By Darin 
The 1964 regular-season finale between No. 1 Notre Dame and unranked USC was supposed to be a coronation. Under first-year coach Ara Parseghian, the Fighting Irish were undefeated, boasting Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback John Huarte, and playing for a near-certain national championship bid. However, this November 28 contest at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum proved that in college football, history is always one play away from being rewritten—especially in the rivalry known as “The Greatest Rivalry in College Football.”
The Upset Unfolds: The game began exactly as the Irish intended. Notre Dame’s powerful attack quickly established a commanding 17-0 lead, silencing the Trojan crowd and making the championship narrative feel inevitable. Yet, the unranked USC Trojans refused to yield. Fueled by a relentless defensive effort, they slowly clawed their way back into the contest throughout the second half, chipping away at the lead and injecting an unexpected tension into the stadium.
The dramatic climax arrived in the final minutes. With the score tight and the clock winding down, USC drove deep into Irish territory. Facing a critical fourth down and fifteen yards to go for the tie, Trojans quarterback Craig Fertig delivered an unforgettable strike. He lofted a 15-yard touchdown pass to Rod Sherman, stunning the No. 1 team in the nation. The goal line drama secured the incredible 20-17 victory for the Trojans with just 1:35 left on the clock.
Conclusion: This legendary defeat crushed Notre Dame’s perfect season and their national championship hopes, leaving the entire college football landscape in shock. The loss became a monumental moment in the storied rivalry, proving that ranking and record mean nothing when the Irish and the Trojans meet. The 1964 game stands as one of the most remarkable and gut-wrenching upsets in Notre Dame history, forever defining the high-stakes drama of the final Saturday of the season.
Article from Nov 29, 1964 The Register (Santa Ana, California)