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Final Score: U-S-C 31 - Notre Dame 17

South Bend, IN (Sports Network) - Matt Barkley threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns to lead the USC Trojans to a 31-17 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a non-conference matchup at Notre Dame Stadium.

Barkley completed 24-of-35 under center in the win for USC (6-1), which has won three consecutive contests. Curtis McNeal ran for 118 yards on 24 carries, while Robert Woods hauled in 12 receptions for 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Tommy Rees threw for 190 yards on 23-of-37 passing to lead Notre Dame (4-3) in the loss, but the signal-caller had no touchdowns and one interception. It was a tough night offensively for the Irish, as the squad managed just 267 total yards.

The Trojans took a 7-0 lead midway through the opening quarter following a two-yard touchdown toss from Barkley to Randall Telfer.

Barkley gave the Trojans a 14-0 advantage late in the frame with a three-yard scoring strike to Robert Woods.

A 25-yard Andre Heidari field goal late in the second stanza gave USC a 17-0 edge, but Notre Dame's George Atkinson III returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a score to pull the Irish within 10.

The Irish added a 25-yard David Ruffer field goal with under a minute remaining in the half to head into the break down 17-10.

An 80-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Jawanza Starling late in the third quarter gave the Trojans a 24-10 lead, and spoiled an opportunity for the Irish to tie the game.

A 25-yard Jonas Gray scamper early in the fourth quarter pulled the Irish within seven, but the Trojans made it a 31-17 game at the 7:47 mark following a 14-yard completion from Barkley to Robert Woods. Rees was intercepted on the next drive.

USC has prevailed in nine of the last 10 meetings with Notre Dame.