Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate hauls in a 45-yard touchdown pass from Jimmy Clausen in the first half as USC's Taylor Mays (2) and Josh Pinkard (36) try to defend. (Daily Star photo/BRYAN CLAPPER)

By SCOTT NOVAK

Niles Daily Star

NOTRE DAME, Ind.- The comeback kids of Notre Dame came up a play short against No. 6 ranked Southern California Saturday, falling 34-27.

For the second time this season, a true freshman was the thorn in the Fighting Irish’s side, as Matt Barkley went 19-of-29 for 380 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

But it was Joe McKnight’s 1-yard touchdown with 13:33 left in the fourth quarter that turned out to be the difference.

The win was the eighth straight for USC over Notre Dame and the fourth consecutive win at Notre Dame Stadium for the Trojans.

“We gave you something to hang around for,” USC coach Pete Carroll said following the game. “A good win for us obviously. Anytime you come here and win it’s good. Unfortunately the way it turned out, we kept giving opportunities back, let these guys hang around. They played great. I thought Notre Dame played a heck of a football game today. Made us go all the way to the end to hold onto it. That’s a good thing. It was a good game.”

The 25^th ranked Fighting Irish (4-2) trailed by 20 points following the McKnight touchdown, but Notre Dame didn’t give in and bounced back to score two touchdowns to get within 34-27.

On the ensuing drive, Jimmy Clausen led the Fighting Irish 68 yards in seven plays, scoring on a 2-yard run to cut the lead to 34-20 after Nick Tausch’s extra point attempt was blocked.

An interception of Barkley by Gary Gray and a 30-yard return on USC’s next possession, set up the Fighting Irish deep in USC territory.

Notre Dame capitalized on the turnover, covering the final 13 yards in three plays with Golden Tate hauling in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Clausen.

Notre Dame forced the Trojans to punt on the following possession and the Fighting Irish took the ball at its own 22-yard line and marched 74 yards in 17 plays down to the USC 4-yard line.

But three straight incomplete passes by Clausen, including the final one after one second was placed back on the clock, allowed the Trojans to escape with the victory.

“Well, anyone who doesn’t realize the fight that’s in the Fighting Irish is missing the boat,” Irish Coach Charlie Weis said. “If you haven’t watched the last five games, I mean, it’s every week the same thing.

“Would I like to not be in that situation? Ubetcha. But go all the way back to Michigan, every week, this team is a bunch of fighters. I’m proud of the fight. I’m disappointed with the losses. It’s never okay to lose. But they’re a bunch of fighters. Down three scores, about everyone in the house figured it’s probably time to throw in the towel. Not this group. No way. Not happening.”

While the final score was close, the statistics were not.

Southern Cal finished with 501 yards in total offense compared to 367 yards for the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame threw for 285 yards as Clausen, who had just 47 yards passing at halftime, finished the game 25-of-44.

“He’s a great football player,” Carroll said of Clausen. “We’ve known that since he was 14. You’re seeing the culmination of a career, all that here. He’s a great player. Fortunately we got out of here. This is the best he’s been. He’s extraordinary. You’re getting to see that. You guys are lucky to have him.”

The Fighting Irish only managed 82 yards on the ground against a strong USC defense.

The Trojans opened the scoring midway through the opening quarter when they drove 88 yards in five plays, scoring on a Barkley to Damian Williams 20-yard touchdown pass.

Barkley was 3-for-3 in the drive for 77 yards.

Notre Dame would answer with a nine play, 56-yard drive that resulted in a 7-7 deadlock.

The key play in the drive was a fake field goal attempt, in which holder Eric Maust hit an uncovered Robby Parris for a 25-yard gain down to the 2-yard line.

Robert Hughes then bulled his way into the end zone for the tying score.

USC would put up a couple of field goals in the second quarter, which was dominated by the two defenses.

Jordan Congdon connected from 24-yards out with 12:44 to play in the second quarter and then from 37-yards out with 7:10 to play in the half.

Despite a 2-to-1 advantage in total offense (247-121) in the first half, the Trojans were unable to find the end zone after the first quarter.

The Trojans scored a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter.

The first score put USC up 20-7 when Williams caught another Barkley touchdown pass, this one covering 41 yards.

The 13-point lead was short lived as Clausen hooked up with Golden Tate on a 45-yard scoring strike to make it 20-14 with 5:18 to play in the third quarter.

The Trojans responded in kind, driving 73 yards in five plays, scoring on a 3-yard Allen Bradford run.

From there the dramatics began.

USC 7 6 14 7 – 34

Notre Dame 7 0 7 13 – 27

USC – Damian Williams 20 pass from Matt Barkley (Jordan Congdon kick)

ND – Robert Hughes 2 run (Nick Tausch kick)

USC – Congdon 24 field goal

USC – Congdon 37 field goal

USC – Williams 41 pass from Barkley (Congdon kick)

ND – Golden Tate 45 pass from Clausen (Tausch kick)

USC – Allen Bradford 3 run (Congdon kick)

USC – Joe McKnight 1 run (Congdon kick)

ND – Clausen 2 run (kick blocked)

ND – Tate 15 pass from Clausen (Tausch kick)