Players of the Game From The Notre Dame Win Over USC

Notre Dame improved to 6-2 with a blowout victory over previously unbeaten USC. Notre Dame controlled action from start to finish in the 48-20 victory.

There were a lot of standouts in the win, especially on defense, but three players stood above the rest.

OFFENSE - Sam Hartman, Quarterback

Stats: 13-20, 65%, 126 yards, 2 TD's, 0 INT - 12 rush yards
Runners Up: RB Audric Estime, WR Chris Tyree

This wasn't a very sexy game from Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman, or the rest of the offense, but Hartman symbolized this unit. He did what he needed to do. Hartman made a tough third-down throw on the opening drive, which converted an interception by the Irish defense into a touchdown.

Later in the game, with the Irish leading 17-3, they had a chance to really put some serious distance between them and USC. Hartman kicked the drive off with a perfect Cover 2 whole throw to Rico Flores Jr. for 24 yards, and he scrambled for 12 more on the next throw, setting up the Audric Estime touchdown run.

USC tried to claw back in the third quarter, closing it to 24-13. Notre Dame needed an answer and that's what they got. Hartman completed an 8-yard pass to tight end Mitchell Evans to move the chains, and once the Irish got past midfield, Hartman let loose with his best ball of the night to Chris Tyree for a 46-yard touchdown that all but put the game away.

DEFENSE - Xavier Watts, Safety

Stats: 7 tackles, 2 INT, 1 fumble recovery, 1 break up, 1 TD
Runners Up: LB JD Bertrand, CB Cam Hart, DT Rylie Mills

There were a number of stars for the Notre Dame defense, and at least four players made a claim to be the player of the game. No one, however, made the overall impact that Xavier Watts did in this victory. It was a truly special performance by the Irish safety.

Watts kicked things off with an interception of an overthrown ball on the first series of the game. He returned the ball 38 yards to the Irish 13-yard line, setting up the first touchdown of the game. His second interception was returned 23 yards to the Notre Dame 2-yard line to set up another Irish touchdown.

Watts decided to do it himself in the fourth quarter, putting the finishing touches on the win with a 15-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

Him earning this honor isn't just about the turnovers. Watts was active all night long. He was flying into the alleys and was a driving force in keeping USC's perimeter runs in check. It was a truly impressive all-around performance for Watts, and he was the brightest of several stars for the Irish defense.

SPECIAL TEAMS - Jadarian Price, Running Back

Stats: 1 return, 99 yards, 1 TD
Runners Up: P Bryce McFerson, RB Devyn Ford

When USC scored to make it a 31-20 game I got a bit nervous, I won't lie about that. When Caleb Williams is on the other sideline and there is still nine minutes left in the game there was still a chance for things to go south for Notre Dame.

Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price made sure that didn't happen. The return unit opened up an initial hole and Price exploded through it. He then showed the vision to cut it back, and once he got a crease his speed took over.

This was a huge moment for Notre Dame, and his touchdown truly put the game away. There was zero chance USC was going to come back after his touchdown. It was a clutch return in a big moment of a big game, and that's why Price gets the honor here.

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