Notre Dame wins instant classic at USC, punches ticket to College Football Playoff

As Xavier Watts ran the other way with the football, an exhausted Christian Gray threw his hands up in the air.

Gray jogged toward the Notre Dame sideline and took a knee while Watts crossed the goal line as he had 2:11 earlier. Athletic trainers in blue-and-gold polos rushed out to check on him, but he waved them off. Gray wasn’t hurt. He needed a moment to reflect.

“I took a knee just to reel it all in,” Gray said. “Just knowing that we executed and balled out.”

USC picked on Gray during No. 5 Notre Dame’s Week 14 battle in Los Angeles. Redshirt junior Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava targeted him on four consecutive plays to end the first half, all resulting in receptions or a pass-interference penalty. He allowed 2 touchdowns to sophomore wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, as the Irish defense couldn’t quite close it out.

But with a 35-28 lead and the Trojans closing in on a game-tying score, Gray leaped, turned his shoulders and picked off Maiava’s pass at the 1-yard line. He returned it 99 yards to the house, all but sealing Notre Dame’s 10th-straight win.

The Irish beat USC 49-35 in an instant classic at LA Memorial Coliseum, finishing the regular season 11-1. Eighty-four days after losing to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff.

“We’re enjoying this thing,” Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said. “I know people want to ask about the future, but let’s enjoy this victory.”

Gray’s redemption embodied that victory. Notre Dame punched, got punched back and delivered the knockout blow.

The Irish began the afternoon with a fourth-and-short stop on a tackle by Gray and a methodical touchdown drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love. It looked like they might run away with a win, but senior wide receiver Jayden Thomas fumbled in Notre Dame territory. USC’s ensuing touchdown drive gave the Trojans life.

Toward the end of the first half, same thing: senior Irish quarterback Riley Leonard found junior tight end Eli Raridon for a 12-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead, but 35 seconds later, the Trojans were celebrating at the other end.

“We had some adversity, but they responded,” Freeman said. “14-14 at halftime, our guys came out of the locker room and responded. It was a sense of urgency that we didn’t have against Northern Illinois.”

With a 28-21 lead in the fourth quarter, Leonard evoked memories of NIU with a woefully under-thrown interception on a deep passing attempt. He called the throw “embarrassing,” but his defense picked him up.

USC faced a fourth-and-3 at the Irish 38-yard line, and Maiava saw sophomore wideout Makai Lemon open down the right side. He made an accurate throw, but Watts darted from center field and grabbed Lemon’s arms after the ball hit his hands to break up the pass.

Leonard jogged back onto the field and threw a tight-window dime to senior tight end Mitchell Evans for a 23-yard score.

“Boom, we throw the pick, defense gets a four-and-out,” Leonard said. “That’s what should be highlighted. And then we go down there, throw it up to Mitch Evans, he makes a great play. That’s what gives me a little bit of hope.”

Pick sixes from Gray and Watts — the latter’s going 100 yards — sealed the deal.

After the game, the Irish walked to the southeast corner of the Coliseum, joining arms as they sang their alma mater. The marching band didn’t travel, so it was up to the players, coaches, support staff and families to belt the words.

As soon as the song wrapped up, Freeman pumped his fist and shouted, “YEAH! WHOO!” as loudly as he physically could. This one meant everything to the third-year head coach.

“It’s hard to put into words, but it’s an unbelievable feeling,” Freeman said. “This is a special place.”

Notre Dame will host a first-round matchup against a to-be-determined opponent on Dec. 20 or 21. Next time the Irish sing the alma mater, they’ll have help.