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Advanced Box Score: Notre Dame 14, USC 10

This is one game where what you see on the field matches with what the advanced stats say...

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

If you are confused and need some help digesting these numbers, then visit the Advanced Stats glossary here.

Notre Dame 14, USC 10

USC Irish USC Irish
Close % 100.0% STANDARD DOWNS
Field Position % 49.2% 40.0% Success Rate 47.6% 40.5%
Leverage % 64.6% 64.6% PPP 0.45 0.35
S&P 0.924 0.758
TOTAL
EqPts 28.9 26.3 PASSING DOWNS
Close Success Rate 40.0% 36.9% Success Rate 26.1% 30.4%
Close PPP 0.44 0.40 PPP 0.44 0.50
Close S&P 0.844 0.774 S&P 0.698 0.802
RUSHING TURNOVERS
EqPts 12.2 13.3 Number 1 1
Close Success Rate 44.8% 31.6% Turnover Pts 2.3 4.1
Close PPP 0.42 0.35 Turnover Pts Margin +1.8 -1.8
Close S&P 0.869 0.665
Line Yards/carry 3.23 2.33 Q1 S&P 1.185 1.130
Q2 S&P 0.936 1.136
PASSING Q3 S&P 0.371 0.286
EqPts 16.7 13.0 Q4 S&P 0.887 0.368
Close Success Rate 36.1% 44.4%
Close PPP 0.46 0.48 1st Down S&P 1.105 0.773
Close S&P 0.825 0.927 2nd Down S&P 0.871 1.051
SD/PD Sack Rate 6.3% / 9.1% 6.3% / 5.0% 3rd Down S&P 0.385 0.403
Projected Pt. Margin: USC +4.4 | Actual Pt. Margin: Notre Dame +4

3 Thoughts...

1. The game was as close as it looked, with USC throwing away the opportunity to win. Overall, USC had a little more big play success, but Notre Dame was better in the passing game.

2. USC was good on first down, Notre Dame was good on second down, and both teams were Vikings/Giants bad on third down. It was pretty much game over if USC didn't pick up significant yards on first or second down.

3. The USC offensive line had no answer for the Notre Dame pass rush. You're not going to win many ball games (if any) if your quarterback is getting sacked 1 out of every 10 times he drops back on passing downs.