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Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism University of Southern California
Sports

Kessler Curses the Irish

After an ugly loss to cross-town rival UCLA the previous week, Cody Kessler and the USC Trojans bounced back in big-time fashion versus Notre Dame.

The Trojans knew they wouldn't get a chance to play for a Pac-12 Conference championship, so they settled for a convincing victory over a heated rival.

USC dominated Notre Dame, 49-14, Saturday at the Los Angeles Coliseum to end the regular season with an 8-4 mark heading into bowl season. Although the game was a great way for the seniors to go out, it was junior quarterback Cody Kessler who stole the show. Kessler threw for 372 yards and six touchdowns; it was the first time in history that any quarterback has thrown six touchdowns against the Fighting Irish.

During the first half, Kessler threw touchdown passes on five consecutive possessions.

"I'm starting to feel a lot more comfortable," Kessler said. "Throughout the whole season, I think it's shown that our team has been growing. Obviously, it's been up and down, but I just feel so relaxed and comfortable in the pocket."

At one point, Kessler, who went 32 of 40 with no interceptions, completed 16 consecutive passes. His six touchdowns went to five different receivers. After his big performance, some are already touting the quarterback as an early 2015 Heisman Trophy candidate. For his efforts against Notre Dame, Kessler was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season. He finished the season with 3,505 yards passing, 36 touchdowns, and four interceptions while completing over 70 percent of his passes. 

Even though there is a bowl game remaining, Kessler believes this game could serve as a launchpad toward the 2015 season.

"It meant a lot, not only for the seniors but for going into next year," Kessler said. "It's kind of a spring forward into next year."

 

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