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Notre Dame's Jerry Tillery delivered 2 awful cheap shots in blowout loss to USC

sam cooper
College football writer
Notre Dame safety Nicco Fertitta, left, puts a hit on USC's Aca'Cedric Ware, center. Fertitta was ejected from the game after being called for targeting on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Notre Dame safety Nicco Fertitta, left, puts a hit on USC’s Aca’Cedric Ware, center. Fertitta was ejected from the game after being called for targeting on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Notre Dame’s disastrous season came to an end with a loss to USC on Saturday and defensive lineman Jerry Tillery really let his frustration get the best of him.

Twice during the course of the loss, Tillery delivered cheap shots to USC players who were on the ground, one of whom appeared to be seriously injured after a targeting call.

Irish safety Nicco Fertitta was ejected for a hit on Trojans running back Aca’Cedric Ware. While Ware was laying on the ground with what looked like a head injury, Tillery delivered what could be considered a kick to Ware’s helmet.

Tillery1
Tillery1

Here’s another look:

And if that wasn’t bad enough, Tillery later stomped directly on the foot of USC tackle Zach Banner, who was lying flat on his back.

Tillery2
Tillery2

Tillery was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for the stomp and he was rightly chewed out on the sideline by head coach Brian Kelly. It could be argued that the sophomore should be suspended for at least part of next year’s season opener.

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USC went on to win the game 45-27. With the loss, Notre Dame finished its season at 4-8.

For more Notre Dame news, visit BlueAndGold.com.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!