Attendance Record Likely to Fall Today

Top-ranked USC is expected to break its home attendance record today when the Trojans play Notre Dame at the sold-out Coliseum.

USC set the record in 2003 when it averaged 77,804 for six home games.

The Trojans have drawn an average of 83,752 for games against Colorado State, California, Arizona State, Washington and Arizona.

The Cal and Arizona State games were sellouts, as is today’s.

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USC offensive lineman Jeff Byers will play against Notre Dame for the first time, but the freshman from Colorado is no stranger to the rivalry.

Last year, Byers was on a recruiting trip at Notre Dame when USC played in South Bend, Ind.

“That was my fifth trip -- they were definitely in the hunt,” Byers said of the Fighting Irish.

The Trojans whipped Notre Dame, 45-14. Byers said the outcome did not sway him.

“I wasn’t really looking at that,” Byers said. “I was trying to see how I fit in with the guys and all that stuff.”

Byers is expected to start at left guard for the third game in a row in place of senior John Drake, who has been nursing a high ankle sprain. Drake is expected to play, however.

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Seven players from Southland high schools are on Notre Dame’s roster: offensive lineman James Bonelli and defensive back Terrail Lambert of Ventura St. Bonaventure, defensive end Chris Frome of Newhall Hart, receiver Rhema McKnight of La Palma Kennedy, defensive lineman Brandon Nicolas of Santa Ana Mater Dei, defensive back Freddie Parish IV of Long Beach Poly and defensive back Anthony Vernaglia of Orange Lutheran.

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ESPN’s “College GameDay” show will emanate from the Coliseum this morning.... The forecast calls for possible showers during the game.... Trading cards honoring former USC running back Anthony Davis will be distributed to the first 20,000 fans. Davis scored 11 touchdowns -- three on kickoff returns -- in three games against Notre Dame in 1972, ’73 and ’74.... The last time USC was 10-0, in 1988, the second-ranked Trojans lost to top-ranked Notre Dame, 27-10, at the Coliseum.... USC’s 19-game winning streak is second in the nation. Boise State has a 21-game streak.... USC’s 20-game home win streak ties a school record set from 1919 to ’23 and matched from 1927 to ’29.