SOUTH BEND — In the shadow of Hollywood’s back lots, Notre Dame football defensive backs Christian Gray and Xavier Watts played their version of the old TV show, “Can You Top This?” to close out Saturday’s 49-35 win over USC.

Both ended up in the school’s gaudy record book.

As USC drove for the potential tying touchdown in the fourth quarter, Gray made an acrobatic snag of Jayden Maiava’s back-shoulder throw for Kyron Hudson at the goal line. Gray, a sophomore cornerback, scored on a 99-yard return down the home sideline.

That made it 42-28 with 3:39 remaining and marked the longest interception return for a Notre Dame player since Luther Bradley’s 99-yarder at Purdue in 1975.