welcome to Notre Dame Stadium where they will shake down Thunder from the sky to cheer on their Fighting Irish and hoping that plenty of Echoes will reverberate in Victory at the end of the game little gets the blood boiling quite like a rivalry game barbs shots trash talk things that go on throughout the week will now all be settled on this field as we'll see the number 25 team in the country the USC Trojans taking on the eighth rank team in the land the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for EA Sports college football I'm ree Davis joined here in the booth by David Pollock and Jesse Palmer and guys let's get this thing started and the Trojans will kick it away to start us off he'll bring it out it's price he was looking for some Running Room but not much to be found as he stopped at the 18 the Irish offense will take the field to start this game so much history and pageantry in this rivalry guys but the trophy the juwel chele is a little bit under the radar it is it's beautiful to look at but I think people are always just focused on these two blue blood programs Notre Dame USC this is intercon national championship and Heisman implications seemingly always on the line late in the year when these two teams play always so cool Coast to Coast something matters something on the line you're right this game is always fun to watch the JW shalele to the air it's Leonard out of the back field he's open and a good job in coverage there as they stop it after just a few there have been many memorable games in this rivalry it was memorable for Notre Dame last year not so much for SC as the Trojans got blown out no and Notre Dame is a team that we've seen in the playoff in recent years and they want to get there consistently to do that he's Off to the Races he will step out of bounds but not before the big pick up and a first down for this offense I mean these quarterbacks nowadays can run so fast think about who you've got chasing him defensive linemen those big old defensive tackles defensive ends linebackers they can't catch him because they're faster than them nowadays so much speed so much electricity now with these guys Notre Dame coming to the line with another first down to the ground with the back got room at the 35 after burners coming touchdown Iris and once he found open space the band might as well start playing and that touchdown just got this whole place going didn't it you got everybody doing the Irish jig Touchdown Jesus is happy you got the leprechaun he's dancing the energy in this place right now is on another level after that that score no wonder this is such a tough place to come in and try to get a win on the board he'll try to add another to their lead and the pat makes it 7 nothing quick work on that scoring drive just four plays and they finish that thing off in style with a 49 yd touchdown run [Applause] just about sets to kick it away from a couple of yards deep he'll bring it out rolling the dice to bring it out of the end zone did not work out as he stopped at the 13 so Notre Dame's offense will try to get something going with their first possession a big challenge for both of these quarterbacks Jesse is dealing with a ball Hawking free safety on the other side oh you're right Reese QB's better be good with their eyes better not stare down wide receivers in this one because if you float the ball down the middle of the field that's getting picked and these guys are going to be right in the middle of the field flying all over the field and quarterbacks will make sure that they are locked in and not throwing the ball near those guys how easy was that I mean when you got a quarterback that can run designed runs like this and and get you five plus yards just to make it look that easy God it makes it really hard for the defenses to stop they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one listen I know there are a lot of DBS out there that all they want to do is get interceptions and dance in the end zone this dude likes to put his face in the fan get close to the line of scrimmage and tackle and on the opening drive if he's out there he gets a huge tackle for loss early that is a statement play looking to pass it's Moss got his man quickly and boy is he close to that first down maybe just a couple of inches short just not able to shake enough Defenders and comes up a little bit short and I think a lot of times on third down ree you bet on your guy when you're an offensive guy you say okay he's going to break a tackle he's going to get north and south and somehow get the first down nice tackling by the defense understanding where they had to get to and forcing the fourth down he gets a block oh what a move he just about took that one to the house they finally bring him down but when you have a return like that it pretty much beats up everything gained by the punt here come the Irish back on offense boy David they would love to stack another touchdown on top of that last drive and this offense did such a good job on the last Drive everything in Rhythm moved the ball down the field didn't make those mistakes Jesse and they need to do it again on this one yeah you're right they had the defense on their heels you wonder what sort of communication was going on that sideline what sort of changes were they able to make cuz they got to stop the bleeding right now after after the short completion it's now second down he's looking to throw fires to the middle and that pass will be Jarred loose on second down that brings up third down they line up with some serious work to do if they want to convert this one on third down he drops to throw unloads to the wide out tremendous awareness along the sideline and the ability to get the foot down for the big pickup well I think on that play you saw why this guy's such a big weapon in this offense receiver he does such a nice job with his routes he's patient and he's consistent and he's got good hands you don't see him put a lot of balls on the ground nice job there picking up the first down fast motion from the offense they'll use the running game on first and goal and he's sprinting he'll take it all the way