USC/ND Greatest College Game Ever?

Southern California versus Notre Dame on October 15, 2005 could go down as the greatest four hours in college football history. And the last three minutes could qualify it as the most controversial, as well.

It was a broadcaster's dream. The boys in the booth couldn't have asked for a better primetime Saturday night matchup. Tom Hammond called the plays, and Pat Haden provided the analysis on NBC.

All the hype from the media in the weeks leading up to this meeting fulfilled the expectations, leaving those who were endlessly salivating for some tasty college football home cookin' more than satisfied. In fact, I'm still full (but don't tell my mom). Now all us media members can do is to just sit there with our happy bellies in awe. The students, fans, and alumni who loyally follow Notre Dame football, however, probably didn't have much of any stomach besides an upset one. I'm guessing they were a little more than just awed as the remaining seconds ticked off the clock — both times.

Aww. Undefeated and top-ranked USC (now 9-0) edged out the Irish 34-31 just as the sun began to set on the high hopes of the green-clad Irish backers in South Bend — blanketing any thoughts that Notre Dame (now 6-2) would be the one to knock off the pesky Trojans, stunning the 30 million viewers and every sports fan eager to see Notre Dame drop a big L on USC's record for the first time in 28 games. Nope, the two-time defending champs added one more to the win column that Saturday night, but they didn't do so without dramatic fashion. Or without their biggest scare in two and a half years. Or without confusion for that matter.

There is a reason why this was the most watched regular-season college football game in nine years. There was so much on the line in this game, and that's part of what made it great. Notre Dame, with first-year coach and Irish alumnus Charlie Weis, had the chance to do what no other team could do in 27 straight games, and it appeared as if it were their destiny. Weis made them believers. And he made them dress for the occasion — the good luck green jerseys, the first time they'd been worn since a 2001 loss to Boston College. He also made NBC a 66% increase in ratings since last season. Like I said, big game.

Take one glance at the guest list for this game, and it's clear the magnitude of the event. Reportedly in attendance were actor Martin Short, Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas, ambassador to the Vatican Francis Rooney, Eagles coach Andy Reid, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and two other faces Notre Dame may recognize — Joe Montana and Rudy Ruettiger. With a little mix of representatives from the political, religious, entertainment, sports world, and two famed ND football alums, it must have been some game.

That it was. It also happened to be Notre Dame's biggest home game since they upset No. 1 Florida State in 1993. It also happened to earn a 6.7 national rating on NBC, tying with the Ohio State/Notre Dame game in 1996 for the highest rating in over a decade. Boy, oh boy. Trojan Tradition vs. Irish Tradition. Touchdown Jesus vs. well, the Sweater Girls. Two head coaches who stem from the Patriots and Jets. Weis, Patriots' offensive coordinator from 2000-2004 and with the Jets from 1997-1999. Carroll, Patriots' head coach from 1997-1999 and defensive coordinator before head coach with the Jets from 1990-1994. One Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback vs. another. Brady Quinn, playing for a Notre Dame school that has more Heisman Trophy winners than any other (7). Matt Leinart, the defending Heisman Trophy winner.

Aww. What a matchup. But enough about the storylines. Let's get to the game. Notre Dame got the ball first, but midway through the first quarter, Quinn's pass was intercepted by Keith Rivers, setting up a 36-yard touchdown run by the multi-talented Reggie Bush.

No worries. Notre Dame drove from their own 20 all the way down the field, with Travis Thomas rushing for 16 yards and a score late in the first quarter. All tied up at seven. Not for long. In fact, it took only 57 seconds for Leinart to throw a 52-yard bomb to Dominique Byrd before LenDale White rushed for three yards and seven more points. USC 14, ND 7.

Trojans historically not a first-half scoring team? Pssh. Oh wait. There came the Irish driving and finishing with a 32-yard Quinn pass complete to Jeff Samardzija. Touchdown, game tied at 14. After a USC drive went nowhere, the Trojans were forced to punt, where Tom Zbikowski forced an impressive 59-yard punt return to give the Irish their first lead of the night, 21-14. Notre Dame fans were squirming in their seats. Well, that is if any of them were still sitting at this point. The score remained the same at the half, with the Irish heading into halftime with the momentum.

In the third quarter, as Leinart threw an interception and it seemed he was having an off-night, Bush decided he wasn't going to let USC have an off-night. A 45-yard rush to the end zone put him over 100 rushing yards for the fifth straight game and put the Trojans back in the game.

And then came the fourth quarter, when the fun really began. Four seconds in, D.J. Fitzpatrick kicked a 32-yard field goal to put Notre Dame up 24-21. Again, USC went three and out, and Notre Dame got the ball back quickly. It took 12 plays, 48 yards, and nearly six minutes on the clock for the Irish to get downfield, but they couldn't convert on third-and-seven from the USC 17. Fitzpatrick came in for the 34-yard field goal attempt, except this time he didn't have that luck o' the Irish anymore. Half the crowd cheered about the miss, and the other half was agonizing over the fact that it was only two yards longer than the one he just made! Notre Dame could have been up by six. Instead, they were only up by three, and USC took over on downs. Clock: 7:22.

