The top-ranked, 5-0 Southern Cal Trojans of coach Pete Carroll traveled to South Bend for their annual battle with Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish of coach Charlie Weis stood 4-1 & ranked 9th nationally. Weis was in his first year as Head Coach having been the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots & had been dubbed this season’s “offensive genius” by many around the nation. Both teams played at a level indicative of champions but Southern Cal’s All-Pac 10 QB Matt Leinart was the difference in the game as his quarterback sneak for a touchdown gave the Trojans a hard fought 34-31 win for The Belt & the Jeweled Shillelagh. Southern Cal took the lead in the 1st quarter when Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Reggie Bush broke loose for a 36-yard touchdown run. Notre Dame responded with a 13-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 16-yard touchdown run by RB Travis Thomas to tie the game 7-7. The Trojans wasted little time in taking back the lead. Leinart connected with TE Dominique Byrd for a 52-yard completion to the Notre Dame 9-yard line & 2 plays later, RB LenDale White scored on a 3-yard touchdown run for a 14-7 advantage at the end of the 1st quarter. The 2ndquarter was all Notre Dame as QB Brady Quinn engineered a 10-play, 72-yard drive with the touchdown coming on a 32-yard pass to All-American WR Jeff Samardzija as the Fighting Irish tied the score at 14-14. Southern Cal was unable to move on their next drive & when Fighting Irish’s S Tom Zbikowski received the punt, he returned it 60 yards for the go ahead touchdown giving Notre Dame a 21-14 halftime edge. The 3rd quarter saw only one score coming when Bush broke loose for a 45-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 21-21. The Fighting Irish took back the lead with a 32-yard field goal from PK D.J. Fitzpatrick but when he missed a 35-yard field goal attempt, the momentum seemed to shift to the Trojans. Leinart led the 10-play, 80-yard drive with Bush scoring on a 9-yard touchdown run as Southern Cal took a 28-24 lead with just 5:09 to play in the game. The next drive saw Quinn establish himself as a Heisman Trophy candidate as he led an 8-play, 87-yard drive running the last 5 yards for the touchdown himself. On the drive, Quinn was 4 for 4 passing for 53 yards as the upset appeared eminent with just 2:04 to play & Notre Dame leading 31-28. From the Southern Cal 25-yard line, Leinart started what became a winning but controversial touchdown drive. Facing 4th & 9 from his own 26-yard line with just 1:32 left, Leinart called an audible pass for All-American WR Dwayne Jarrett who was streaking down the left sideline. Leinart hit him in stride & Jarrett had gained 61 yards before Fighting Irish’s CB Ambrose Wooden pulled him down at the Notre Dame 13-yard line. Four plays later, Leinart tried to run to the left & dive into the end zone but was stopped short of the goal-line but more importantly, he had fumbled the ball as he was hit but the ball went out of bounds while the clock continued to run. Carroll appealed for time to be put back & the officials agreed putting 0:07 on the clock, placing the ball inside the 1-yard line. Facing a 2nd down but only down by 3 points, many thought Leinart would simply spike the ball to stop the clock & give the Trojans a chance at the tying field goal. Instead, Leinart turned to Bush & called a quarterback sneak. Although stopped on the initial effort, Leinart got into the end zone when Bush helped to push him across with just 0:03 left for a 34-31 victory. Leinart finished with 301 yards passing, Bush added 160 yards rushing to his 3 touchdowns & Jarrett caught 4 passes for 101 yards. Quinn finished with 264 yards passing with a touchdown to lead the Fighting Irish. Southern Cal finished the season 12-1; Pac 10 Champions & ranked 2nd nationally while the Fighting Irish finished 9-3 & ranked 9th nationally. Notre Dame has not played for The Belt again.
Pickin' Splinters
Rochester's Independent Sports Source
I was there. It was heart-breaking, but absolutely one of the best games I’ve ever seen.
Unlike Wally, I had to watch on TV. I watched every minute – in fact I watched every minute of the entire season that year, the only time I ever managed that one. I agree with Wally; best game I ever saw. What I marveled at was that ND could stand toe-to-toe with USC. It was not one of those jump-out-to-a-freaky-big-early-lead-and-hang-on games. ND answered every USC challenge that day, until the clock ran out. Was it here on the pine that someone said Unweis’ signature win is a loss? Here in SB they are saying this will be his signature win if he pulls it off. Too bad he’ll get the signature. This will be a Jimmy Clausen win if it happens; the stuff of which legends are made.
GO IRISH! Beat Trojans!
Exceeded only by the epic Miami-ND battle in South Bend Oct 1988 which ND won 31-30. NOW THAT WAS THE GREATEST GAME I’VE EVER SEEN.
Still praying for the Irish … kickoff is still 2 and half hours away.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee (Irish) ….
blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy university (Clausen)!
Like many, I have never liked Jimmy Johnson, but you have to admire his willingness to go for the win rather than the tie. Did it (and lost a national championship) TWICE! But that game does not stick out in my mind as a great game so much as a good game with a great ending. However if you were there too Wally, then it probably gains a whole different perspective.
Holy Mary mother of God
Pray for us sinners (like Charlie and Tenuta) now since it is the hour of our death. Amen.