- USC is getting healthier at just the right time. Head coach Clay Helton said that WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, DL Stevie Tu'ikolovatu and DL Josh Fatu were all back at practice.
-
USC's seniors will be honored on Saturday before the game. Helton is extremely appreciative of this veteran group which has experienced a ton of adversity over the last four years. "This class has been the ultimate in battle-tested," said Helton. "They've done a terrific job through the high times and the lows and stayed even keeled. And now they have a chance to do something really special down the stretch here."
- While DT Stevie Tu'ikolovatu is a senior, he's only been at USC for one year, so he does not expect to be quite as emotional as some of his teammates. But, he has had his eye on this opponent for a while. "I am just excited to play against Notre Dame," said the Utah grad transfer. "I have never played against them before. They have the reputation of having good offensive linemen. I'm excited for the challenge."
- After the game, all Trojan eyes will be on Utah and Colorado as USC's Pac-12 South fate hangs in the balance. "They said they were going to take care of Colorado for us," reported Tu'ikolovatu, who spoke to his former teammates on Sunday. "I think they'll do a good job against Colorado and get us in a position that we need to be in. Everybody here in LA will be happy."
- While the Trojans want another shot at the Pac-12 Championship Game, they know that they have to focus on the task at hand first, which is beating Notre Dame. "We've just got to play like we have everything to lose because we do have everything to lose and they don't have anything to lose," Tu'ikolovatu said. "We can't let them come in and ruin our season."
- Over this improbable seven-game winning streak, USC has bonded together when outsiders were suggesting that the Trojans would break apart. "This month of November, we're playing as together as a team probably since I've been here," said Helton, who is in his seventh year coaching at USC. "It just feels like all three phases are playing together extremely well and leaning on each other."
- While the stars have aligned for the Trojans over a perfect October and so far immaculate November, Helton's word of the week is "finish."
- Here is Helton on a cold and windy night in Los Angeles:
