Five things we learned in USC's victory over Notre Dame

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USC tailback Javorius Allen breaks into the Notre Dame secondary for the Trojans in November. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC tailback Justin Davis carries the ball during the first quarter of the game against Notre Dame. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor sprints through the Notre Dame defense on his way to scoring a touchdown during the second quarter on Saturday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC quarterback Cody Kessler throws a pass during a 49-14 win over Notre Dame. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor, right, plows over Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith to score a touchdown during the second quarter of Saturday’s game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson, left, throws an interception while being hit by USC linebacker J.R. Tavai during the second quarter of Saturday’s game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC linebacker Hayes Pullard intercepts a pass from Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson (not pictured) during the second quarter of Saturday’s game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC tailback Javorius Allen is tackled by Notre Dame safety Elijah Shumate during the second quarter of Saturday’s game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC teammates Scott Felix, left, and J.R. Tavai, center, pull down Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire during the Trojans’ 49-14 win Saturday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC players take to the field before Saturday’s game against Notre Dame. (Harry How / Getty Images)

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USC wide receiver George Farmer, scores on a touchdown reception ahead of Notre Dame cornerback Cole Luke during a Nov. 29 game at the Coliseum. (Harry How / Getty Images)

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USC wide receiver George Farmer runs for a touchdown during a 49-14 victory over Notre Dame. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC wide receiver George Farmer, right, scores a touchdown ahead of Notre Dame cornerback Cole Luke during the first quarter of Saturday’s game. (Harry How / Getty Images)

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USC tailback Justin Davis dives for extra yards during the second quarter of the Trojans’ 49-14 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC wide receiver George Farmer, center, is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a first-quarter touchdown Saturday against Notre Dame. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC linebacker Grant Moore, right, dives to sack Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golston during the first quarter of Saturday’s game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC safety John Plattenberg, left, chases Notre Dame running back Greg Bryant during the fourth quarter of the Trojans’ 49-14 victory Saturday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC Coach Steve Sarkisian watches from the sideline during the closing moments of the Trojans’ 49-14 win over Notre Dame on Nov. 29. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC free safety Gerald Bowman, center, intercepts a pass intended by Notre Dame receiver Corey Robinson during the second quarter of Saturday’s game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC safety Gerald Bowman celebrates with teammates and team staff after intercepting a pass in the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Notre Dame. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC Coach Steve Sarkisian smiles while standing on the sideline next to quarterbacks Max Browne, center, and Cody Kessler during the closing moments of a 49-14 win over Notre Dame on Saturday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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USC quarterback Cody Kessler throws this third touchdown pass of the game in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Notre Dame. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

By Lindsey Thiry

Nov. 30, 2014 8:36 AM PT

USC defeated Notre Dame, 49-14, on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Here are five things we learned in the Trojans’ victory.

Bounce-back ability

UCLA routed USC last week, 38-20, in a rivalry game, and the question was whether the Trojans would be motivated for another rivalry game.

But a convincing 49-14 victory over Notre Dame proved that this team has a great ability to bounce back.

USC was defeated four times this season, but came back with a victory after each loss.

Kessler rebounds

Quarterback Cody Kessler proved his resiliency after he struggled against UCLA.

Kessler completed a career-best 32 passes for 372 yards and six touchdowns – the most touchdowns ever thrown against Notre Dame.

Criticized last week for targeting Nelson Agholor too much, Kessler completed passes to nine receivers, five of whom caught passes for touchdowns.

Farmer was underutilized

USC coaches have said George Farmer is the fastest player on the team.

He proved his speed against the Fighting Irish.

Twice, Farmer beat his defender off the line of scrimmage for receptions that resulted in touchdowns.

The first was a 48-yard pass play from Kessler that gave USC a 7-0 lead. The second was a 31-yard reception that put the Trojans up 21-0.

Farmer caught four passes for 85 yards.

His performance begs the question: Why wasn’t he targeted more this season?

Up-tempo is possible

For the first time since the opener against Fresno State, USC’s offense operated at an up-tempo pace.

USC has been a no-huddle team all season, but rarely did the offense move fast enough to keep a defense off balance.

Notre Dame’s defense struggled to get set most of the game and gave up 577 yards.

Tough to replace

Linebackers J.R. Tavai and Hayes Pullard are crucial players on defense and proved their skill will be difficult to replace.

Tavai made 4.5 tackles for a loss, including 3.5 sacks, and forced a fumble. He kept the pressure on Notre Dame quarterbacks Everett Golson and Malik Zaire the entire game.

Pullard recovered a fumble and broke up a pass.

Questions about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.