touchdown Fighting Irish his defense is going to have to do a better job being physical if that's two rushing touchdowns they've now allowed they have got to be better close to the line of [Music] scrimmage ready to try the point after and the extra point makes it 14 nothing quick work on that scoring drive just four plays and he got into the house from the six to finish it lining up to cover the kick after that touchdown drive and that is not the optimal solution there the kickoff out of bounds and the offense will have a little bit easier time of things The Field's about 53 yds wide you got to kick it between those Sidelines or else you draw the flag on first down here comes this offense flip it from the gun they'll try to impose their running game and a really nice run and pick up there before the defense avoided disaster and stopped the really big play and here we go if you're an offense you got to get that ground gain going so you can have some balance and then you give it to your quarterback Palmer and let him make some plays down the field later on yeah exactly and know coming into this game this offense knew they were going to have to some way somehow at least establish the semblance of a running game for exactly what you just said you got to be able to use playaction pass later in this game to get some explosive plays down the field and it's a play like that that we just saw which can help them get that going out of the gun they give to the back they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one that DB had a different story he had something to say coming up making a physical tackle debb Rising as the crowd Gets behind this defense on third down to the the air it's moss and he can't escape and down he goes and you usually don't bring in dime packages for running teams you bring in dime because you know they're going to throw the football you got more speed on the back end to cover and defensive linemen know they have their job to do and their job is to go get that quarterback and get that sucker on the ground the Trojans will call on their punt team this will be the second time they've had to kick it [Applause] away here's the return not Dame has the ball and ready to get moving Jesse a very productive Drive last time wound up with a touchdown yeah mix and the quarterback goes down all the way back at his four four Y Line guys we've come to the end of the quarter and Notre Dame has the lead man that was an impressive and dominant first quarter let's take a look at the stats before we move on now the challenge here they've taken a punch but they can't let it get out of hand as we start the second a first down sack can wreck a drive let's see what they've got on second and 14 tried to fight his way through that tackle but he's brought down everybody talks about DBS they talk about dropping in coverage and not being physical that DB begs to differ great tackle coming up playing physical like a linebacker this defense has kept them backed up now one more stop and they can get off the field on Third and long wide receiver shows motion from the gun they'll try to impose their will and he's not going to get there the defense Stands Tall and makes the stop Notre Dame lining up to plant it away getting our first look of the afternoon at the punter and they'll bring him down to get the offense started on the next drive this Trojan offense is ready to go back to work the lead's not in surmount just down 14 nothing but David you don't score here and it could get a little tricky fast if you don't score here if you don't possess the football and put something together to give your defense a little bit of a blow it's not the ideal start but it ain't like this game's late in the football game create some momentum here in the second quarter yeah momentum is a real thing in college football this team needs the juju to get going that first quarter is one they'd love to forget so find your best Playmakers now get them isolated get them the football and let them go to work and the TR in the hurry up cross country rivalry between these old foes it started because new Rockne's wife wanted to go to California late in the season and the next chapter unfolds today that sounds perfect that my wife wanted to do the same thing I would do happy wife happy life it's always interesting to hear how these rivalry trophies come about but I know one thing USC Notre Dame every year Palmer is appointment television it is my brother Billy played for Notre Dameon I'll be honest I used to get jealous watching him play against the Trojans whether it was at coliseum or whether it was at Notre Dame this is one of the best rivalries in all of college football and one that I wish I could have been a part of nyd pickup on first down and now they can take a shot on second and short the give to the running back from the shotgun and he's tripped up but not before picking up the first down the Trojans are marching down the field from the shotgun the inside again not much Running Room he's got one down to the 12 we've reached a two-minute warning and this thing has been one-sided and they hope to at least have something to feel good about going into [Applause] halftime he's got it and still on his feet and he'll make his way out of bounds after the solid pickup boy they'd love to move the sticks here and take a shot ated on first and goal we back to throw throw it's moth lets it go to the end zone and it's caught touchdown Trojans and I tell you what that passing touchdown man that should spark this whole team like The Comeback is more than on now like they got the touchdown they cut into the lead you want to get a stop and go into the half get all the juices all the excitement and be like listen the passing game's rolling we got this the comeb back's in full effect now they'll line up for what they hope is [Applause] automatic and with the extra point every little bit counts as they get closer about to kick it off after punching it in for the touchdown on the run from inside of zone five didn't find any crease in that kick off coverage and he'll be stopped at the 17 here come the Irish back on offense last time David