Caleb Williams has been the best quarterback in college football for the better part of a year-and-a-half. But today is on track to be his worse outing as a college quarterback.
Through the first 31 games of his college career, Williams never had more than two interceptions in a game. But in the rain at Notre Dame Stadium at South Bend, he already has three in the first half alone.
We all knew going in that Notre Dame would represent the biggest challenge USC had faced thus far. Despite losing last week to Louisville, they were favorites heading into today’s game due in no small part to their rock solid defense.
Williams learned the hard way that the Fighting Irish defense is a tough nut to crack.
USC’s opening drive was a Williams interception that led directly to a Notre Dame touchdown three plays later.
In the second quarter, Williams tossed two interceptions on back-to-back drives that also led to Notre Dame touchdowns.
3 INTS! for Caleb Williams, what is going on tonight?
Already down 17-3.pic.twitter.com/AZ2c2Eu1X3https://t.co/3MnK4txpEv
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 15, 2023
The end result was Notre Dame heading into halftime with a 24-6 lead and putting the USC Trojans at a dangerous risk of being knocked out of the top 10 next week.
A loss for the Trojans today would require them to win all of their remaining games in order to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.
As for Caleb Williams, this is the first time in a long time that he’s looked truly mortal and that could come back to bite him in the Heisman Trophy voting or even the NFL draft process.
The game is being played on NBC.