COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : USC : Losses to Irish Hurt the Most

USC’s 31-0 loss to Washington in 1990 was its worst against a conference opponent in the last 32 years, but senior safety Stephon Pace said other losses have hurt worse.

“The lowest point is when we lose to Notre Dame because we go out on the field and we’re just as talented, just as good, but we don’t make the plays,” Pace said. “It’s frustrating when you go out on the field and one play decides the game.

“People say we get bad calls against Notre Dame, but those aren’t the factors in us winning or losing because those are minor plays. The big plays are the ones we don’t make, and the ones they do make. That’s what’s frustrating.”

USC is 0-9 against Notre Dame since 1982.

Washington Coach Don James, whose No. 2-ranked team will play USC on Oct. 3 at Seattle, said that he will continue to use both of his top two quarterbacks, junior starter Billy Joe Hobert and senior backup Mark Brunell.

“I like the depth we have,” James said. “I’d still love to get 70 snaps for each one of them each game, but that’s impossible.”

Hobert, 15-0 as a starter, has completed 49 of 83 passes for 502 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. He is third in the Pac-10 in passing efficiency.

Brunell, who has played in at least two second-quarter series during each of the Huskies’ first three games, has completed 17 of 27 passes for 169 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions. He is fifth in the Pac-10 in passing efficiency.