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USC looks to regain form at Notre Dame

Oct 20, 2007 - 10:38 AM No. 13 USC (5-1) at Notre Dame (1-6) 3:30 pm EDT

SOUTH BEND, Indiana (Ticker) -- Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart are long gone from the Southern California program. Even with his team struggling, Trojans coach Pete Carroll likely has way too much talent on his current roster to worry too much about Notre Dame.

Two years after Bush helped Leinart into the end zone to cap a USC's wild win here, the 13th-ranked Trojans look to get untracked Saturday against the Fighting Irish, who need to win this game to have any chance of a bowl this season.

In 2005, Bush gave a friendly push into Leinart's back, helping the quarterback score a last-gasp touchdown in a 34-31 win here.

Last year, USC thumped Notre Dame in Los Angeles, 44-24, for its fifth straight win in the rivalry.

The Trojans began this season ranked first but have looked shaky for much of the campaign.

After several close calls, they lost at home to 41-point underdog Stanford, 24-23, on October 6 before struggling to down middling Arizona last week, 20-13.

The Trojans trailed early in the fourth quarter, 13-10, before true freshman Joe McKnight returned a punt 45 yards to set up a 25-yard TD toss from Mark Sanchez to Fred Davis.

Sanchez was starting in place of John David Booty, who broke the middle finger on his throwing hand against the Cardinal. Booty reportedly will play Saturday.

Notre Dame slipped to 1-6 on the campaign with a 27-14 loss to then-No. 4 Boston College last Saturday.

True freshman Jimmy Clausen completed just 7-of-20 passes for 60 yards with two interceptions. He was replaced by junior Evan Sharpley, who went 11-of-29 for 135 yards and a TD and will get the starting nod this week.

The Irish rank dead last of the 119 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing (32.14 yards per game), total offense (190.86) and sacks allowed (4.86).