LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Robert Hughes scored on a 5-yard TD run with 2:44 remaining Saturday, boosting Notre Dame to a 20-16 victory over Southern California.
Trailing 16-13, the Fighting Irish (7-5) took over the ball on their own 23-yard line with 6:18 remaining and went on a seven-play, 77-yard scoring drive, which included back-to-back, 12-yard runs by Hughes leading up to his TD scamper.
Hughes carried 11 times for 69 yards and Tommy Rees went 20-of-24 for 149 yards and two touchdowns, surviving three interceptions to help the Irish take their third straight win.
Michael Floyd caught 11 passes for 86 yards and a score, and Cierre Wood picked up 89 yards on 15 carries for Notre Dame.
USC (7-5) had a chance for a final score when quarterback Mitch Mustain, making the first start in his four years at the school, drove the Trojans into Irish territory but his pass was intercepted with 36 seconds left.
Mustain finished 20-of-37 for 177 yards for the Trojans.
