Notre Dame builds 2-TD lead over USC entering 4th quarter in search of Playoff bid
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Notre Dame is in Los Angeles taking on USC in Week 14. The Fighting Irish are looking to close out the regular season with a win to secure their spot in the College Football Playoff.
Near the end of the 3rd quarter, the Irish were driving down the field with a 28-21 lead. Riley Leonard then found Mitchell Evans in the end zone for a 23-yard score. The pass was perfectly placed just above the hands of the leaping USC defender.
LEONARD TO EVANS! @NDFootball takes a two-score lead against USC. pic.twitter.com/ACuWb0rrzt
— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) November 30, 2024
The TD put the Irish up by 2 scores with a minute remaining in the 3rd quarter. With 14 minutes remaining in regulation, the Irish were still enjoying a 14-point lead.
To that point in the game, Leonard had been having an efficient showing. The QB completed 16 of his first 20 passes for 150 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT. The QB also rushed for 59 yards and 1 score.
If the Trojans hope to get to 7 wins, they’ll need to mount a ferocious 4th quarter comeback. The team secured bowl eligibility with a win over their arch-rival UCLA in Week 13.
The Irish, meanwhile, are looking to end the regular season with an 11-1 record. The team’s only blemish came in a loss to Northern Illinois back in September. Without a conference championship game, the Irish need to rack up all the regular season wins they can to secure a CFP birth.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
