The kicking game was really bad that year, and in 1996

Against Southern Cal, ND led 17-10 in the fourth quarter, and lined up for a field goal that would've sealed a 12th straight win in the series. Instead, Southern Cal blocked the kick and returned it deep into ND territory. They later scored a TD and tied the game at 17, which ended up being the final score. It was the last tie in ND history.

Two years later, a missed extra point left ND ahead of USC 20-12 instead of 21-12. USC scored a TD and made a 2-point conversion to tie the game at 20, and then won it in OT to end ND's 13-game unbeaten streak in the series.