News / Sports
USC Keeps Their BCS Championship Dreams Alive, Beat ND 44-24
It didn’t take long for the USC Trojans to send a message to the BCS that they were ready for to capture their third national championship in four years. The Trojans scored on their first three possessions of the game to build a 21-3 lead over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Quarterback John David Booty connected with Dwayne Jarrett on USC’s first two possessions to put the Trojans up 14-0. After the Irish kicked a field goal at the end of the first quarter USC came back and found the end zone again. This time on a one yard quarterback sneak from Booty.
Brady Quinn tried to bring the Irish back and was able to find Marcus Freeman on a seven yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 21-10. The score remained at 21-10 going into halftime.
The Trojans came out in the third quarter and continued to put the pressure on the Irish. On their first possession of the second half they drove 65 yards on 10 plays and scored on a 2 yard touchdown run from Chauncey Washington.
Notre Dame was able to find the end zone with just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Rhema McKnight caught a two yard touchdown pass from Quinn to cut the lead to 28-17.
USC continued to chew up the clock and on their next possession they drove 65 yards before settling for a field goal and a 2 touchdown advantage.
Booty found Dwayne Jarrett for the third time on a 43 yard touchdown pass to shut the door on the Irish 38-17.
Quinn threw his third touchdown pass of the game to Jeff Samardzija to make the score 38-24 but the Trojans took the ensuing on-side kick back for a touchdown and a 44-24 final score.
USC will take on UCLA next Saturday and a win could place them in line to play Ohio State for the BCS National Championship game in Glendal, Arizona.