it was one two three kick the last drive that three and out sometimes that puts your defense in a bad spot and you got to get a drive together here so you don't wear the defense out and the quarterback goes down at the 11 yd line the pocket broke down and the quarterback had to take the sack really impressed by this pass rusher it's just guys winning their individual battles one-on-one up front they're able to get to the quarterback a solid run there to create a little space he's marked down at the 15 we've got a timeout here late in the first half and they'll try to get more points on the board before the break you make up the game plan and not a lot on the play sheet for this third and long from inside their own 20 they'll go to the air going up top he's got it down the right side all kinds of Running Room touchdown Notre D play the grab and finish the deal in the end zone that was just as simple as playing catch in warm-ups and this offense felt like they could take advantage of this defense down the field throwing the football they've got a lot of speed on the perimeter I feel like they've got some matchups they feel they should be winning one-on-one you saw a great example of it right there [Applause] there on to attempt the try and the extra point pushes to lead to 14 quick strike offense on that three-play scoring drive and boy did they finish with a huge play in the passing game scoring from 85 yds out from inside the 10 here he comes really disciplined job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 and guys USC has the ball back and sending the offense onto the field not a lot of time left here in the half let's see if they can cut into this lead and this drive isn't a must score but man you look at the scoreboard you're down two scores Jesse you got a good opportunity create some momentum cut it to a one- score game this is an important possession yeah it's important to create that momentum now David too and not wait to get it going here at the start of the third quarter you got one drive here to get a couple of points you've got to start erasing and chipping away at this deficit this could be where the game turns right here a timeout is called as this offense tries to find a way to get more points on the board before the half offense gets set for second down to the air it's moss and they got him for the sack got to get to the line quickly for this third down play from the gun wants to pass getting some heat and the pressure is coming in and they get him again well I think one of the biggest reasons why this team is finding themselves in a hole here in the first half is this has been a sack party they can't keep the defense off of their quarterback they haven't been able to get the ball deep down the field throwing it with the consistency they want because they can't keep their quarterback standing up straight and the Trojans will punt this one away [Applause] makes the catch and now looking for just a little bit of daylight and the punt team able to smack him to the ground just enough time for one final play in this half easy give to the running back and after that short game they'll head to the locker room it's halim here that's the end of the second quarter that means it's time to join Kevin in our halftime update guys think of all the legendary players who've been a part of this game and we have a few more vying for that status so far today in an always emotional fight for the juwel chal Le talk about a first half from that dude out of the back field he's been a total Game Changer and how many top plays moments have we seen on Miss tackles Alone video game moves from one of the shiftiest players in all of college football that said let's let's get back to the field and our guys in the booth to see who comes out on top of this rivalry contest thanks for that breakdown Kevin looks as if we're set to crank it up here in the second [Music] half here he comes with return Just Trucks through it nice job by the kickoff team everybody stayed in their lanes and they'll stop him at the 16 this Trojan offense is ready to go back to work if they're going to get on top in this game they're going to have to find a way to get the running game going in the second half agree so it can create some more balance some more unpredictability I feel like this defense has got a good beat on what they're doing especially if they don't mix it up a little bit so I do look for a little second half running the football B right of this grp and I think the thing Dave is they just got to be more physical I don't think this is a scheme question about trying different run plays I think it's up to the Big Fellas up front they've just got to make the decision that they're going to be tougher here in the second half so that they can win this game and they make the tackle but he has plenty for the first down this is a very tough slot receiver to cover if you're a linebacker because of how quick and how Shifty he is you never seem to know which way he's going and he always seems to create an open space for his QB off the play fake on first down to throw fires the pass intercepted so you come out of the locker room for the second half and right away you throw a pick bad news too because you go into the locker room and you sort of regroup and you start thinking about how you're going to attack this defense what adjustments you're going to make you feel like you got a good plan running out of the locker room and then to throw a pick right away man that is a gut punch [Music] Notre Dame has the ball and ready to get moving line gets set first down 42 SPID 42 SPID they're going to throw it to start the drive makes the catch it's Thomas and that's a very productive first down play in bringing up second and three if you want to sit back in zone it's my job to find as the wide receiver in the zones nice little curl rout curls right behind the defender great pitch and catch the play action fate fires to the wide out got him downfield touchdown Iris and they take it in for six more points now they have extended this lead guys starting to put the hammer but sometimes a rivalry game can give you a little of