Notre Dame beats back USC

Corey Robinson made a diving catch in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter and No. 14 Notre Dame rebounded to beat Southern California 41-31 on Saturday after squandering a two-touchdown lead.

C.J. Prosise ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns, and DeShone Kizer threw two scoring passes, the second the 10-yarder to Robinson that made it 38-31.

Southern California played for the first time since firing coach Steve Sarkisian, with interim coach Clay Helton directing the Trojans.

The Fighting Irish (6-1) bounced back from an embarrassing 35-point loss to USC in the regular-season finale last year. The victory looked in doubt when the Trojans (3-3) scored three straight touchdowns to take a 31-24 lead. But the Irish rallied to win the Jeweled Shillelagh for the third time in four seasons.

It marked the first time in seven tries the Irish beat the Trojans after losing by 30 or more the season before.

Cody Kessler threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and USC but the Irish picked him off twice in the fourth quarter to put the game away. The Owls (6-0, 3-0 American Athletic Conference) made two-point conversions after both of Thomas’ fourth quarter TDs.

Temple became bowl eligible with the win, which gave the Owls their first 6-0 season start since 1974.

Central Florida (0-7, 0-3) was held to just 137 yards of total offense but took a 1614 lead in the third quarter with a 41-yard field goal by Matthew Wright, who also sent 48- and 27-yard kicks through the uprights. The Knights’ only touchdown came from Shaquill Griffin, who intercepted Walker’s pass in the second quarter and returned it 81 yards.

DARRON CUMMINGS — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Notre Dame’s Corey Robinson (88) makes a 10-yard touchdown reception while being defended by Southern California’s Iman Marshall during the second half Saturday.