LOS ANGELES —
Theo Riddick rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown, Kyle Brindza kicked five field goals, and No. 1 Notre Dame secured a spot in the BCS championship game with a 22-13 victory over Southern California on Saturday night.
Everett Golson passed for 217 yards as the Fighting Irish (12-0) completed their first perfect regular season since 1988, earning a trip to Miami on Jan. 7 to play for the storied program’s first national title in 24 years.
Although they did little with flash on an electric night at the Coliseum, the Irish woke up more echoes of past Notre Dame greats with a grinding effort in this dynamic intersectional rivalry with USC (7-5), which has lost three of four.
Notre Dame’s hard-nosed defense appropriately made the decisive stand in the final minutes, keeping USC out of the end zone on four plays from the Irish 1 with 2:33 to play.
Sports
Notre Dame earns spot in BCS championship game
- Sports
-
-
Alvarez powers Bucs past Brewers
Jeff Locke put up some more zeroes for Pittsburgh.
-
AAABA League grows older
The AAABA League is a year older in more ways than one this season.
-
2013 AAABA Team Capsules
Berkley Hills Renegades
Manager: Larry McCabe, 2nd season, 31-15 record. -
Penguins rip Senators, move to conference finals
The Pittsburgh Penguins expected desperation.
-
Surprising Pirates enjoying early success
Jason Grilli gets it. Really, he does.
-
Estrada, Brewers cool off Pirates
Marco Estrada gave up one run over seven innings and Alex Gonzalez had a two-run double, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.
-
Penguins look to close out Senators
Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson isn’t quite ready for the traditional season-ending handshake.
-
Bell wants to answer call in Steelers backfield
Le’Veon Bell wants the ball in his hands. Always.
-
Pirates complete three-game sweep of Cubs
It was hard to tell whether the Pittsburgh Pirates were heading on a road trip or getting ready for a Stanley Cup playoff game after beating the Chicago Cubs 4-2 on Thursday for their fourth straight win.
-
Pens seize 3-1 series lead over Senators
Sidney Crosby was careful not to get too far ahead of himself after helping the Pittsburgh Penguins rout the Ottawa Senators for a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
- More Sports Headlines
-
New Galaxy Star Robbie Rogers Makes History
George discusses Game 2 performance
West happy with Game 2 win over Heat
Spoelstra on Heat's missed opportunities
Stephenson talks big Game 2 win
Castroneves, Franchitti on making history at Indy
Wertheim: Women's French Open Preview
Mattingly's Dodgers days still may be done
LeBron: 'My turnovers hurt more than anything'
Bosh, Heat not playing up to par
White Hot Heat! Heat vs. Pacers tonight
Cavaliers Use Day Off to Prepare for FSU
Nate Allen is looking for a bounce back season
Seabrook on Canucks series in 2011
Three and Out: Wheeler or Pineda
Cubs' Sveum on Jackson's struggles
Game 4: Blackhawks played against a "really smart team"
Game 4: Blackhawks' Seabrooks "deserved limited minutes"
Game 4: Blackhawks started, couldn't finish
Phil Jackson on leadership: 'You have to follow your intuitive nature'
