USC vs. Notre Dame Football 2009
Trojans Aim for 8th Straight Victory Over Fighting Irish
USC will seek its ninth consecutive football victory in a 3:30 p.m. EST game at Notre Dame, Ind. The Fighting Irish hold a 42-33-5 lead in the series, but the Trojans have won the last seven games between the teams. And only one of those seven contests – a 34-31 USC win in 2005 – was close.
The Trojans won the other six by at least 20 points, and five of the triumphs were by 31 or more. Last year, USC rolled to a 38-3 triumph in Los Angeles.
USC's winning streak is the second-longest in the series, behind Notre Dame's string of 11 consecutive victories from 1983 to 1993. The Fighting Irish were actually 12-0-1 against the Trojans over a 13-year span.
Coach Charlie Weis' Irish wouldn't mind starting something like that again, but to do it, they'll have to overcome a USC team that owns a 4-1 record and a No. 6 national ranking. The Trojans also boast one of the nation's best defenses.
Notre Dame, also 4-1, is No. 25. The Fighting Irish feature a flamboyant offense and have shown a penchant for pulling out close games. Three of their four victories were by seven points or less – including 37-30 overtime over Washington on Oct. 3.
Washington is the only team to defeat USC, scoring a 16-13 upset on Sept. 19. The Trojans played that game without starting quarterback Matt Barkley and defensive star Taylor Mays, who were both injured. Both have since returned, and Pete Carroll's team hs won two in a row, the last being a 30-3 trashing of Cal on Oct. 3.
Both USC and Notre Dame will enter their matchup after a two-week rest. Their game will be telecast by NBC.
USC Defense Maintaining Dominance
Even with a lineup dominated by first-year starters, the Trojans defense continues to excel, ranking among the national leaders in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense. They're yielding only 8.6 points and 238.6 yards per game, and giving up just 64.8 rushing yards a contest.
USC is also one of the nation's leaders in sacks. The Trojans have recorded 21 – including six by redshirt freshman defensive end Nick Perry, four by end Everson Griffen and three by linebacker Michael Morgan.
Linebacker Chris Galippo is the USC tackles leader with 32, which include five losses. Mays, the 6-3, 235-pound free safety, has managed 28 in four games.
Morgan's made 25 tackles, with a team-high 9.5 being for losses. Perry is second in tackles for losses with seven.
Trojans Offense Picking Up Steam
The USC offense was disappointing over the first four games, but kicked things into gear with 457 yards against Cal. The Trojans opened up their passing game, with Barkley firing 35 times and Damian Williams coming up with eight catches for 11 yards.
Southern Cal is now averaging 222.6 yards per game passing and 208 rushing. Its steadiest weapon has been running back Joe McKnight, who's carried 67 times for 473 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. McKnight has also made 11 catches for 93 yards.
Barkley has completed 63 of 107 passes for 958 yards, throwing a trio of touchdown passes against two interceptions. Williams is USC's top receiver with 24 catches for 359 yards, and the punt returner with a stellar 16.5 average and one TD.
Other USC threats include fullback Stanley Havili (13 catches, 188 yards), running back Allen Bradford (28 carries, 183 yards) and tight end Anthony McCoy (9 receptions, 197 yards). Running back Stafon Johnson (5 TDs) remains out because of a serious throat injury suffered during a weightlifting accident.
Fighting Irish Finding a Way
Notre Dame's offense has been battered by injuries, and its defense has been vulnerable. But the Fighting Irish have won three straight since their 38-34 loss to Michigan the second week of the season.
It hasn't hurt that the Irish have the nation's passing efficiency leader in Jimmy Clausen. Despite being hindered by a bad toe, Clausen's completed 100 of 148 passes for 1,544 yards. He's thrown 12 touchdown passes against just two interceptions, compiling a passing efficiency rating of 179.25.
Golden State has been the main target, with 33 catches for 602 yards and four touchdowns. Tight end Kyle Rudolph has brought in 21 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns.
Running back Armando Allen, who's battled ankle problems, is the leading rusher with 71 carries for 364 yards and three touchdowns. Allen has also made 10 catches for 75 yards in four games.
Notre Dame is putting up 32.6 points per game and 470 yards of total offense per game, including 322 yards through the air.
Freshman Linebacker Helps Boost Irish Defense
The Notre Dame defense is still struggling, giving up 403 yards a contest, including 263.6 passing. But there were some positives in the Washington game. One was an overtime defensive stand that locked up the victory.
Another was the play of freshman Manti Te'o, who made a career-high 10 tackles. Teo, a former prep star from Hawaii, was the object of a fierce recruiting battle between Notre Dame and USC.
Strong safety Kyle McCarthy's been everywhere for the Irish, recording team highs of 49 tackles, three interceptions and six passes defended. Free safety, Harrison Smith is second in tackles with 32 and linebacker Brian Smith has 26.
Darius Fleming, who sat out the Washington game because of a bad hamstring, paces Notre Dame with seven tackles for losses and two sacks.
Notre Dame has been allowing 23.8 points per game.
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