Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1530074
18 DECEMBER 2024 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY JACK SOBLE AND TYLER HORKA A s Xavier Watts ran the other way with the football, an exhausted Christian Gray threw his hands up in the air. Gray jogged toward the Notre Dame sideline and took a knee while Watts crossed the goal line as he had 2:21 ear- lier. Athletic trainers in blue-and-gold polos rushed out to check on him, but he waved them off. Gray wasn't hurt. He needed a moment to reflect. "I took a knee just to reel it all in," Gray said. "Just knowing that we ex- ecuted and balled out." USC picked on Gray during No. 5 Notre Dame's Week 14 battle in Los Angeles. Trojans redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava targeted him on four consecutive plays to end the first half, all resulting in receptions or a pass interference penalty. He allowed 2 touchdowns to sophomore wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane while the Irish defense couldn't quite close it out. But with a 35-28 lead and the Trojans closing in on a game-tying score, Gray leaped, turned his shoulders and picked off Maiava's pass at the 1-yard line. He returned it 99 yards to the house, all but sealing Notre Dame's 10th straight win. The Irish beat USC 49-35 in an in- stant classic at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, finishing the regular season 11-1. Eighty-four days after losing to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff. "We're enjoying this thing," Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said. "I know people want to ask about the fu- ture, but let's enjoy this victory." TICKET PUNCHED Notre Dame holds on to win at USC, 49-35, to clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff Sophomore cornerback Christian Gray (No. 29 above) and graduate student safety Xavier Watts had interception return touchdowns of 99 and 100 yards, respectively, in the final four minutes of the game to secure the win over the Trojans. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER