Here are some game notes from usctrojans.com to digest after a few days of eating…
THE GREATEST INTERSECTIONAL RIVALRY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL• USC and Notre Dame…two renowned brands…two iconic football programs…it doesn’t get any better. • USC hosts the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 93rd meeting of the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football. It will be shown live nationally on ABC.• The game is a battle between schools with glorious gridiron heritages. The winner gets year-long possession of the jeweled Shillelagh. • By defeating UCLA, the Trojans have officially punched their ticket to Las Vegas to compete in the Pac-12 Championship Game. • In its last 10 games against the Irish, USC is 3-7. • USC is ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll and No. 5 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. • The AP No. 5 ranking is the highest by USC since 2017 when the Trojans were ranked No. 5 going into the Washington State game (fifth game of season).• In the second round of CFP Rankings, USC was No. 7. • The last time both teams were ranked for this matchup was 2017 when USC was No. 11 in the AP Poll and Notre Dame was No. 13.• The 10-1 start is USC’s best since the 2008 team started 10-1 and went on to finish 12-1 and defeated Penn State 38-24 in the Rose Bowl. • Lincoln Riley is one win away from tying the most victories in a debut season by a USC head coach, which was 11 by Howard Jones in 1925 and John Robinson in 1976.HE13SMAN• Leading Heisman candidate QB Caleb Williams continues to impress the nation with his dazzling performances.• Through 11 games, Williams has 33 TDs and 3 INTs. He is 250-for-385 (.649) for 3,480 yards. He has also rushed for 316 yards on 88 carries with 7 TDs.• Williams has accounted for 40 total touchdowns in 11 games at USC. • USC’s 5 consecutive games with 40 points or more are the most since the 2003 team had 7 consecutive 40+ point games.• Williams’ 316 rushing yards this year are the most by a USC QB since Troy Winslow had 319 in 1965, and he is 3 yards shy of the most by a Trojan QB in the last 70 years when complete records were first available (342 yards by Jim Sears in 1952; Sears played halfback but led USC in passing that season). • Williams is No. 3 in the nation in points responsible for per game (21.8). • He is No. 4 in the nation in passing TDs (33) and leads the Pac-12 in the stat. • He also is No. 4 in the nation in points responsible for (240) and total offense (345.1). • He’s No. 6 in the nation in passing yards (3,480) and passing yards per game (316.4). • Williams is No. 8 in the nation in passing yards per completion (13.92), No. 9 in the nation in passing efficiency (167.6) and No. 11 in the nation in yards per pass attempt (9.04).• USC is leads the nation in turnover margin (1.91) and turnovers lost (4). • It is No. 2 in the nation and No. 1 in the Pac-12 in total offense (513.0). • USC is No. 2 in the nation in 3rd down conversion percentage (.543). It is No. 3 in the nation and leads the Pac-12 in scoring offense (42.7). • USC is No. 4 in the nation in passing offense (330.8). USC is No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in the Pac-12 in team passing efficiency (168.47). USC also leads the Pac-12 Conference in passing yards per completion (13.89).• Williams is currently No. 12 on USC’s Single Season Passing Leaders list with 250 completions. He is on pace to become USC’s all-time single season passing leader. • Former Trojan Cody Kessler, currently holds the record for the lowest rate of interceptions in a season with 1.1% (5 in 452 attempts during the 2014 season). Williams is on pace to overtake that record since he is currently at 0.8% (3 in 385 attempts). • Williams is currently tied for highest passing efficiency rating in a single USC season with Kedon Slovis (2019) at 167.6.
