The Notre Dame Fighting Irish showed why they are one of the top teams in the country, dominating the No. 10 USC Trojans 48-20 in a game that was never in doubt. The Irish jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, handing the Trojans their first loss of the season.
The Irish offense was led by quarterback Ian Book, who threw for four touchdowns and ran for another. He was supported by a strong running game, which totaled over 200 yards on the ground. The Irish defense also played well, holding the Trojans to just 20 points and forcing three turnovers.
The Trojans had no answer for the Irish offense, which scored on seven of their nine possessions. USC quarterback Kedon Slovis threw for two touchdowns, but he was also intercepted twice and sacked four times. The Trojans were also unable to establish a consistent running game, finishing with just 56 yards on the ground.
The win was a statement from the Irish, who are now 8-0 on the season and firmly in control of their own destiny. They have now beaten three top-10 teams this season, including No. 3 Clemson and No. 7 North Carolina.
The loss was a major setback for the Trojans, who had been undefeated up until this point. They will now have to regroup and focus on their remaining games, which include a matchup with No. 11 Oregon next week.
Overall, it was a dominant performance from the Irish, who showed why they are one of the top teams in the country. With the win, they have firmly established themselves as a legitimate contender for the College Football Playoff.
