Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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GAME PREVIEW: USC BY LOU SOMOGYI PASSING FANCY Since the 50-43 victory versus North Carolina Oct. 11, Notre Dame's pass defense has been under siege. Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Wil- liams completed 24 of 41 passes for 303 yards with two scores, comple- menting it with his 132 rushing yards off many scrambles. Florida State's Jameis Winston was virtually flawless in the second half versus the Irish in a 31-27, come-from- behind victory. He connected on 15 of 16 attempts for 181 yards with a score, while constantly getting the pass off just in time during a blitz and finding his hot receiver. In its 49-39 defeat to Notre Dame Nov. 1, Navy used the pass only as an auxiliary element — but its six completions averaged 19.7 yards and included two scores. Arizona State's Taylor Kelly me- thodically moved the Sun Devils of- fense by completing 17 of 28 throws for 224 yards with three scores in ASU's 55-31 victory Nov. 8. Northwestern's Trevor Siemian also used the quick step drops to complete 30 of 48 passes for 284 yards with a score, with the Wildcats more than doubling their 19.0 scoring average in the 43-40 overtime win Nov. 15. Yet the most potent and efficient air strike Notre Dame might be facing this year is the one at USC, especially when complemented by 1,000-yard rusher Javorius Allen (who also has snared 32 passes for 383 yards). Entering last weekend's game ver- sus cross-town rival UCLA, redshirt junior quarterback Cody Kessler ranked fourth nationally in passing efficiency with a 171.6 rating. To put that into perspective, consider that in 2009 Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen was at 161.4, barely breaking the 60- year single-season school standard set by College Football Hall of Fame inductee Bob Williams. That year, TOP STOrylineS Steve Sarkisian will attempt to become only the third USC head coach to defeat the Irish in his first season. PHOTO COURTESY USC ATHLETICS