Fueled by the electrifying play of Heisman Trophy hopeful John Huarte, Notre Dame stormed to a 17-0 halftime lead. However, the second half saw a dramatic turn of events. USC, aided by some controversial officiating calls, mounted a furious comeback. With just 1:35 remaining, the Trojans completed a fourth-down touchdown pass to take a 20-17 lead.

One of the most disputed plays of the game occurred on USC's final touchdown drive. The Trojans' quarterback, Craig Fertig, appeared to fumble the ball, which should have been recovered by the Irish defense. However, the officials ruled the play as an incomplete pass, allowing USC to continue their drive and ultimately score the winning touchdown.

This stunning upset, coupled with the questionable officiating, cemented the game's place in college football history. The 1964 USC-Notre Dame game is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and controversial contests ever played.