USC vs. Notre Dame

USC center Khaled Holmes helps quarterback Max Wittek to his feet after the final play of the game Saturday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson celebrates after the Irish defeated the USC Trojans, 22-13, on Saturday night at the Coliseum.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Notre Dame safety Zeke Motta leaps over USC fullback Soma Vainuku after he couldn’t hang onto a fourth-down pass on the Trojans’ final possession of the game Saturday.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

USC Coach Lane Kiffin watches as his team falls to 7-5 with a 22-13 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Notre Dame running back Theo Riddick breaks into the USC secondary during a late drive Saturday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Notre Dame running back George Atkinson III returns a kickoff 39 yards in the fourth quarter with USC linebacker Tony Burnett in pursuit Saturday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly asks an official for clarification on a call in the second half Saturday.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Notre Dame running back Theo Riddick evades the diving tackle attempt by USC linebacker Hayes Pullard in the second half Saturday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Trojans quarterback Max Wittek is sacked by Irish defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore in the third quarter Saturday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Irish running back Theo Riddck catches a pass against Trojans linebacker Lamar Dawson during their game Saturday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Notre Dame cornerback KeiVarae Russell is lifted into the air by teammates after intercepting a USC pass in the second quarter Saturday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

USC linebacker Dion Bailey (18) and cornerback Nickell Robey break up a pass intended for Notre Dame receiver Robby Toma in the second quarter Saturday at the Coliseum.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC running back Silas Redd is brought down by Notre Dame cornerbacks KeiVarae Russell (left) and Bennett Jackson after a big gain in the second quarter Saturday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Notre Dame receiver T.J. Jones makes the catch despite the defense of USC linebacker Lamar Dawson in the first half Saturday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Irish cornerback KeiVarae Russell makes an interception on a pass intended for Trojans receiver Marqise Lee in the second quarter Saturday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Trojans running back Silas Redd is stopped by Irish safety Matthias Farley after gaining yardage in the first half Saturday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Notre Dame receiver John Goodman bobbles the ball after a hit by USC safety Josh Shaw but made the catch in the first half Saturday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

USC receiver Robert Woods catchs a 11-yard touchdown pass against Notre Dame cornerback Bennett Jackson in the second quarter Saturday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC quarterback Max Wittek (13) celebrates with receiver Marqise Lee (9) after throwing a touchdown strike to Robert Woods in the second quarter Saturday.  (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

USC running back Silas Redd breaks into the Notre Dame secondary for a big gain in the second quarter Saturday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Notre Dame receiver Robby Toma leaps over running back Theo Riddick after he scored against USC in the first half Saturday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Irish running back Theo Riddick gets a bear hug from center Braxston Cave after scoring against USC in the first half Saturday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Trojans cornerback Nickell Robey prevents Irish receiver T.J. Jones from making a catch during their game Saturday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Irish cornerback Bennett Jackson grabs the facemask of Trojans receiver Marqise Lee after a reception in the first quarter Saturday. Jackson was penalized on the play.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood picks up yardage before USC safety Jawanza Starling (29) and linebacker Lamar Dawson (55) can tackle him.  (Harry How / Getty Images)

Irish running back Theo Riddick dives into the end zone ahead of Trojans defenders Hayes Pullard (10), Jawanza Starling (29) and Lamar Dawson (55) in the first half Saturday.  (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

Coaches Lane Kiffin of USC and Brian Kelly of Notre Dame chat during warmups Saturday at the Coliseum.   (Danny Moloshok, / Associated Press)

USC quarterback Matt Barkley is introduced along with other seniors before the game against Notre Dame.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Max Wittek warms up before the game against Notre Dame on Saturday evening at the Coliseum.   (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)