Rain. It wasn't just a drizzle; it was that heavy, soaking South Bend mess that turns a football field into a slip-and-slide. If you were looking for the Notre Dame vs USC score on the night of October 18, 2025, you might have expected a high-flying aerial duel between two ranked programs. Instead, what we got was a throwback.
34-24.
That’s the final number that went up on the board at Notre Dame Stadium. It sounds like a standard, semi-close football game. But the box score is a liar. It doesn't tell you how the air left the stadium when USC’s Ja'Kobi Lane snagged a 59-yard touchdown pass to put the Trojans up 24-21 in the third. It doesn't capture the absolute silence of 80,000 people before Jadarian Price decided he wasn't going to let that lead stand for more than twelve seconds.
The Play That Actually Decided the Notre Dame vs USC Score
Most people look at the final tally and think it was a slow grind. Honestly? It was a game of extreme emotional whiplash. USC had the momentum. They had the lead. They had a quarterback in Jordan Maiava who was throwing seeds through the rain, finishing with 328 yards and two touchdowns.
Then came the kickoff.
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Jadarian Price took the ball at the goal line. He didn't just run; he exploded. He broke two tackles, found a seam, and 100 yards later, the Irish were back on top. That single play didn't just change the score; it broke the Trojans' spirit. USC didn't score another point for the rest of the night. Zero. Nil.
Marcus Freeman, the Irish head coach, talked afterward about "unselfishness." It sounds like coach-speak. But when you look at Jeremiyah Love, you see what he means. Love was a man possessed. He didn't just lead the backfield; he redefined what a "workhorse" looks like in 2025.
Why Jeremiyah Love Is the Name You’ll Remember
228 yards.
That is a career-high for Jeremiyah Love. It’s also the most rushing yards any Notre Dame player has ever put up in a single game at Notre Dame Stadium. Think about that for a second. This is a stadium that has seen Heisman winners and NFL legends since 1930. Love surpassed them all on a wet Saturday night against their biggest rival.
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The Irish offensive line basically lived in the USC backfield. While the Trojans were busy trying to contain CJ Carr—who, frankly, had a quiet night with only 136 yards passing—they forgot that Notre Dame still loves to run the damn ball. The Irish finished with 306 yards on the ground. USC? They managed 68. You aren't winning many games when you get out-rushed by nearly 240 yards. It’s physics.
Breaking Down the Scoring Summary
If you missed the play-by-play, here is how those 58 points actually happened. It wasn't a linear path.
The first half was a bit of a feeling-out process. USC struck first with a field goal and a touchdown to take a 10-7 lead. The Irish kept hanging around, mostly because Love refused to be tackled on the first or second attempt. By halftime, it was 14-13 in favor of the Irish, a lead as thin as the stadium's plastic ponchos.
The third quarter was pure chaos.
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- USC Goal: Field goal to make it 16-14.
- Notre Dame Response: Touchdown to take a 21-16 lead.
- The Trojan Strike: Maiava to Lane for 59 yards, plus a successful 2-point conversion. USC leads 24-21.
- The Dagger: Price’s 100-yard kickoff return. 28-24 Irish.
The fourth quarter was all Notre Dame defense. Adon Shuler was everywhere, finishing with 10 tackles and a forced fumble that basically ended any hope of a USC comeback. CJ Carr added a 1-yard touchdown run late to put the cherry on top.
Is This Really the End of the Rivalry?
There is a dark cloud hanging over the Notre Dame vs USC score that has nothing to do with the weather in South Bend. This was the 96th meeting. It might be the last one for a long time.
With USC moving into the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff expanding, the scheduling math is getting ugly. Rumors are flying that the series is going on a "pause" after this season. It’s a tragedy for college football. You have the Jeweled Shillelagh—a trophy that Notre Dame has now kept for three straight years—and nearly a century of history. Seeing it disappear because of TV contracts and conference realignment feels wrong.
Notre Dame now leads the all-time series 52-38-5. They've won seven straight against the Trojans at home. If this truly is the finale of the annual tradition, the Irish sent it off with a masterclass in "bully ball."
Key Takeaways from the Matchup
- Trust the Ground Game: In an era of "Air Raid" offenses, Notre Dame proved that 300+ rushing yards is still the ultimate cheat code.
- Special Teams Matter: Price’s 100-yard return was a 14-point swing in terms of momentum. Don't skip the "boring" parts of the game.
- Defense Wins Final Frames: USC’s offense was electric for three quarters but got suffocated when it mattered most. The Irish defense allowed zero points in the final 15 minutes.
If you are looking for the next steps, keep an eye on the College Football Playoff rankings. This win moved Notre Dame to 5-2 and kept them firmly in the hunt for a seed. For USC, it's a "back to the drawing board" moment. They have the talent, but as this game showed, talent gets stuck in the mud without a run game.
Check the injury reports for the upcoming week, specifically for USC's backfield, as they clearly missed the presence of Eli Sanders. For Notre Dame fans, just enjoy the fact that the Shillelagh is staying in South Bend. At least for now.