One of the most epic accomplishments in the history of the USC athletic department was concluded at 2 a.m. on Tuesday.

It had nothing to do with a game, a championship or a player. Instead, it was all about transporting the team’s equipment to South Bend, Ind., for last weekend’s trip to play Notre Dame.

One truck, ten days, 4,400 miles and 11,000 pounds of equipment — what a journey.

For any trips away from the West Coast, the USC equipment staff had always shipped the gear via planes. But not this time, as director of equipment operations David “Pops” Scott chose to send the team’s 11,000 pounds of gear by truck all the way to South Bend. The truck, carrying everything but the players’ pads and helmets and the team’s video equipment, departed campus on Oct. 10, arrived in northern Indiana on Oct. 13 and was back on the road immediately after Saturday’s game. It pulled into L.A. early Tuesday morning.

“It exceeded my expectations and I’m extremely happy with the results,” Scott said.

Football equipment coordinator Tino Dominguez and Scott organized the effort, while Howard Griffin and Luis Aguilar of the USC Bookstore were the two drivers, who alternated driving duties during the trip. “I have nothing but ultimate praise for them,” Scott said.

Above all, Scott was ecstatic on his final review of the trip, the longest one the USC equipment staff has ever undertaken solely by truck.

“It was money,” Scott said.