extra fight back and there can be no Panic at this point now you've worked too hard this off season David they've had this game circled for so long you've got to play your best football right now and fight back and you just need something good to happen on this next possession you got to get the crowd back into this football game big rivalry get some emotion get some momentum on your side oh that's like blowing the layup or the 3-in putt missed the extra point about to kick it away after scoring the touchdown [Applause] he'll bring it back from inside his spot he was hoping for something a little more Dynamic but they get him on the ground at the 20 and guys USC has the ball back and sending the offense onto the field after that last pick David they really need to take care of the ball this time no doubt and Palmer I want to know what spurger said to you on the sideline after a pick do that again and you'll be right here beside me for the rest of the game you got to go out you got to call your plays and I hope this coaching staff isn't going to be afraid to throw at this drive still sitting at their own 20 after that last one here's second and 10 it's a draw stopped at the 25 after a 5yd gain listen that wasn't the greatest run in the world but it was very successful and you're making me honor the run and another thing every time you run the football someone gets tackled there's physicality involved in the game so I like when offenses commit to the running the football no matter what the outcome is because those body blows do add up trying to burn this defensive back intercepted he'll try to take it [Applause] back and they capitalize not only on the pick but on the great return to improve this field position defensive backs have tough jobs I mean you think about whether you play nickel whether you play dime whatever it is you put more DBS on the field it's more speed it's more guys that can cover but they also got to cover that ground but to cover the ground and make the Pick A lot of times you don't see that superb effort by that guy here come the Irish back on offense there have been few obstacles for this offense as they are starting to pull away way here in the second half Jesse and this has been and the pressure gets to him down goes the quarterback man it didn't take long for the defense to get home on that play you see them playing man coverage in the back end slowing down the routes from the receivers and the rest of the offense that forced the quarterback to have to hold on to it for just a split second longer than they were able to get the sack throws to the wide out grabbed in the middle it's Mitchell and chunk plays are the name of the game and they get one here before the defense finally makes the stop nice catch there you know I think back to Great golden Domer wide receivers and Tim Brown who won a highman rocket Ismael obviously how about Jeff Samar there's a name you don't hear very much anymore but he was awesome for Brady Quinn back in the day and all those guys had the ability to win one-on-one their quarterbacks knew that if they had that match up outside they were going to take it and I think this quarterback feels the same way about that guy he is just so Dynamic outside they've avoided the reception all day but they were lucky to get that one back here late it'll be second down couldn't make the connection last time let's see if they'd throw it again on the run it's Leonard and it's intercepted a turnover for the defense bringing it back at the 30 bulldozes him and what a return as he takes it back to the eigh and they were most fortunate to catch up to him there he almost turned that into a pick six man and he had a convoy too as soon as he had the ball he just looked around him there was just a lot of open grain and he took off great job by his teammates on defense getting down field and setting up some [Applause] blocks first and goal and a great opportunity to slice into this lead Jack Rabbit he'll try to get it in with the Run dragged down at the six after a pick up of two man that D tackle is a freaked athlete did you see him come out of his stance and beat the offensive lineman getting to the running back catlike quickness he makes a grab couple of guys there to get him on the ground I like the decision by the quarterback here just get the ball out of your hands get it to your playmaker a lot of times he'll dance and make even bigger play than he did here but it was still a positive game they'd love to make this short field pay off with a touchdown instead of a field goal but it's third and goal they'll try to run it in they were all over him nowhere to go as that third down play turned into a disaster fourth and goal from the two can they finish this [Applause] drive pushes toward the goaline going right back to the well and this time he finds water gets it into the end zone for the touchdown and how about this offense a big situation on Fourth and goal and you trust your running back you trust your offensive line you trust the physicality of this unit and they reward that trust and they punch it in for six ling up to add another [Applause] smashes it through for the pat quick work on that scoring drive just four plays and finish to deal with the short touchdown run from the two trying to get back in this game with that last score it's a 13-point game as they're set to kick off on the move from inside is five he was hoping for something a little more Dynamic but they get him on the ground at the 20 Notre has the ball and ready to get moving boy they hope this next Drive is more productive after throwing a pick last time Jesse Yeah and the coaches did a good job on the sideline there just talking to the Young quarterback and making sure he's able to turn the page calm him down to go out and refocus this drive yeah and some people do that better than others but you got to show some trust in him maybe get the ground game going help around him a little bit with this system guys we've come to the end of the quarter and Notre Dame has the lead they've done the work to build a nice cushion now to bring it home as we check out the stats after three [Applause] quarters