GAME PREVIEW: USC
Since the start of the series in 1926,
a USC head coach is 2-11 in his first
encounter against Notre Dame. The
two who achieved the victories were
John Robinson in 1976 (17-13), with
a team that finished No. 2 nationally,
and Paul Hackett in 1998 (10-0), when
Irish quarterback Jarious Jackson was
unable to play because of an injury.
While Notre Dame will attempt to
win its third straight in the Coliseum
and third straight overall in the series
for the first time since 1999-2001, Tro-
jans head coach Steve Sarkisian will
chase his own version of three by at-
tempting to become the third first-year
USC coach to vanquish the Irish in his
first try. ❏
Junior wideout Nelson Agholor, who had 209 all-purpose yards versus the Irish in 2013, ranked 10th
nationally in both receiving yards per game (107.9) and punt return average (13.1) through Nov. 15.
PHOTO COURTESY USC ATHLETICS
