USC 45, Notre Dame 27 | Tuesday, November 29, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com
Collapse in the Coliseum Notre Dame ends season with 4-8 record after loss to rival USC in Los Angeles
MICHAEL YU | The Observer
Irish head coach Brian Kelly addresses his team on the field during halftime of Notre Dame’s 4-27 loss to USC in Los Angeles on Saturday. The Irish almost entered halftime trailing the Trojans by only three points, but two USC scores right before the break gave the hosts a 24-7 lead. Notre Dame was unable to overcome the 17-point defecit.
Kelly should be fired for program’s lack of character Ben Padanilam Associate Sports Edior
LOS ANGELES — As disappointing as this Notre Dame season was, it was exactly what this team deserved. Hell, considering the problems both on and off the field, four wins might have exceeded what this team was worthy of. Because at 4-7 and entering its final game of the season against a bitter rival, the Irish claimed all week that they were focused on beating USC. Forget a bowl game — this was their bowl game. But when it came time to deliver, they played like it was a game against Duke in September — a game they expected to win but deserved to lose. The attitude of this team was clear from the beginning. While the Trojans’ sideline was energized and invested in each and every play, the Irish side was stoic. Win or lose, the outcome didn’t see PADANILAM PAGE 2
By BEN PADANILAM Associate Sports Editor
LOS ANGELES — Close games can be won and lost in a matter of seconds. Notre Dame has been no stranger to this fact this season, as its first seven losses all came by a one-score margin. On Saturday against No. 12 USC, it was 17 seconds that decided the outcome. However, those 17 seconds turned a close contest into a sweeping defeat, as a three-point game became a three-possession affair just before the end of the first half in what ended up a 45-27 Trojans victory. “We’ve played in a lot of close ball games [this year],” Irish head coach Brian Kelly said. “Unfortunately today, special teams was a huge deciding factor in the game — gave up two touchdowns there to a very talented player, but we knew how talented he was going into the game. And the interception — anytime you give scores to a very, very good offense like USC, you’re going to pay for those mistakes, and, obviously,
those three scores put us at a huge disadvantage.” The deciding sequence of plays in the game began with 1:38 left in the first half, when Irish junior Tyler Newsome punted from his own end zone to that “very talented player” Kelly was talking about: Trojans junior defensive back Adoree’ Jackson, who returned the kick 55 yards for a touchdown. Then, just 17 seconds later, Irish junior quarterback DeShone Kizer threw an interception that Trojans redshirt sophomore defensive back Ajene Harris returned 33 yards for another score. And suddenly, what was once a 10-7 lead was now 24-7 in favor of the Trojans (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12). “I wish I could have that throw back, obviously,” Kizer said of the play. “I stepped up in the pocket, got aggressive on a ball that was a little late to the receiver, and they jumped it and returned it for six.” Prior to that stretch of play, USC had also begun the game with the momentum, as it started the
game’s scoring when redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Darnold led the offensive down the field on an 11play, 61-yard drive that was capped off by a 37-yard field goal by redshirt junior Matt Boermeester. But the Irish (4-8) were quick to respond, as sophomore running back Josh Adams took his first carry 74 yards before being knocked out of bounds at the 1-yard line. Kizer broke the plane on the next play and put Irish ahead, 7-3. USC returned the favor quickly, however, when the Trojans opened up a big hole and sophomore tailback Ronald Jones II scampered 51 yards untouched to give his team a 10-7 lead with 7:03 left in the first quarter. Both offenses stalled from that point on, however, as each team punted on its next two possessions. The Irish had an opportunity to tie the game up on their third possession following their previous score, but sophomore Justin Yoon missed the 37-yard attempt to keep the see MOMENTUM PAGE 3
Special teams miscues prove costly once again By MAREK MAZUREK Sports Editor
LOS ANGELES — There have been many defining features of Notre Dame’s 2016 season. Some are good, like a budding young receiving corps and consistent effort. Most are bad: Missed tackles, poor play calling and the habit of giving up leads have haunted the Irish all year long. Yet the most prevalent, and perhaps the most costly, blemish on the 2016 season was the special teams unit. Emphasis on the “was,” because Notre Dame’s season came to a forgettable end Saturday in Los Angeles. For the first time all year, the Irish lost a game by more than eight points, and poor special teams play was a big reason why. That fact was evident not only to Irish head coach Brian Kelly, but Trojan head coach Clay Helton, who also said the key to the Trojans’ victory came from their superior special teams play. see MISTAKES PAGE 3