Notre Dame Athletics | November 26, 2018 

LOS ANGELES —Undefeated.

The No. 3 Notre Dame football team knew an unblemished regular season wouldn't come easy against rival USC, even as the Trojans entered Saturday's primetime contest with a 5-6 record.

Indeed, the Irish had to overcome their largest deficit of the season (10 points), but finished on a 24-7 scoring run to leave the Los Angeles Coliseum with 24-17 victory and a 12-0 record.

It marked the first time* since 1988 that the Irish finished the regular season 12-0, and it was the third win for the Irish in their last five trips to USC. 

Quarterback Ian Book finished the game 22-39 for 352 yards and two touchdowns (one to Chris Finke, one to Tony Jones Jr.), while running back Dexter Williams netted 91 yards and a touchdown to lead the Irish offense.

Cornerback Julian Love finished with a career-high 12 tackles and a pass break-up, while safety Alohi Gilman had 10 tackles. Cornerback Troy Pride Jr., and linebacker Drue Tranquill each had nine tackles and a fumble recovery apiece.

How It Happened

The first half was marked by an inspired effort from USC, which clicked on both offense and defense to, at first, take a 10-0 lead — Notre Dame's biggest deficit of the season. The Trojans outgained the Irish 289-210 in the first half and kept Notre Dame off the scoreboard until just before halftime.

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