Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 24, 1994

John McKay once said, “I tell our kids that if you don’t get up for Notre Dame, you must be dead.” . . .

John Robinson must be telling his kids the same thing this week. . . .

On Saturday at the Coliseum, USC will have an opportunity to break an 11-game losing streak against the Fighting Irish, upgrade its bowl possibilities and make it clear that the program is making Traveler-like strides. . . .

Robinson acknowledges that victories over Notre Dame and UCLA are needed to restore the Trojans’ prestige, no matter how they perform during the rest of the season. . . .

“We didn’t play well against UCLA, and that’s what bothers me the most,” he said. “I can’t remember many losses that I’ve taken harder.” . . .

Robinson says the game that left him most devastated was a tie--the 15-15 draw with California during the Trojans’ national championship season of 1974 when Robinson was an assistant to McKay. . . .

Saturday’s game, beginning at 5 p.m. to accommodate ABC, has been a sellout since Oct. 11. The listed capacity of this Coliseum setup is 94,159. . . .

Notre Dame gets 15,000 tickets for games in L.A. and USC 5,000 for games at 59,075-seat Notre Dame Stadium. . . .

However, the USC allotment is expected to be increased when 20,000 seats are added in South Bend, Ind., for the 1997 season. . . .

Adrian Young, a linebacker born in Dublin, Ireland, played on USC teams that were 1-2 against the Irish from 1965-67. . . .

Robinson still scoffs at the significance of the green jerseys the Joe Montana-led, national champion Irish wore during their 49-19 victory over the Trojans in 1977. “With the talent they had, they could have worn brown jerseys and won,” Robinson said. . . .

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The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) will test the Raiders for class Sunday at the Coliseum. . . .

The Raiders have won four of their last five, but don’t forget that the victories have been over New Orleans, the Rams, Houston and Atlanta. . . .

This week’s quarterback controversy belongs to the Steelers. Neil O’Donnell, who has been plagued by hip and ankle injuries, and Mike Tomczak, who passed for 343 yards in the win over Miami, are the participants. . . .

Coach Bill Cowher says O’Donnell is the starter when he is “100% healthy,” but Cowher may not decide who will start until just before kickoff. . . .

The Rams will be playing a regular-season game at San Diego for only the second time Sunday. In 1975, they beat the Chargers, 13-10, in overtime. . . .

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The Honest Abe award for the month goes to Denver running back Reggie Rivers, who admitted fumbling after catching a pass from John Elway during a decisive drive against Atlanta. The officials ruled that he had hit the ground before losing the ball. . . .

The Football News has named USC tackle Tony Boselli and UCLA wide receiver Kevin Jordan to its All-American team. . . .

UCLA Coach Terry Donahue and Craig Fertig, the former USC quarterback and assistant coach, were shown on TV shaking hands at midfield after the game Saturday. . . .

“I won’t have to buy you lunch again,” a smiling Donahue told Fertig. . . .

They have an annual wager, the winner picking the restaurant and the loser picking up the tab. . . .

Penn State can become the seventh Joe Paterno-coached team to finish a regular season unbeaten. That tells you a lot about Paterno’s ability, his players’ talent, and the Nittany Lions’ schedules over the years. . . .

Bertrando, with Gary Stevens aboard, is expected to make his final start in the NYRA Mile at Aqueduct on Saturday before retiring to stud. . . .

Four horses based in Southern California--Sandpit, Raintrap, Grand Flotilla and Johann Quatz--will compete in the world’s richest race, the $3.6-million Japan Cup, in Tokyo on Saturday. . . .

Oscar De La Hoya has taken up near full-time residence in Big Bear, where he will train for fights Dec. 10 against John Avila at the Grand Olympic, in early February, probably against Azumah Nelson, and May 6 against Rafael Ruelas. . . .

Jeff Bagwell is well worth his $27.5-million, four-year contract with the Houston Astros. . . .

Which Exposition Park tenant do you think will win more games this season, the Raiders or the Clippers?