By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Visiting University of Southern California left Notre Dame &#8221green“; with envy Saturday night.
The two-time defending national champion and No. 1 ranked Trojans nipped the Fighting Irish 34-31 before a capacity crowd at Notre Dame Stadium.
Notre Dame, which came out in its green jerseys after warming up in their traditional blue uniforms, gave the top-ranked Trojans everything they wanted before falling in dramatic fashion.
Notre Dame (4-2) took a 31-28 lead on a Brady Quinn touchdown with just over two minutes left to play.
But led by Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, the Trojans went the length of the football field in the final 1:58 to score the victory.
Notre Dame twice looked to have the game won.
After sacking Leinart on second down, Southern California faced a fourth and nine deep in their own end of the field.
Leinart hit Dwayne Jarrett for a 61-yard drive-saving pass after calling an audible.
After Heisman Trophy candidate Reggie Bush, who scored three touchdowns and rushed for 160 yards, gave the Trojans a first down at the two-yard line, Leinart dropped back to pass but was forced to run.
Leinart dove for the endzone but was blasted by the Notre Dame defense which forced a fumble that flew out of bounds.
Despite the officials waving to stop the clock, it continued to tick off the last seven seconds which led to the fans storming the field to begin the victory celebration for the Fighting Irish.
The officials gathered together and reset the clock, giving Southern California, which had no time outs, one last shot at saving its season and continuing its 27-game winning streak.
Instead of spiking the football, Leinart turned to Bush and asked if he should go for it. Bush told him to and the play was set.
Leinart was stacked up at the goal line, but with Bush pushing him from behind, his second effort got him in to the endzone for the game-winning touchdown.
&#8221Matt Leinart has the choice on that play to either spike it or go for the quarterback sneak,“; USC coach Pete Carroll said. &#8221We were telling him from the sideline to go for it. He didn't think he could make it and he turned to Reggie Bush and Reggie said go for it. He wasn't all that confident he could do it, but he snapped the ball and made it.“;
The winning drive erased the fact that Notre Dame drove the length of the field to reclaim the lead on a five-yard run by Quinn.
In the end, however, first-year Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis has lost his first two games at home, something that has never been done before.
Weis liked the way his team played against the top-ranked Trojans, but said that a loss is a loss.
Southern California (6-0) took a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter when Bush scored on a 36-yard run.
The Irish came back to tie the game at 7-7 when Travis Thomas scored on a 16-yard run.
The Trojans answered back with a three-yard run by LenDale White.
A pair of second quarter touchdowns by the Fighting Irish gave Notre Dame a 21-14 halftime lead and all the momentum heading into the second half.
Jeff Samardzija scored on a 32-yard toss from Quinn, while Tom Zbikowski scored on a 60-yard punt return.
Zbikowski was able to reach the endzone after stepping through three would-be Trojan tacklers.
Southern California answered the challenged in the second half as it took the opening drive and scored on a 45-yard Bush touchdown run to knot the game at 21.
A D.J. Fitzpatrick 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter gave Notre Dame a 24-21 lead.
Fitzpatrick would later have a chance to extend the Irish lead, however, his kick sailed just wide and left Notre Dame with a slim three-point cushion.
That miss set up the dramatics of the final six minutes of what was being termed one of the all-time great games in college football.
The Trojans finished with 476 yards in total offense, well under their season average of better than 600 yards.
Bush finished with 160 yards on 15 carries with a career-high three rushing touchdowns.
Leinart was 17-of-32 for 301 yards with two interceptions.
Notre Dame finished with 417 yards in total offense led by Quinn who was 19-of-35 for 264 yards and an interception.
Darius Walker rushed for 72 yards on 19 carries. Thomas finished with 52 yards on 18 totes.
The Fighting Irish are looking to rebound on Saturday when they host Brigham Young University.