Notre Dame vs. USC score, takeaways: Pair of pick sixes lift Fighting Irish, effectively punching CFP ticket

No. 5 Notre Dame defeated USC 49-35 on Saturday to put the program in prime position to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff next month. The Fighting Irish end the regular season with an 11-1 mark and are on the verge of reaching the CFP for the third time in program history.

Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray returned an interception 99 yards the other way for a touchdown with 3:39 remaining. On USC’s following drive, Irish safety Xavier Watts returned an interception 101 yards the other way for Notre Dame’s second defensive touchdown to seal the win.

After losing to Northern Illinois in Week 2, Notre Dame ended the regular season on a 10-game winning streak to improve its chances of hosting a game in the first round of the CFP next month.

Notre Dame racked up 260 yards of offense on the ground. Running back Jadarian Price rushed for a team-high 111 yards, and star running back Jeremiyah Love finished with 99. Love exited the game in the second half with a leg injury and didn’t return.

Notre Dame was knotted at 14 with USC at halftime before it fired off 21 points in the third quarter to take control of the game. Quarterback Riley Leonard connected with tight end Mitchell Evans for a 23-yard touchdown with 1:11 remaining in the third quarter to extend the lead to double-digits.

USC entered the weekend as one of six FBS teams to lead every game in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame never trailed in the win over USC to snap that streak. The Trojans finished the regular season with a 6-6 record and will await their bowl game placement.

• Notre Dame scored at least 28 points in 10 consecutive games, which marked the first time the program had accomplished the feat.
• Notre Dame had two pick-sixes of at least 99 yards entering the weekend. The Fighting Irish recorded two in the final three minutes against USC.
• Maiava recorded his first game with two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. Maiava took over as USC’s starting quarterback against Nebraska earlier this month. Saturday was his third start in a USC uniform. 
• Leonard recorded his seventh career game with two rushing passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. Leonard has accomplished that feat four times this season.
• USC dropped to 0-4 against AP top-10 opponents under HC Lincoln Riley with the loss to Notre Dame.

CBS Sports was here with updates, highlights and analysis from the game. Read on below for more takeaways.