By Darin 
Introduction
November 30, 1974, stands as one of the most unbelievable dates in the history of college football’s greatest rivalry. When the No. 6 USC Trojans faced the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the stage was set for a classic—but no one predicted the sheer scale of the turnaround that would unfold. After trailing 24-6 at halftime, USC engineered a second-half scoring explosion known simply as “The Comeback,” delivering a crushing 55-24 defeat that remains legendary to this day.
The Context and The Prophecy
The atmosphere was electric, but the mood turned dark for the home crowd as Notre Dame dominated the first half, marching to a commanding 24-6 lead. In the locker room, Trojans Coach John McKay, ever the master motivator, delivered a prophecy that would define his career. He looked at his team and announced that star running back Anthony Davis was going to return the second-half kickoff for a touchdown.
What followed wasn’t just inspirational—it was miraculous. Davis fielded the kickoff and, true to McKay’s word, raced 102 yards for a touchdown. It was an immediate seismic shift that cut the deficit to 24-12 and ignited a firestorm of momentum that Notre Dame could not extinguish.
The Trojans’ Unstoppable Storm
Anthony Davis’s kickoff return was merely the spark. The Trojans defense, revitalized by the sudden surge, shut down the Irish attack, forcing short possessions and turnovers. USC’s offense, unleashed, was relentless. The team scored 49 unanswered points in the second half, turning a humiliating deficit into a historic rout. The 55-24 final score was a dizzying reflection of the Trojans’ dominance after halftime, a stunning reversal that demonstrated the power of momentum and coaching belief. “The Comeback” secured USC’s place in the college football pantheon, teaching a timeless lesson: never quit at halftime.
Conclusion
The 1974 USC-Notre Dame game transcends mere rivalry history; it is an epic story of motivational genius, athletic brilliance, and sheer determination. Coach John McKay’s famous prediction and Anthony Davis’s subsequent 102-yard return are indelible moments forever etched in the rivalry’s lore. For the Trojans, it was a defining victory; for the Irish, a lesson in football’s cruel and sudden reversals. “The Comeback” remains the gold standard for incredible second-half turnarounds in college football.
Article from Dec 1, 1974 The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, California)