With the defense finally playing up to preseason expectations, Notre Dame hung on last Saturday to beat arch-rival Southern California, 14-10, for the third win in four years over the Trojans but only the first at ND stadium since 2001.

It was ND's defensive effort, especially in the second half, that keyed the win. ND needed that defense to step up when the Irish loss quarterback Tommy Rees with nine minues to go in the third quarter. After Rees left the game with what was later diagnosed as a strained neck, ND needed the defense because for all intent and purposes the Irish had no offense after that.Backup Andrew Hendrix came in to replace Rees but it was obvious he was not ready to lead the team - and that lack of preparation falls on the shoulders of head coach Brian Kelly and his offensive staff.Hendrix, touted as a decent passer and good runner, didn't do either very well. In fact, the Irish deliberately looked like they didn't trust Hendrix to throw the ball and that is a problem because ND still has yet to establish any kind of a running attack.The game was iced when sophomore cornerback KeiVarase Russell put a jarring hit on USC receiver Nelson Agholor on a fourth-and-eight play from the Irish 41. The incompletion gave the Irish the ball with 54 seconds left and USC with no time outs.The real defensive hero was junior defensive end Stephon Tuitt. Tuitt, who was rated a top defensive end by many prior to the season, fell quickly in the pro football rankings as the season progressed. However, in the last two weeks or so Tuitt seems to have found himself and in doing so has put new life in the ND defense that has looked very lackluster so far this year.The Irish managed just 27 yards in total offense, all on the ground, once Hendrix came into the game. The only first down during Hendrix's time on the field was fumbled away by runningback Cam McDaniel two plays later.The win puts the Irish at 5-2. They must run the table if they expect a high level BCS game.Today ND travels to Air Force, a team that is really struggling. The Falcons enter the game at 1-6. AF opened with a win over Colgate, 38-13, then lost six in a row to Utah State, 52-20; Boise State, 42-20; Wyoming, 56-23; Nevada, 45-42; Navy, 28-10; and San Diego State, 27-20.The Falcons have been led by QB Jaleel Awini, who is 21 of 42 with one interception for 275 yards. Also getting playing time at QB is Karson Roberts, who is 14-30-2 and 207 yards with three TD throws. By those stats you can tell AF doesn't throw the ball a lot. Top rushers are Broam Hart, 89 carries for 389 yards and three TDs, Jon Lee, 51-357-3, Anthony Lacaste 59-293-3; and Awini, 45-250-4. The Falcons average 268 rush yards per game and 102 passing. To be honest, this is a relatively very young Air Force team.ND leads to series, 23-6. The last game between the schools was on Oct. 8, 2011, with ND winning, 59-33.The game will be televised on the CBS Sports Network and it may be hard to find on your cable system. Kickoff is set for about 5:10 p.m. Service Electric Cable TV carries the channel at 172 on its digital sports tier and at 672 on its high definition tier. Blue Ridge Cable carries the channel at 204 digital tier and 629 high definition tier.IRISH NOTES:Rees was cleared to practice on Tuesday and will start today. Rees was 14 of 21 for 166 yards and two touchdowns before he got hurt last week. Hendrix was 0-4. Rushing was led by McDaniel with 18 rushes and 92 yards, George Atkinson III 8-40, Amir Carlisle 3-12, Hendrix 6-5. Receiving, Troy Niklas four catches for 58 yards and a score, TJ Jones 4-46 and a score, DaVaris Daniels, 3-44. Defensively, Carlo Calabrese led the way with nine tackes with Tuitt getting seven....ND's defensive pressure was the key to the Irish win, according to USC coach Ed Orgeron....As I reported last week Lou Holtz and the national 1988 title team was honored during weekend events. At the Friday night pep rally Holtz fired up the faithful with one of his inspiring speeches which included this gem. "USC stands for the University of Spoiled Children" and "Most of their football players chose USC over UCLA, because it's easier to spell."....The starting time of the Pittsburgh game has finally been set. It will be 1 p.m....AF has used three QBs this season and started out with no one on the roster with any kind of experience. I learned that Awini, mentioned above, is out indefinitely as "a cadet not in good standing." Kale Pearson started for AF in its opener but was injured in the second quarter and is loss for the season. Roberts started the next three games then went out with an injury on Oct. 10. He did practice this week....ND exiled QB Everett Golson has completed all the necessary paperwork to re-enroll at ND for the spring semester. In the meantime he has been training with "quarterback engineer" George Whitfield Jr. in San Diego, Calif., most of the summer and fall but will finish with him in November....Nose guard Louis Nix suffered a shoulder injury in the USC game and developed knee tendinitis and soreness. He did not make the trip today for the game. Tuitt is expected to replace Nix at nose guard while Kelly rotates several players to fill Tuitt's position....Other injured in the USC game were safety Elijah Shumate and cornerback Bennett Jackson. Both should be ready today....ND lost another player and a key one. Offensive guard Christian Lombard underwent back surgery this week and is lost for the season. He's a key man who has been very good in protecting Rees in passing situations....AF runs the option offense, which has always given ND problems. AF does not run it as much as next week's opponent, Navy....You never take a team for granted. Today the Irish are 30 point favorites to beat the Falcons. In my preseason picks I have the Irish winning. There is no reason to change that. But ND must guard against the usual letdown that comes after playing a big rivalry game like last week against USC.