Southern Cal scored 49 unanswered points in the second half to defeat Notre Dame in 1974
Southern Cal Roars Back
November 30, 1974
Southern Cal 55 Notre Dame 24
Attendance 92,516
Disbelief is the only word I can use to describe what I saw on the sunlit grassy backdrop yesterday afternoon at the Coliseum. The Fighting Irish dominated all but the last minute of the first half, roaring to a 24-0 lead. The Trojans Pat Haden hit Anthony Davis on a short touchdown pass with 10 seconds to go in the opening half to begin the most exhilarating 17 minutes of football I and I am sure everyone in attendance have ever witnessed. Anthony Davis took the opening kickoff of the second half 102 yards for a touchdown and the Trojans went on to score 28 more points in the quarter as part of a 55 unanswered-point run over less than a 17 - minute span. Four Anthony Davis touchdowns and four Pat Haden touchdown passes were a significant part of this historic game that is now one day old and already assured of infamy. "I knew we had it won when we passed them," Davis said. "They were a crumbling team. I could see it in their eyes, `We turned into madmen.' And that's what we did. We turned into maniacs."
Final score USC routed Notre Dame 55-24. But the final score and the fact Notre Dame lost, was clearly overshadowed by the sheer pounding and overwhelming dominance of that 17 - minute fury. As a sportswriter, I am speechless, what more can I say. "If people don't know how good the Trojans are, I think they found out today," said Davis. Clearly an understatement.