Football

Five old Notre Dame Football photos for a Friday — Southern Cal

Bless your life with these rivalry images

By Joshua Vowles@TheSubwayDomer Oct 22, 2021, 6:57pm EDT

Coll. Football: Notre Dame’s Marc Edward — Marc Edwards killed a Trojan

Happy Friday everyone! I have access to thousands and thousands of Notre Dame Fighting Irish photos, and will never use a small fraction of those on this site. The thing is though — I want to, and I’m going to give it a solid shot as a way to bless the beginning of the weekend throughout the season.

The Irish get the USC Trojans back on the schedule and that means the Jeweled Shillelagh is back on the line. While the Irish have enjoyed great success against Southern Cal during the Brian Kelly era, we mustn’t discount the importance of this game. Bragging rights are certainly on the line, but also there’s a national respect that’s earned from trouncing your rival year in and year out. Plus... it definitely doesn’t hurt on the recruiting trail, as the Irish go head-to-head against USC for many of the top recruits in California.

Not in our house

Much like Purdue’s lying ass big drum — Traveler (USC’s horse) will not be allowed inside Notre Dame Stadium.

University of Southern California vs University of Notre Dame — College Football: USC mascot Trojan warrior aboard Traveler on sidelines during game vs Notre Dame at Los Angeles Memorial Colesium. Los Angeles, CA 12/1/1962

National Championships are on the line

Notre Dame and USC have a long history of being a key game that helps decide the eventual national champion. Here’s a goal line stand against the Trojans during the 1973 game. The Irish won 23-14 on their way to an 11-0 season and the second national championship during the Ara Parseghian era.

University of Notre Dame vs University of Southern California — College Football: Notre Dame defense in action, making goal line stand vs USC Anthony Davis (28) at Notre Dame Stadium. South Bend, IN 10/27/1973 CREDIT: Heinz Kluetmeier

Legends

Notre and USC throughout the year have had incredible matchups and incredible college football players. Of course, the quarterbacks have been legendary, and Joe Montana definitely added to that mythos.

Notre Dame University — SOUTH BEND, IN- CIRCA 1976-79: Quarterback Joe Montana #3 of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish throws the ball downfield against the University of Southern California Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, circa 1976-79.

Trying to forget — but I can’t

I made considerable effort to put a stopper on talk about the 2005 game. I’m over it — we don’t need to keep glorifying a loss. Notre Dame LOST that game, and fans still can’t stop gushing over it. I get it — it was a legendary game with multiple storylines, so it’s forgivable. And yet... here I am because Tommy Zbikowski is a fucking bad ass.

NCAA Football - USC vs Notre Dame - October 15, 2005 — Tom Zbikowski of the Notre Dame Irish is stopped on a punt return against the Southern California Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana on October 15, 2005. USC won 34-31.

The Brian Kelly turnaround

The Pete Carroll era at USC was rough for the Irish — and that’s being very kind. Brian Kelly’s time at Notre Dame has seen a massive turnaround in the rivalry. It’s a fair argument that Kelly’s top 3 wins against USC have all come on the road. He ended the losing streak in 2010, he finished an undefeated season for a BCS National Championship berth in 2012, and finished an undefeated season in 2018 for a spot in the college football playoff. Just saying... it’s been fun.