Again, Bush put the team on his back, sneaking around the corner for a nine-yard touchdown (his third of the game) to give USC back the lead, 28-24. Clock: 4:59. Plenty of time for Notre Dame...

Here comes Brady. After getting no help in the kickoff return, Quinn had four straight completions starting from their 13-yard line, scrambling, running, taking hits, doing whatever it took to get the first down. Darius Walker followed with three rushes to set up a 1st-and-goal. There went Brady — to the corner, into the end zone himself. Notre Dame Stadium had never been louder. ND 31, USC 28. Clock: 1:54.

The last two minutes of this game were unlike anything I've ever witnessed. Watching it unfold live on TV make it that much better. I couldn't contain myself, and I wasn't even on the field or in the stadium or in the state of Indiana for that matter.

USC's first play was a Leinart incomplete pass to stop the clock. However, on the next play, he was sacked for a loss of 10, forcing the Trojans to call timeout. The Fighting Irish were pumped up. The game appeared to be over, but the best games are those that appear to be over but are truly far from it.

On 3rd-and-20 from USC's 15, Leinart connected with Bush for a 12-yard gain, but it wasn't enough. USC burned their final timeout. Clock: 1:32. It was 4th-and-9 from the 26. A miserable situation for the Trojans. It looked as if Notre Dame was about to add No. 1 USC to its list of historic streak breakers. Aww.

And then the impossible happened. Leinart, seemingly in a trance, in a one last desperation attempt, facing his biggest loss, called an audible and magically found Dwayne Jarrett for a 61-yard pass, first down at the ND 13, excellent field position, and utter shock of the entire nation. Jarrett wasn't open. His catch was unbelievable, as was the coverage by Ambrose Wooden. I couldn't believe my eyes. The Sea of Green couldn't believe their eyes. I don't even think Leinart himself could believe his eyes. Weis' eyes were fuming. And Jarrett's eyes were scratched at the cornea. He was seeing double when he caught the ball that somehow escaped the outstretched arms of Wooden. Unbelievable.

Pat Haden: "This is as good as it gets." Hey, Pat? Just wait.

Bush got the Trojans got to the ND 2 with 20 seconds left and no timeouts left, USC trailing 31-28. It was score or go home. Leinart had been having a bad game, having been picked off twice and never comfortable. So? Leinart rolled out, scrambled, kept the ball to himself, and dove for the end zone, but was hit by linebacker Corey Mays. The ball fatefully popped loose and went out of bounds.

USC receiver Steve Smith said Leinart was supposed to throw that one so that he couldn't get tackled in bounds and shy of the end zone. Apparently, however, the clock operator thought that that's what happened, and the final seconds ticked off the clock. The Notre Dame fans holding their breaths let out that final sigh of relief and people began rushing the field. Weis raised his hands in the air as if to emulate Touchdown Jesus. The Trojans were upset in South Bend! The Trojans were upset in South Bend! Chaos.

Well, wait. No, not really. There was no instant replay available, so officials put seven seconds back on the clock and gave the ball back to USC inside the 1. When the game is on the line and a team is inches from the end zone, seven seconds is a lot more time than three. Carroll wanted to win the game, not face the hot Irish in overtime, so he opted not to kick the field goal to tie it. That's what makes this great. On the sideline, Carroll was violently motioning to down the ball. The announcer said they would down the ball. Leinart didn't down the ball. Instead, he decided on his own to take it himself up the middle, never even telling anyone in the huddle his plan.

Maybe that confusion was what caused Bush to "aid" him into the end zone, an illegal action that caused an uproar in the days following. By this point Notre Dame fans were choking on air, waiting for the flag was never thrown, and the rest is history. Quinn finished with 285 yards and two touchdowns, Leinart with 290 and one touchdown.

Aww. USC didn't make the extra point after an unsportsmanlike penalty was called, but that didn't matter. Time expired. The team who had an 18-minute possession disadvantage won. The team that managed first downs at all the right times won. The Trojans won, and they kept their winning streak alive at 28.

Aww. I could understand if Notre Dame students could no longer focus on their studies. I could understand if Notre Dame students skipped class the whole week. I could understand if the Notre Dame campus counselors were booked until 2007. It was, indeed, a heartwrencher — but a heartwrencher to be marked in your history books.

So go ahead and mark this game in those history books. If you missed the game live, shame on you. Watch for it on ESPN Classic. Buy some ticket stubs off eBay (they're going for about $20 if you were wondering). Order the DVD (like I did). I don't really care what you do, but whatever it is, you don't want to miss it.

With 3:13 to go in the game, analyst Pat Haden declared, "This is going to be a fun last three minutes."

Fun doesn't even do justice for this game. Hey, Pat? Try best game ever.