Notre Dame @ Southern California preview
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Oct 17, 2009 ) Southern California 34, Notre Dame 27
One of the oldest and most storied intersectional rivalries in college football resumes at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Saturday when USC hosts Notre Dame. The Trojans have won the last eight straight games against the Irish and come into the game with a 7-4 record. Notre Dame, winners of two straight over Utah and Army, are 6-5.
The Irish defense has now surrendered only one offensive touchdown in the last 11 quarters. Against both Utah and Army, Notre Dame gave up just a first quarter field goal and then shut out both opponents. Freshman quarterback Tommy Rees is now 2-0 as a starter and has hit on 63 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns. Sophomore Cierre Wood has rushed for 433 yards and has gotten the bulk of the carries with Armando Allen out for the year. All-American wide receiver candidate Michael Floyd leads the Irish in receptions with 62 for 830 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Trojans were blasted by Oregon State 36-7 last Saturday in Corvallis and lost quarterback Matt Barkley with a high ankle sprain. Barkley didn’t play in the second half and his status is uncertain for Saturday’s game. His back-up, senior Mitch Mustain, completed 8 of 17 passes for 60 yards in the second half against the Beavers. Mustain, a transfer from Arkansas, was 8-0 as a starter for the Razorbacks before transferring to USC in 2007. Also injured was leading Trojan rusher Marc Tyler (820 yards). His status is also uncertain, but the Trojans have capable back-ups in Allen Bradford (582 yards) and C.J. Gable (216 yards). USC’s two leading receivers — Robert Woods and Ronald Johnson — both have 53 receptions.
First year coaches Brian Kelly and Lane Kiffin are both attempting to restore glory to once-proud programs. The first game between the two teams was in 1926 between legendary coaches Knute Rockne and Howard Jones. This is the 82nd game of the series with the Irish having a 42-34-5 edge. But their last victory was in October 2001.