### Notre Dame Triumphs Over USC: A Historic Rivalry Renewed The No. 13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish secured a significant victory against the No. 20 USC Trojans with a score of 34-24 on October 18, 2025. This win not only marked Notre Dame's fifth consecutive victory after an initial 0-2 start but also served as a critical statement in the College Football Playoff race. Key performances from running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price were pivotal, with Love rushing for a career-high 228 yards and Price contributing a remarkable 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter, which shifted the momentum in favor of the Fighting Irish [https://abc7chicago.com/post/price-love-spark-no-13-notre-dame-past-20-southern-california-34-24/18035899][https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6729710/2025/10/18/notre-dame-usc-score-recap-football]. ### Breakdown of the Game's Key Elements 1. **Game Overview** - Notre Dame's victory over USC was characterized by strong offensive performances, particularly from Love and Price. - The game was played in South Bend, Indiana, under challenging weather conditions. 2. **Player Highlights** - **Jeremiyah Love**: Rushed for 228 yards on 24 carries, scoring one touchdown, showcasing his potential as a Heisman candidate [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6729710/2025/10/18/notre-dame-usc-score-recap-football]. - **Jadarian Price**: Scored on a 100-yard kickoff return and added 87 rushing yards and another touchdown [https://abc7chicago.com/post/price-love-spark-no-13-notre-dame-past-20-southern-california-34-24/18035899]. 3. **Game Dynamics** - USC initially took the lead, but Notre Dame responded effectively, with Price's kickoff return being a turning point [https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/price-love-spark-no-13-notre-dame-past-no-20-southern-california-3424]. - The Fighting Irish's defense held strong, limiting USC's scoring opportunities, despite the Trojans' quarterback Jayden Maiava throwing for 328 yards [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/jeremiyah_loves_career_day_helps_no_13_notre_dame_run_past_no_20_usc/s1_17047_42922517]. ### Supporting Data and Statistics - **Key Player Statistics**: - **Jeremiyah Love**: 24 carries, 228 yards, 1 touchdown. - **Jadarian Price**: 100-yard kickoff return, 87 rushing yards, 1 touchdown. - **CJ Carr (Notre Dame QB)**: 16 completions on 26 attempts, 136 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception. - **Jayden Maiava (USC QB)**: 22 completions on 42 attempts, 328 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions [https://usctrojans.com/news/2025/10/19/usc-trojans-football-game-recap-associated-press-ap-notre-dame-fighting-irish-jayden-maiava-jakobi-lane][https://www.fox32chicago.com/sports/what-we-learned-about-notre-dame-football-its-gut-check-win-over-usc]. ### Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Notre Dame In summary, **Notre Dame's victory over USC not only enhances their standing in the College Football Playoff race but also highlights the exceptional talents of their running back duo, Love and Price**. This game serves as a testament to the Fighting Irish's resilience and capability to perform under pressure, especially after a rocky start to the season. The combination of strategic plays and standout performances has positioned Notre Dame as a formidable contender moving forward in the season [https://abc7chicago.com/post/talented-marcus-freeman-hails-jeremiyah-love-jadarian-price-duo/18036362][https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/usc-vs-notre-dame-live-updates-score-result-college-football-week-8/I3ekgvlkcj3w].