Notre Dame's defense set the tone early, intercepting USC quarterback Caleb Williams on the game's first drive. The Irish defense continued to pressure Williams all night, adding another interception in the second quarter and a third in the fourth quarter.
"We knew we had to create turnovers to have a chance in this game," said Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. "Our defense stepped up big tonight and made some game-changing plays."
Notre Dame's offense also contributed to the victory, scoring on three of its first four drives. Quarterback Drew Pyne threw for 222 yards and a touchdown, while running back Audric Estime rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
"Our offense played efficiently and did what we needed to do," said Pyne. "We took advantage of the turnovers our defense gave us and put points on the board."
USC struggled offensively all night, failing to find a rhythm against Notre Dame's aggressive defense. Williams was under constant pressure and finished with 195 yards passing and three interceptions.
"We made too many mistakes tonight," said USC head coach Lincoln Riley. "We couldn't protect the ball, and Notre Dame took advantage of that. We have a lot to work on."
The victory gives Notre Dame a 2-0 record and a boost of confidence heading into ACC play. USC falls to 1-1 and faces a challenging road ahead in the Pac-12.
"This is a huge win for our program," said Freeman. "We're building something special here, and this victory shows that we're headed in the right direction."
Notre Dame's upset victory over USC was a testament to the Irish defense's dominance and their ability to capitalize on turnovers. The Irish will look to continue their momentum next Saturday when they travel to face Cal, while USC will try to rebound against Fresno State.