Sep 26, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Notre Dame’s Atlantic Coast Conference affiliation has put its recent schedules in a state of flux, but two opponents remain constants.
One is Navy, which the Irish beat 41-24 last Saturday. The other is USC, this week’s foe.
And there’s more on the line as the team’s meet for the 86th time on Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium after the Trojans claimed a 49-14 victory last year in Southern California.
“This is certainly one that we look forward to each and every year,” said Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly. “After getting beat last year out there it’s been one that we have really set our eyes on in terms of wanting to eradicate that in our minds.”
But No. 14 Notre Dame (5-1) meets a Southern Cal team in disarray following the firing of head coach Steve Sarkisian.
“After careful consideration of what is in the best interest of the university and our student-athletes, I have made the decision to terminate Steve Sarkisian, effective immediately,” USC athletic director Pat Haden said in a statement on Sunday.
Offensive coordinator Clay Helton will oversee the Trojans (3-2, 1-2 Pac-12), who have lost two of their last three games.
Kelly said changes like USC’s upheaval can often inspire and bring a team together.
“Teams come together under those circumstances and they’re going to play their very best,” he said.
In the meantime, it’s business as usual for Notre Dame.
“In terms of offense, and defense, and special teams, they present challenges in all areas,” Kelly said. “We’re coming off of a very physical game against Navy, and our guys have to transition back now to preparing against a standard offense and a very good one in USC.”
Last Saturday, running back C.J. Prosise scored three times, including two after Navy fumbles, in last the Irish victory over the Midshipmen.
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
–RB C.J. Prosise now has nine rushing TDs this year, the most by an Irish ball carrier since 2011 when Jonas Gray had 12 and Cierre Wood had nine. He ran for three TDs last week against Navy.
–K Justin Yoon’s 52-yard field goal just before halftime matched the third longest in school history. Dave Reeve (1976 vs. Pittsburgh) and Kyle Brindza (2013 vs. Arizona State in Arlington, Texas) both had 53-yard field goals for the Irish.
–WR Will Fuller’s second-quarter TD catch was the 23rd of his career, moving him into sole possession of fourth place in school history. His 30-yard TD catch in the second quarter was his fifth this year of at least 30 yards.
–QB DeShone Kizer became the first Irish quarterback to rush for a TD in three straight games since Everett Golson in 2012). He’s now rushed and passed for a TD in each of Notre Dame’s last three games.
–DB Elijah Shumate’s interception of Navy QB Tago Smith with 6:14 left in the fourth quarter was the first non-Cole Luke interception for the Irish this season.
