The rivalry between Notre Dame and Southern California has been lopsided of late and has been lopsided for each team over different periods. From 1940 through 1961 the Irish compiled a 15-3-1 record in the series. From 1967 through 1982, the Trojans dominated by going 12-2-2. Then from 1983 through 1995, Notre Dame went a stunning 12-0-1. And now, of course, USC is on a seven-game series win streak. Despite such dominance a number of the match-ups of the past have been compelling struggles between programs with such storied histories. One game that went down to the wire was the Southern California-Notre Dame clash from 1978 that featured the defending national champion Irish and a Trojan team that would go on to share the title that year with Alabama. Here is the recap of the game played on November 25, 1978 from The USA Today College Football Encyclopedia:
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 27 Notre Dame 25: One of the finest finishes in the storied rivalry followed 3 Qs of domination by Trojans (10-1). Entering 4th Q with 24-6 lead, USC was on 96y march to finish off Irish. But, ND held, forcing short FG ATT that K Frank Jordan missed. QB Joe Montana (20-41/358y, INT), “Comeback Kid” for Notre Dame (8-3), sparked 19 straight pts, hitting WR Kris Haines (9/179y) for 57y TD, completing 4 to Haines to set up 1y TD run by FB Pete Buchanan, and throwing go-ahead 2y TD to WR Pete Holohan with 46 secs left. Irish led 25-24 and nearly ended it on USC’s 2nd play after KO as DT Jeff Weston recovered what appeared to be FUM by QB Paul McDonald (17-29/281y, 2 TDs). Controversial play was ruled incomplete pass. WR Calvin Sweeney (5/105y) then caught 35y pass, and TB Charles White (37/205y) gained 5y before Jordan booted winning 37y FG. USC gained 538y, most ever allowed to date by Notre Dame.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 27 Notre Dame 25: One of the finest finishes in the storied rivalry followed 3 Qs of domination by Trojans (10-1). Entering 4th Q with 24-6 lead, USC was on 96y march to finish off Irish. But, ND held, forcing short FG ATT that K Frank Jordan missed. QB Joe Montana (20-41/358y, INT), “Comeback Kid” for Notre Dame (8-3), sparked 19 straight pts, hitting WR Kris Haines (9/179y) for 57y TD, completing 4 to Haines to set up 1y TD run by FB Pete Buchanan, and throwing go-ahead 2y TD to WR Pete Holohan with 46 secs left. Irish led 25-24 and nearly ended it on USC’s 2nd play after KO as DT Jeff Weston recovered what appeared to be FUM by QB Paul McDonald (17-29/281y, 2 TDs). Controversial play was ruled incomplete pass. WR Calvin Sweeney (5/105y) then caught 35y pass, and TB Charles White (37/205y) gained 5y before Jordan booted winning 37y FG. USC gained 538y, most ever allowed to date by Notre Dame.
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