But Helton betrays no public sign of worry about his future at the program he inherited in 2015, saying he has received unwavering support from Swann.Box Score (PDF) | Notre Dame Postgame Notes | Brian Kelly Post-Game Press Conference Transcript A 5-7 finish might force the hand of Swann, who handed a contract extension through 2023 to Helton earlier this year. NCAA sanctions were the only reason USC has missed a bowl game since 2000, the final year of coach Paul Hackett’s tenure before Carroll took over. MISSING OUT: This game could be the finale of Helton’s tenure just one year after the Trojans won the Pac-12. “Win the month of November” was among Notre Dame’s preseason goals, according to Kelly, and these Irish have been different: They’ve avoided all slip-ups down the stretch, holding off Pitt and Northwestern in narrow victories among a string of blowouts. They also lost twice in November 2013 after a 7-2 start. The Irish lost twice in November last year after an 8-1 start, and they lost their regular season finale to Stanford in 2015 after a 10-1 start. NOVEMBER BLUES: Notre Dame has a recent history of late-season slipups under coach Brian Kelly, dampening otherwise successful seasons. The Irish pulled out a difficult 22-13 victory to earn a spot in the BCS championship game. Notre Dame was in a similar situation in the 2012 rivalry game, heading into the Coliseum needing a victory to complete an undefeated season against a struggling USC squad under Lane Kiffin. But the Irish have won five of the last eight since Carroll left USC, including last year’s 49-14 laugher in South Bend. SHIFTING TIDES: The Trojans have won 11 of the last 16 meetings in this rivalry, including eight straight under Pete Carroll. USC has yielded 200 yards rushing three times during its current 1-4 skid. That could be a problem for the Trojans, who just gave up 289 yards rushing last week to UCLA’s Joshua Kelley. One week after nearly shutting out a Syracuse team averaging 44.4 points per game, Notre Dame’s defense will attempt to clamp down on Daniels and a USC offense ranked 11th in the Pac-12 with just 377.1 yards per game.ĭANGEROUS DEXTER: The USC defense must try to slow Notre Dame running back Dexter Williams, who has 844 yards in just seven games. The Irish are allowing just 321 yards per game, putting them in the top 20 in the nation. Here are more things to watch under the lights in Los Angeles:ĭOMINANT DEFENSE: USC’s offense has struggled down the stretch, and Notre Dame’s defense likely is its most formidable foe yet. We’re excited to go to LA and do our best.” “They have a lot to play for, but so do we. “Anytime anyone plays Notre Dame, we know we’re going to get their best,” Irish defensive tackle Jerry Tillery said. The Irish don’t see these unusual rivalry circumstances as anything they can’t handle - not with their ultimate goals in clear view. They’re playing for bowl eligibility - and they could be playing for Clay Helton’s job, depending on how seriously athletic director Lynn Swann is taking the complaints of the unsatisfied segment of USC’s fan base. The Trojans have plenty of motivation regardless of their opponent. “I’m just really excited to be in the environment and get to experience it.” 3 team in the country, and they’re always going to come out and play, especially when it’s the Trojans versus the Irish,” USC freshman quarterback J.T. They know there’s much more on the line than a playoff berth, or even the gloriously gaudy Jeweled Shillelagh, every year when these glamorous programs add a 90th chapter to their intersectional history.
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