21-point deficit to beat the Trojans 25–24 at Notre Dame stadium. The game winner came in one of many lucky breaks, with tight end Jabari Halloway recovering a Jarious Jackson fumble in the end zone with 2:40 remaining on the game clock. The Irish also had the wind at their backs in both the third and fourth quarters, helping the Irish kickers with field position and field goal attempts. It marked the first time since 1996 that Notre Dame beat USC. 2000 – Notre Dame 38, USC 21 The Irish secured their first BCS bowl berth in history by knocking off the Trojans. 2001 – Notre Dame 27, USC 16 After an 0–3 start, the first in school history, Bob Davie's squad managed a win against USC in South Bend. It was the last win the Irish recorded against USC until 2010. Until 2009, the Irish were the only team to have beaten a Pete-Carroll-coached Trojan squad by more than seven points. 2002–09 – USC's Dominance From 2002 – 2009, USC defeated Notre Dame eight straight times, in some games winning in a lopsided fashion unprecedented in the series. Despite the one-sided nature of this stretch, the series still produced a classic game in 2005. Notable Games: 2002 – USC 44, Notre Dame 13 This game reestablished USC on a national level after a decade-long absence from the elite ranks. The Trojans had not played in such a high-stakes game since the 1988 No. 1 vs. No. 2 loss to the Irish. The victory for the Trojans helped them clinch their first-ever BCS bowl berth and established Trojan quarterback Carson Palmer as a Heisman Trophy candidate, which he eventually won. The game culminated USC's most successful season since 1979. A capacity crowd and a national television audience saw USC quarterback Carson Palmer throw for 425 yards and four touchdowns—then Notre Dame opponent records. Palmer led the Trojan offense to 610 total yards, the most yards ever against the Irish. Notre Dame briefly took a 13–10 lead, but Palmer led the Trojans on a 75-yard drive in just over a minute culminating in a pass that sailed over the outstretched hands of two Irish defenders and into the waiting arms of Mike Williams for a 19-yard touchdown. The Trojans sprinted into the locker room with a 17–13 halftime lead and never looked back. USC's 44 points were the most against the