It was cold. Not "Midwest winter" cold, but that biting, damp Los Angeles chill that catches you off guard in late November. If you were at the Coliseum or watching the broadcast, you felt the weight of it. This wasn't just another game on the schedule. The Notre Dame USC 2024 matchup was a collision of two programs moving in completely opposite directions, and honestly, it showed from the opening kickoff.
Riley vs. Freeman.
Traditional powerhouse vs. Transfer portal experiment.
Most people went into this game expecting a shootout. Why wouldn't they? When you have Lincoln Riley on one sideline, you expect points. You expect fireworks. But what we actually got was a masterclass in physical, defensive-minded football that left the Trojans looking for answers they simply didn't have. It was a 49-35 victory for the Irish, but the score makes it look closer than the actual "feel" of the game was for those four quarters.
Why the Notre Dame USC 2024 Scoreboard Lied
If you just look at the final numbers, you see 84 total points and think it was a back-and-forth affair. It wasn't. Notre Dame dominated the line of scrimmage. That's the part the national media sometimes glosses over because it's not as flashy as a 60-yard bomb. The Irish offensive line, led by guys who will be playing on Sundays very soon, basically lived in the USC backfield.
Riley’s defensive woes weren't a secret. Everyone knew the Trojans struggled to stop the run, but watching it happen in real-time is different. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price didn't just run; they punished people. Notre Dame put up 49 points because they could. They dictated the tempo, shortened the game when they wanted to, and exploited a USC defense that still looks like it's trying to find an identity under D'Anton Lynn.
Miller Moss had a day, statistically. He threw for over 300 yards. He fought. But statistics are often a consolation prize in a loss this significant. While Moss was trying to keep the ship upright, the Irish defense was busy making life miserable for everyone else. Xavier Watts, the reigning Bednarik Award winner, was everywhere. It’s rare to see a safety influence a game that much without having ten interceptions, but his presence alone changed how USC called plays.
The Riley Pressure Cooker
You've got to feel for the USC fan base a little bit. There’s so much talent on that roster. Zachariah Branch is probably the most electric player in the country when he has the ball in space. But "space" was a luxury the Notre Dame defense refused to grant.
The 2024 season was supposed to be the year USC proved they could play Big Ten-style football—tough, gritty, and disciplined. Instead, the Notre Dame USC 2024 game served as a stark reminder that they aren't there yet. Lincoln Riley is facing massive heat. You can hear it in the talk radio segments and see it on the message boards. People are asking if the "offensive genius" label is enough when your team gets bullied in the trenches.
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Notre Dame, on the other hand, looked like a team ready for the College Football Playoff. Marcus Freeman has built something different in South Bend. It’s not the flashy, "luck of the Irish" stuff of the past. It’s blue-collar. It’s loud. It’s aggressive. They came into the Coliseum and treated it like their own backyard.
A Tale of Two Quarterbacks
Riley Leonard’s performance was the focal point. Early in the season, Irish fans were skeptical. Could a Duke transfer really lead this team to the promised land? By the time the Notre Dame USC 2024 game rolled around, those questions were silenced. Leonard didn't just pass; he ran with a physicality that caught the USC linebackers flat-footed.
- He accounted for three total touchdowns.
- He didn't turn the ball over in high-pressure situations.
- He managed the clock like a pro.
Contrast that with Miller Moss. Moss has the arm. He has the heart. But he was playing behind an offensive line that was occasionally a sieve. When you’re constantly throwing under duress, mistakes happen. The interception he threw in the third quarter wasn't just a turnover; it was a soul-crusher. It shifted the momentum so violently that you could actually hear the stadium go quiet.
Misconceptions About the Rivalry
People keep saying the Notre Dame-USC rivalry has lost its luster because of the conference realignments and the playoff structure. They’re wrong.
Actually, it matters more now.
