fan!).In a time of realignment,this game is as steady as most conf games."
Matt Toepfer · Longmont, Colo
