When you win the LOS on both sides of the ball, it's a winning recipe. The offense doing it wasn't a complete surprise, but the defensive line without Gabe Rubio doing it? Very impressive. They were quick off the ball all night, and very stout in the middle. Hughes, Dawson, Onye and Hinish got it done against the run, and the pass rush got better and better as the game went on.
The offensive line had a very good night as well - Schrauth was a beast out there, and I was hoping that the last knee injury was him knee knocking with the USC DT on that play. Big ups to Joe Otting - he was terrific in run blocking tonight, and held up well enough in the passing game. Also clean snapping in the second half, which was huge given the wet conditions.
Love was a man possessed tonight - fast, strong, determined. Watching the USC DBs jaw jack him when he was destroying them was pure clown shoes. Price once again showed that he is simply electric with the ball in his hands. That kick return had no right to go the distance, but his explosion is something to behold. Tremendous game by the dynamic duo.
CJ Carr looked like a freshman tonight. He was jittery, not in control of his emotions, and not accurate with the football. Truthfully, they won in spite of his play tonight. He needs to take a deep breath and let things slow down a little bit.
Christian Gray gets a lot of grief from people, and he does give up some plays. He is a little grabby in coverage. But, the kid is an absolute fighter out there, and it was great to see him get the interception that signaled the game flipping in Notre Dame's favor. He is one of my favorite player's on the team, and it's because of him being so flawed yet so tough and determined.
The kicking game - woof. Good thing that the defense held up when they needed to, because those lost points could have been a killer.
ND should have won this by three touchdowns. And, in spite of being so sloppy and the QB having his pot hole game tonight, they still won by double digits. F USC. Let's goooooooooooooooo!!!!!!