What’s next for USC? Rivalry game vs. Notre Dame
USC at No. 13 Notre Dame
When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. PT
Where: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
TV/Radio: NBC (Ch. 4) / 790 AM
Records: USC 3-3 overall, 2-3 in Pac-12; Notre Dame is 5-1
USC update: The Trojans are coming off their bye week, which was spent trying to gather up the pieces after another demoralizing loss, this time to Utah at home. … The big storyline for USC entering the week is whether true freshman QB Jaxson Dart (meniscus) will be fully cleared to return, thus setting up a competition for the starting job with Kedon Slovis. … USC held a young-player scrimmage Thursday, with the hope of giving some freshmen and sophomores the chance to prove they deserve more playing time. LB Raesjon Davis and CB Jaylin Smith were expected to get a heavy look from the coaching staff. … DT Ishmael Sopsher (compartment syndrome surgery) is nearing a return to action, with the primary question at this point being if he has the stamina for extended play.
Notre Dame update: The Fighting Irish are also coming off a bye week following a 32-29 win over Virginia Tech. … Notre Dame’s season-long quarterback conundrum was on full display in the win, with senior Jack Coan being benched after the first quarter for his shaky performance. But Coan came back to replace freshman Tyler Buchner following his two interceptions, and Coan led two fourth-quarter scoring drives to complete a comeback win. … The Irish have won three straight against USC, and four in a row in South Bend. …This game will be a renewal of the storied rivalry after the two programs did not play in 2020 due to the shortened season in the midst of the pandemic. It was the first time USC and Notre Dame did not play in a season since the 1943-45 hiatus due to World War II.
Adam Grosbard (OC Register)
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