5 Stars: The best and worst of Notre Dame’s loss to USC

This was a game where we saw the likely Heisman winner take a game over and win it for USC. Caleb Williams did enough to put him at the front of the pack, as the Irish fell to the Trojans, 38-27. Find out below who was the best, five stars, and worst, one star, in Notre Dame’s loss at USC.

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5 ⭐️ - Tight end Michael Mayer

Once again, the tight end was the star of the offense. Another two scores (adding to his school record) to go along with 98 yards. He was the best player on the field when Williams was on the sideline. Mayer really showed the country that he is the best at his position tonight. This young man should go home with plenty of hardware during award season. What a career for Mayer and he still has a year left (although nobody expects him to return).

4 ⭐️ - Defensive end Isaiah Foskey

In what might have been his last game with the Irish, Foskey was a menace all night long even if it won’t show it on the stat sheet. A sack and forced fumble in the first half then Caleb Williams happened. He’s been fantastic over the last two years and he should be a high pick in the draft. We’ll see what decision Foskey makes, but if this was his finale, it was a great one.

3 ⭐️ - Marcus Freeman

Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts against the Southern California Trojans in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

You have to be proud of this teams fight. They could have rolled over after starting the year 3-3 but the kept fighting, got two very solid wins and battled against the what looks like a College Football Playoff participant. I know there are no moral wins, but the Irish showed they aren’t far away from challenging for a spot again soon. It’s not what we hoped for but it’s a solid foundation for the Freeman era and should be able to build off this year.

2 ⭐️ - The referees

I’m not one to complain about the refs, as long as they’re consistent with the calls, it is what it is. The problem was they weren’t really. The spots for the short yardage plays the Irish barely missed, there questionable. It wasn’t the reason why the Irish ultimately lost, but it sure didn’t help.

⭐️ - Tackling

Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) runs the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Irish struggled most of the night trying to get USC ball carriers to the ground. When they needed plays in the backfield, the Trojans escaped the first attempt and turned upfield. It came from all three levels, it wasn’t just a few players. For a team that was a very sure tackling team in their recent games, this cost the Irish dearly.

Story originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire