USC Legends On Sidelines for USC vs. Notre Dame Rivalry Game

The No. 20 USC Trojans and No. 13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish met for the 96th time in South Bend, Indiana. Even for a road contest, USC had an stars of their own, with New York Yankees Manager Aaron Boone and former NFL linebacker Brian Cushing.

Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

For the 96th annual Jeweled Shillelegh matchup, the No. 20 USC Trojans hit the road to face the No. 13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend, Indiana.

In one of the most anticipated matchups of week 8, celebrity Trojan fans showed out to Notre Dame Stadium to support USC in the annual rivalry.

New York Yankees Manager Aaron Boone On USC Sidelines

Sep 27, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) argues with first base umpire Dan Iassogna (58) in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Trojans sidelines was home to New York Yankees Manager Aaron Boone prior to the USC vs, Notre Dame kickoff, seen wearing a USC bucket hat on the sidelines.

Boone, who's spent seven years as the Yankees manager, spent his collegiate baseball career at USC, where he spent three seasons in Los Angeles before moving onto the MLB.

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After college, Boone spent 12 seasons across the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Cleveland Guardians, Washington Nationals, and Houston Astros. Boones most iconic moment in the MLB was a walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS vs. the Boston Red Sox.

Since Boone was named the manager of the Yankees in 2018, he has led the Yankees to seven playoff appearances, 94 wins and a World Series appearance in 2024.

Boone played for the Trojans from 1992-94, and spent 174 games in the cardinal and gold. He hit for a .299 batting average in three seasons as well as 94 RBIs and 199 hits.

The third basemen from La Mesa, California helped send the Trojans to two consecutive College World Series appearances in 1993 and 1994, but would fall in both as runner-ups.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone here on the #USC sideline supporting his Trojans: pic.twitter.com/7DuvXylqoQ

— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) October 18, 2025

USC Football Legend Brian Cushing Supports Trojans In South Bend

Sep 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing (56) before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

One of USC Football's very own pulled up to the top 25 matchup in South Bend, with former USC linebacker Brian Cushing on the sidelines in South Bend.

Cushing was one of USC's most notable linebackers in the legendary USC coach Pete Carroll era, finishing his collegiate career with 177 total tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles. The Park Ridge, New Jersey native was also apart of Carroll's national championship team in 2005 as a true freshman.

.@uscfb legend @briancushing56 is at Notre Dame to support the Trojans! pic.twitter.com/CkTarVl719

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) October 19, 2025

In 2007, Cushing was named 2007 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP, alongside Dwayne Jarrett who was named Offensive MVP, in the Trojans win over the Michigan Wolverines.

Jan 1, 2007; Pasadena, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans linebacker (10) Brian Cushing and wide receiver (8) Dwayne Jarrett hold a trophy after defeating the Michigan Wolverines in the Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Cushing was the defensive player of the game while Jarrett was the offensive player of the game. Southern California defeated Michigan 32-18. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Copyright © 2007 Mark J. Rebilas | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Following Cushing's four seasons with the Trojans, he declared for the 2009 NFL Draft, and was selected as the 15th overall pick by the Houston Texans. Cushing went on to play all nine of his professional seasons in Houston.

After his retirement in 2017, Cushing finished his time with 665 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and eight interceptions.

USC came into the game as a big underdog and are currently in a close game as the fourth quarter gets underway. The Trojans are down to the Irish, 27-24.