Matt Leinart Talks USC-Notre Dame, ‘Bush Push’ Anniversary

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Matt Leinart Talks USC-Notre Dame, ‘Bush Push’ Anniversary

Kyle Wood · Athlon Sports

Wed, Oct 15, 2025 ·

5 min read

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Few college football rivalries can match the rich history of USC - Notre Dame . The Trojans and Fighting Irish have played almost every season for the last century, and they will share the field for the 96th time this Saturday in South Bend, Indiana.

Beyond the uncertain future of the series past 2026, this matchup feels like it carries more weight than usual. It's essentially a College Football Playoff elimination game for No. 20 USC and No. 13 Notre Dame. The former already has a loss in Big Ten play and the latter can ill afford a third defeat and still hope to return to the 12-team field.

"It's always fun when this game means something," former Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart told Athlon Sports. "Notre Dame has dominated this game for what feels like the last decade, so there hasn't been a ton at stake for the most part, other than just the rivalry and trying to beat that opposing team. This year, it's different. There's a lot at stake for both teams, which I think amplifies this game even more."

Leinart knows better than most the special place USC-Notre Dame holds in college football lore. The 2004 Heisman Trophy winner never lost to the Irish, leading the Trojans to blowout wins in 2003 and 2004 en route to back-to-back national titles. But the 2005 game was the most memorable.

No. 9 Notre Dame had top-ranked USC on the ropes with seven seconds to go in the fourth quarter when Leinart barreled his way into the end zone — though not without a little help from Reggie Bush . Though technically an illegal play, no penalty was called for Bush pushing Leinart across the plane.

Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart (11) runs the ball into the end zone for the winning score, with a nudge from teammate Reggie Bush (5), against Notre Dame on Oct. 15, 2005, at Notre Dame Stadium.

The Trojans won the game — 20 years ago Wednesday — on a play that came to be known as the "Bush Push."

"It's just one of those that stays with you forever," said Leinart, now a Fox Sports college football analyst who is working with Abbott and the Big Ten for the second season of "The We Give Blood Drive," a campaign and competition involving all 18 conference members. "To look back 20 years ago and say you're a part of one of the great rivalries in college sports, you're part of one of the great plays with the Bush Push and that kind of name lives on forever, so super grateful."

USC had the upper hand on Notre Dame in the 2000s, but that power dynamic has shifted in recent years. The Fighting Irish have won 10 of the past 14 meetings, including the past two by 20-plus points. The Trojans also haven't won in South Bend since 2011.

Overall, USC has been headed in the wrong direction since 2022, which was also the most recent time it beat Notre Dame. The transition to the Big Ten has yet to net much success, but Leinart thinks last week's win over then-No. 15 Michigan was a turning point for the Trojans.

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USC bucked its trend of poor play at the line of scrimmage in a 31-13 statement win. The Trojans kept the Wolverines' run game in check and got home on quarterback Bryce Underwood . They also ran for over 200 yards and protected quarterback Jayden Maiava .

"We just haven't had toughness in this program for a long time," Leinart said. "Pete Carroll, we had it. There was a toughness. There's a culture. There's an accountability, and that's kind of been missing. I think we're getting that back. I believe that."

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) heads on to the field for the Trojans' game against Michigan at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 11, 2025.

Leinart praised the growth of Maiava since he took over for Miller Moss late last season. He also said Maiava, who ranks No. 3 nationally in passing yards, could be right back in the Heisman race with a win this weekend.

And it's impossible to talk about Maiava's excellent season without bringing up wide receiver Makai Lemon , who's No. 2 in receiving yards and seems to have a mind meld with his quarterback. Leinart, who played with standout skill-position players at USC, had high praise for Lemon, and said he's going to be a great pro.

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The Trojans will need Maiava and Lemon in sync on Saturday to get past the Fighting Irish. Since Notre Dame's 0-2 start to the season, the defense has picked up its play. The offense is also as explosive as ever with CJ Carr under center and Jeremiyah Love next to him in the backfield.

Leinart declined to make a prediction just yet, but he said it's important for USC to start fast. The Trojans struck first against Michigan, which could be the blueprint for tackling their tough remaining schedule, which includes games at No. 25 Nebraska and No. 8 Oregon .

"It's a game that you can go back and say, 'Guys, we can do this. If we play like this, we could play with any team in the country,'" Leinart said. "That's the belief, and that's a fact. It's just the consistency with which you can do it. The great teams, week in and week out, play at a high level. And they're not a great team yet. They're a really good football team that's got a shot."

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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