USC vs Notre Dame 2016: Who Were The Studs and Duds?

The 2016 edition of USC vs Notre Dame was all about Adoree’ Jackson, whose outstanding performance stole the headlines and perhaps Heisman votes.

USC notched their eighth-straight victory to end the 2016 regular season by riding the efforts of Jackson and several others to a dominant win over Notre Dame.

The home finale offered plenty of standouts to recognize, while behavioral issues marred the historic rivalry.

Here’s a look at who stood out in the 45-27 Trojan victory for all the right reasons and all the wrong reasons:

Who were the studs?

Adoree’ Jackson:

If that was Jackson’s final game at the Coliseum, then he saved the best for last…and made his best case yet for earning some Heisman votes.

It started with a near miraculous first down conversion on a crowded bubble screen. On Notre Dame’s first drive he ran down Josh Adams to prevent the 74-yard run from being a 75-yard touchdown. Then he swatted away a third down pass attempt at the sticks. Then he returned a punt 55-yards for a touchdown. Then he took a short pass 55-yards down the sideline for a second score. Then, just to cap off the whole performance, he returned a kickoff 97 yards for a third touchdown.

Comparison’s to Reggie Bush’s dominating performance against Fresno State are rightly made. That’s how spectacular Jackson was on the day against Notre Dame. It was his game, everyone else was just there to watch it.

The only question left: Did Heisman voters take notice?

Ronald Jones II:

Jones was USC’s most effective offensive weapon not named Adoree’ Jackson. The sophomore finished with 134 yards on 16 carries with a 51-yard touchdown scamper but it was his devastating ability to cut his way through and around Notre Dame’s defenders which earns him stud honors. On a day when Jackson drew comparisons to Bush, Jones’ running was similarly reminiscent.

Ajene Harris:

The former receiver solidified his place as a figure in USC’s secondary with five tackles, a sack and a pick six against the Irish. Harris also created a fumble on an attempted lateral which was initially, incorrectly called an incomplete pass, denying Jack Jones a scoop and score opportunity. He was a disruptive force, second only to Jackson among impact standouts.

USC’s Pass Rush:

The Trojans generated six sacks against Kizer, a mobile quarterback who was never allowed to stretch his legs thanks to the relentless pass rush. Those sacks and pressures came from a variety of places including linemen like Rasheem Green and Josh Fatu, outside linebacker Porter Gustin and Uchenna Nwosu, inside linebackers Cameron Smith and Michael Hutchings and Harris, the cornerback.