USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley followed up his win at Cal with a 380 yard
performance at Notre Dame. (Creative Commons licensed)

Thursday after practice, an inspiring guest surprised the No. 6 Southern California Trojans: Stafon Johnson. And inspire he did. Wearing "STA Fight On! #13" on the back of their helmets, the Trojans went on to beat the No. 25 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-27 Saturday in South Bend, Indiana..

Touted as the "Quarterback Competition," USC's freshman quarterback Matt Barkley threw for 380 yards, completing 19 of 29 pass attempts. Barkley threw one interception in the fourth quarter, bringing the Irish within seven points with 8:55 left. Even with the interception, Barkley ran circles around Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen, whose Heisman hopes were most likely dashed with a second loss (4-2).

Though SC never trailed, it wasn't smooth sailing for the Trojans (5-1) either. After Barkley's interception, and a Notre Dame return for a touchdown, SC again left the door open for the Irish when they went 18 yards in five plays and punted to the Irish with 4:18 left. It was Clausen who couldn't make it happen for his coach Charlie Weis. Weis has never beaten the Trojans in five tries.

Notre Dame's wideout Robby Parris had a few huge catches, including a key fourth-down grab. Parris helped the Irish to 2-3 on fourth down completions. The Irish helped themselves, having only four penalties for 38 yards, though it was Clausen's three incomplete passes in the red zone in the last minute of the game that sealed their fate.

After an incomplete pass on 2nd down from Clausen, the Trojan bench started celebrating as the score board had run to :00, giving USC the victory. However, an official review of the clock  left one second remaining, enough time for Notre Dame to tie it up. It wouldn't be USC-ND without the drama right? Another incomplete pass by Clausen allowed the SC bench to celebrate again and prompted head coach Pete Carroll's statement, "We won this in the last second."

Damian Williams stole the show with 108 yards and two touchdowns. Joe McKnight followed up his 119 yard rushing game last week against Cal Berkeley, with a 79 yard and one touchdown performance. Anthony McCoy was also an all-star with 153 yards on five catches.

The Irish have seen glimpses of a great team, proving they are tougher and more resilient than in past years, but also needing more than a late game push to beat teams the caliber of USC. Notre Dame got lucky last week against Washington and couldn't get lady luck on their side for the second week in a row.

The win will spawn more talk of BCS Championship game for USC.  The one loss Trojans host Oregon State next Saturday at the Coliseum.