On Saturday, USC and Notre Dame will renew their legendary football rivalry for the 96th time. The series between the Trojans and the Fighting Irish goes back nearly a century, and features numerous iconic moments on both sides. It’s a lot more than just the Bush Push, which is a mountaintop moment and yet just one of dozens of epic USC conquets of the Fighting Irish.
What are some of the Trojans’ greatest victories over their rivals from South Bend? In honor of Saturday’s matchup, let’s take a look back at some of USC’s most legendary moments against Notre Dame.
1964: Fertig to Sherman
USC quarterback Craig Fertig threw a late touchdown pass to wide receiver Rod Sherman to take down Notre Dame. The victory spoiled the Irish’s undefeated season and knocked them out of national championship contention.
1972: The Anthony Davis Game
USC running back Anthony Davis scored a historic six touchdowns as the Trojans routed the Irish en route to winning the program’s third national championship under head coach John McKay.
1974: The Comeback
Just before halftime, USC trailed Notre Dame 24-0, and the Coliseum crowd was stunned. However, Trojans subsequently stunned the Irish by scoring 55 unanswered points, turning what seemed to be an embarrassing defeat into a dominant victory.
1978: Joe Not Cool
USC kicker Frank Jordan kicked the game-winning field goal late, spoiling Notre Dame quarterback Joe Montana’s final regular season game with the Fighting Irish.
1996: Ending the Streak
After going 13 consecutive years without a victory over Notre Dame, the Trojans finally ended the streak in 1996. The loss was also Lou Holtz’s final game as Notre Dame head coach—he has spent the past 29 years in retirement feuding with Ryan Day.
2002: A Heisman Moment
USC quarterback Carson Palmer delivered his Heisman moment against Notre Dame, throwing for over 400 yards and four touchdowns. The 44-13 victory wrapped up a 10-2 season for the Trojans under head coach Pete Carroll, re-establishing them as a player on the national stage.
2005: The Bush Push
We discussed this legendary game at length on Wednesday.
2011: 99 Yards to the House
Late in the third quarter, Notre Dame had the ball on the USC one yard-line looking for the game-tying touchdown. However, the Irish fumbled the ball, and Trojans safety Jawanza Sterling recovered and took it back to the house to instead effectively put the game out of reach.
2016: Adoree’s Hat Trick
Against Notre Dame in 2016, USC do-it-all cornerback Adoree’ Jackson had a kickoff return touchdown, a punt return touchdown, and a receiving touchdown. The Trojans won 45-27, sending USC back to the Rose Bowl for the first time in eight years.
2022: Another Heisman Moment
20 years after Palmer’s performance, another USC quarterback wrapped up the Heisman Trophy against Notre Dame. Caleb Williams rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another as the Trojans took down the Irish for the first time in six years.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC-Notre Dame football rivalry is so much more than just the Bush Push and 4th and 9
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
