LOS ANGELES -- This past weekend might have been the biggest recruiting event in Notre Dame history, but the USC Trojans did the best they could to use it to their advantage, coming away with a 31-17 victory.

While the Irish hosted 16 official visitors and dozens more on unofficial visits, the Trojans left South Bend, Ind., with their fifth consecutive win at Notre Dame Stadium. Many of those visitors aren't on USC's list of targets for the 2012 class, but several priorities received a clear message from the Trojans -- specifically from head coach Lane Kiffin, when asked about winning such a big game in front of so many recruits.

"Have you ever heard of free advertising?" Kiffin said.

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