In the old days, a loss here just meant a worse bowl game. Now? A loss in the Notre Dame USC 2024 game effectively ended USC’s hopes for a meaningful postseason while catapulting the Irish into a prime seeding position. The stakes have shifted from regional bragging rights to national survival.
Another misconception is that USC is "soft." I hate that word. These are elite athletes. But there is a difference between being "soft" and being "out-schemed." Al Golden, the Notre Dame defensive coordinator, absolutely out-schooled the USC staff. He used simulated pressures that had Moss checking into plays that played right into the Irish's hands. It was tactical warfare, and Notre Dame had the better generals.
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The Atmosphere Was Weird
Usually, the Coliseum is a party. This year, it felt like a funeral at times. There was this palpable sense of "here we go again" from the home crowd. When Notre Dame jumped out to an early lead, the energy evaporated.
I spoke to a few fans outside the stadium afterward. The sentiment was universal: frustration. They see the 5-star recruits. They see the NIL money. But they aren't seeing the wins against Top 15 opponents. Meanwhile, the sea of green in the stands—and yes, Notre Dame fans travel better than anyone—was deafening. It felt like a home game for the Irish by the middle of the fourth quarter.
Key Takeaways from the Trenches
If you want to understand why the game ended 49-35, look at the "Success Rate" on third downs. Notre Dame was over 50%. USC was hovering in the low 30s. That’s the game.
Notre Dame’s ability to stay "on schedule" meant they were rarely in 3rd-and-long. USC was living in 3rd-and-12. You can't beat a top-tier defense when they know exactly what you have to do. The Irish pass rushers didn't even have to get sacks to be effective; they just had to move Moss off his spot.
- Total Rushing Yards: Notre Dame nearly doubled USC’s output.
- Time of Possession: The Irish held the ball for nearly 36 minutes.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Notre Dame was perfect; USC settled for field goals early on.
Those field goals were the "hidden" reason USC lost. You cannot trade threes for sevens against a team that runs the ball that effectively. It’s mathematical suicide. By the time Riley realized they needed to go for it on fourth down, the lead was already two scores and the Irish defense was pinned back, ready to tee off.
What This Means for 2025 and Beyond
The Notre Dame USC 2024 game wasn't just a 60-minute football game. It was a progress report.
For Marcus Freeman, it’s an A+. He’s proven he can win on the road in a hostile environment against a rival. He’s proven his recruiting strategy—focusing on the lines first—is the correct path for the modern era. The Irish are no longer a "pretty" team; they are a "power" team.
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For Lincoln Riley, it’s a D. Maybe a C- if you’re feeling generous because the offense still put up 35 points. But the fundamental issues that plagued his Oklahoma teams are still present in Los Angeles. Defense wins championships. It’s a cliché because it’s true. Until USC decides to prioritize the defensive interior and discipline over highlight-reel plays, they will continue to struggle against the Notre Dames of the world.
How to Analyze This Game Like a Pro
If you’re going back to watch the condensed replay, don't watch the ball. Watch the left tackle for Notre Dame. Watch how he handles the speed rush. Then, watch the USC linebackers. Notice how often they are out of position on play-action.
That’s where the game was won.
The Irish used USC’s aggressiveness against them. Every time the Trojans tried to over-pursue, Notre Dame hit them with a counter or a screen. It was beautiful in its simplicity.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Study the Box Score Differently: Look at "Yards Per Carry" on first down. Notre Dame’s average was staggering, which made the rest of their playbook wide open.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: Watch how many USC defensive players enter the portal after this. It will tell you a lot about the locker room culture.
- Follow the Strength Coaches: The physical disparity was the real story. Keep an eye on USC’s off-season conditioning program changes; if they don't change something, 2025 will look exactly the same.
- Evaluate the Playoff Seeding: See how the committee valued this win for Notre Dame. It’s a benchmark for how they view "Strength of Schedule" moving forward.
The 2024 chapter of this rivalry is closed, but the fallout is just beginning. Notre Dame is a powerhouse. USC is a question mark. That’s the reality.