Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates with players at the end of the game against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

LOS ANGELES — Christian Gray returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown with 3:39 to play, Xavier Watts returned another interception 100 yards for a score with 1:18 left, and No. 5 Notre Dame punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff with its 10th consecutive victory, 49-35 over Southern California on Saturday.

The stage was set for another great battle between Notre Dame and USC, and after a four quarter battle the Irish did what was needed and earned the victory. Notre Dame and USC battled it out for the Jeweled Shillelagh Trophy, but the Irish won it with a 49-35 victory. The win secures a spot for Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff.