USC 31, Notre Dame 17 (final)

If, as he has said, last year's loss to Notre Dame at the Coliseum was Lane Kiffin's worst loss as a head coach, Saturday's win at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., surely was among the sweetest.

USC ran its record to 6-1 and ended Notre Dame's four-game winning streak with an impressive victory.

"I'm proud of ouor guys, not having penalties and taking care of the football. That's what you've got to do," Kiffin said in a television interview after the game.

"You better play defense and run the ball if you come on the road."

The Trojans defense came up with three second-half turnovers, Matt Barkley operated efficiently at quarterback and two banged-up running backs produced when they had to for USC.

Oh, and Robert Woods was Robert Woods again.

Coming off a season-low five catches against California in USC's last game, the sophomore had 12 catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns against the Fighting Irish.

He was Barkley's favorite by far, but the quarterback was otherwise hard to figure -- he connected with nine different receivers and finished with 224 yards passing, having completed 24 of 35 for three touchdowns.

Curtis McNeal and Marc Tyler sparked a 219-yard rushing performance. McNeal had 118 yards in 24 carries and Tyler had 67 yards in 13 carries.

Kiffin credited USC's oft-maligned offensive line. "That's a great run defense led by a great middle linebacker (Manti Te'o)," the coach said. "Our guys did a really good job."

Meanwhile, Notre Dame couldn't sustain anything on the ground. The Fighting Irish netted 41 yards in 14 carries -- more than half of that coming on a 25-yard touchdown burst by Jonas Gray.

Michael Floyd, Notre Dame's star receiver, was never a factor. The 6-foot-3, 224-pound junior had four catches for 28 yards thanks largely to blanket coverage by USC's Nickell Robey, a 5-8, 165-pound sophomore. 

USC 31, Notre Dame 17 (late in fourth quarter)

Nickell Robey is having the game of his life for USC.

Only 5 feet 8 inches tall and 165 pounds, he has dominated his matchup with Michael Floyd, Notre Dame's 6-3, 224-pound star receiver.

Floyd has only four catches for 28 yards and Robey just picked off a pass that was intended for Floyd, giving USC the ball at midfield with 6 minutes 43 seconds remaining in the game.

USC 31, Notre Dame 17 (7:47 left in the fourth quarter)

USC has cashed in on a Notre Dame turnover, with Robert Woods -- who else? -- making a diving catch of a 14-yard pass from quarterback Matt Barkley for a touchdown.

Andre Heidari looked good on the point-after try, drilling it high and straight through.

Woods has 12 catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns.

USC 24, Notre Dame 17 (midway through the fourth quarter)

USC had better hope this game is not decided by a kick.

Andre Heidari, who has been a solid producer all season, was injured in the first half and badly missed a 32-yard field-goal attempt wide left.

USC has not said what the injury was, but if that kick is any indication, he is not 100% healthy.