USC 34, Notre Dame 27

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame is 4-2 midway through this season of its supposed redemption, with each of the last five games coming down to the last possession. Though the Irish made a game of it with a thrill-ride fourth-quarter comeback, the sting of Saturday’s 34-27 loss to Southern California is bound to linger — not just because they missed on four chances at a tying touchdown from inside the USC 10-yard line in the final seconds, but because earlier lapses left them in an inescapable three-score hole. Coach Charlie Weis was defiant as he remained 0-for-USC after five tries as Notre Dame’s coach. and still in search of a “signature” victory.