not only is the scoreboard on their side but so too is time as we open the fourth we'll get this quarter going with a second down play easy off the bootleg wants to toss it that pass is incomplete and they're probably fortunate that it wasn't knock free for a fumble well he didn't have have a whole lot of time to get rid of that one the defense was all over him right after the snap no wonder that thing fell incomplete looking for a man it's Leonard unloads to the wide out another incompletion on third down man that's a couple bad throws last possession obviously ends in an interception by this quarterback and now you throw another one you know In Harm's Way you got to make sure you're throwing to the open guy make sure you're taking care of that football we can't have any more turnovers coverage team able to put a stop to that return at the 42 yd Line This Trojan offense is ready to go back to work he wants to throw makes a grab over the middle good pick up there they'll move the chains in their setup at the 41 the Trojans racing to the line in the hurry up well down two possessions good news is you get the completion bad news though did not get out of bounds you know right now saving the clock that is at a premium for this offense On Target to the left and they'll finally bring him down after he rips off a huge play now inside the 20 first and 10 from the 18 they'll throw it from the Red Zone he got a hand in there knocks it away incomplete I think the quarterback's got to do a better job with his eyes guys he's already been picked off twice in this game and that one got SW it away he's telegraphing where he's throwing the football and it's making life really hard on right down the middle how about that play to get a hand in there and force the incompletion defense doing a great job watching the quarterback's eyes and breaking on the ball they already have two picks in the game and they SWAT that one away they are doing an awesome job in coverage out of the gun the running back has it and sure tackling there to keep him from getting to the first down mark down in the fourth quarter it's too late for empty possessions they'll go for it on fourth down it's incomplete and they desperately needed to keep that drive going and they couldn't make the connection here come the Irish back on offense looking for a productive play on first down they keep it on the ground clock is their friend pushed his way ahead really good run to get it out to the 20 a pick up of five yeah and a nice job by this defense this is critical moment right we got to get the football back they're backed up thank goodness force a punt here get the football back so we can make some magic here in this fourth quarter hand off from the gun into the pile maybe got one he stopped at the 21 big third down for this defense listen you've got to get the ball back you know what they're doing they're trying to run the football but we need the clock to be on our side so our offense has some time got to make a stand right here on third down caught near the sticks it's CL is that stiff arm even a human arm it it looks like some type of Steel budgeting device on his way to the first down we reached the two minute warning and this offense is that much closer to salting away a victory Notre Dame ready to go with another first down they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one defense uses a timeout quickly trying to get that ball back and preserve time for their offense I'd expect we're going to get another dose of the running game at this point even though it's second and 11 the give to the back he's drop behind the line of scrimmage that'll be a loss of three timeout called there by the defense desperate to get the ball back and save as much time as possible [Applause] if they can convert here that type of play can really give you a shot of [Applause] momentum the running back has it and the defense is swarming to keep him from getting to the first down quick timeout called by the defense stopping the clock to save as much time as possible for their offense the iris send out the punt unit on the move it's Branch they'll get down and put a stop to the return at about the 28 yd line and guys USC has the ball back and sending the offense onto the field there have been a couple of missed opportunities for these offenses in the last couple of drives Jesse and I think for this offense here it'd be nice to hit an explosive play be aggressive and really pay off your defense's effort that last drive and instead of having to move the ball down the field consistently and then getting stopped on Fourth Downs you're right create some of the explosives to and the defense gets to the quarterback Indie Car tempo as they head to the line for this third down play clock running back to pass it's moss and that is interception number three on the day and he's wrapped up after a solid return on the pick nice job by this defense that might be the exclamation point fourth quarter I got a lead you bring on the nickel defense you know they're passing the football for plays just like that to make the int and almost put this one away okay here's this offense with a fresh set of downs and with the game all but decided this quarterback will take a knee it's really easy to get caught up in the emotion of a rivalry game we did and certainly this was a huge win yeah and you started you circled it you were ready for this team this is this is the Rivalry you put a lot of stock in all off season you're talking about this game in particular you go out and get the dub it's a relief cuz you definitely wanted this team and it's bragging right it's for everybody for the coaching staff for the fans but how about for the players as well for another 365 days you can talk about how you went out you dominated and you beat your rival a lot of these guys are going to go on to the NFL they'll be in locker rooms next year they'll be talking about this for a long time so that's going to do it for us for Jesse Palmer David Pollock I'm reys Davis saying so long this has been another presentation of EA Sports 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