Next Order of Business for Trojans: End Streak : College football: Restraining order will allow Ifeanyi to play against Notre Dame today.

Talking the other day about why he believes today’s USC-Notre Dame game is an even game, Trojan Coach John Robinson recalled his 1993 visit here, and why on that day it was an uneven game.

“We came out for the pregame warm-ups and I looked at their guys, then I looked at our guys, and I said to myself, ‘Uh-oh.’ ”

For USC, it has been a dozen years of uh-oh against the Irish.

It was 31-13 that afternoon, Notre Dame’s 11th in a row.

And after last year’s 17-17 Coliseum tie, USC was looking back on 12 years without a victory in this series, which began in 1926. The Trojans haven’t won in South Bend since 1981, when Robinson was in his first term.

Now, Trojan faithful for the first time in years eagerly anticipate a visit to Notre Dame Stadium, where USC is 0 for 6 lately.

All signs indicate this 6-0 Trojan team could be the streak snapper. Irish Coach Lou Holtz has a 5-2 team with some marked deficiencies, not the least of which are cornerbacks who don’t match up physically with Robinson’s 6-foot-4 wide receiver, Keyshawn Johnson.

Holtz’s seemingly overmatched cornerbacks, Ivory Covington and Allen Rossum, can at least try to cover the fast, high-leaping Johnson.

But there wasn’t much Notre Dame could do to prevent the emotional lift Robinson’s team was handed Friday afternoon, while touring the College Football Hall of Fame here.

Senior defensive end Israel Ifeanyi was granted a temporary restraining order, preventing the NCAA from barring him from today’s game while his case continues. He is accused of improper contact with an agent and accepting money from the Nigerian community in Southern California.

Obviously anticipating the restraining order, USC included Ifeanyi on the 60-player travel roster and his gear was properly stowed in a locker in the Notre Dame visitors’ locker room well before the court hearing.

Of course, Notre Dame is not without emotional resources.

There are those green jerseys that show up every few years.

And then there’s the coach, who knows perfectly well whether he will be on the sideline this afternoon. But he has strung reporters along all week with, “I don’t know yet,” and, “It’s up to my doctors.”

Holtz is recovering from spinal surgery on Sept. 12 and has spent most of his game-coaching time since in the press box, where he has proven only that he needs help operating a headset. Because he couldn’t figure out a microphone switch, Notre Dame blew a timeout call in the 28-27 victory over Army last Saturday.

USC may try to run around Notre Dame’s edges today.

The Irish, who have given up 203 yards rushing a game, gave up 365 to Army last week. Holtz’s defense was all but helpless against Army’s perimeter wishbone. Ten Army plays on the flanks netted 200 yards.

As for Notre Dame’s running game, Holtz might have given up on quarterback Ron Powlus as an option quarterback. Not one option play was called against Army.

The Irish need to find someone to run the ball against USC before kickoff today. Starting tailback Randy Kinder has a shoulder injury and will play, but the starter will be Autry Denson.

USC, third in the nation in rushing defense at 81 yards a game, allowed Washington State only 43 yards rushing last week, the Trojans’ lowest yield in six years. While Notre Dame was having a life-and-death struggle against Army, Robinson’s team defeated the Cougars, 26-14.

Notre Dame has lost to Northwestern, 17-15, and to Ohio State, 45-26. The Irish have beaten Purdue, Vanderbilt, Texas, Washington and Army.

Robinson’s team is still looking for a real competitive game.

The Trojans had a 26-0 lead against Washington State last Saturday before the Cougars scored.

They and Washington share the the Pac-10 lead and will settle their differences at Washington next Saturday.

In the meantime, here’s USC’s recent history in this series:

1983: Notre Dame 27, USC 6.

1984: Notre Dame 19, USC 7.

1985: Notre Dame 37, USC 3.

1986: Notre Dame 38, USC 37.

1987: Notre Dame 26, USC 15.

1988: Notre Dame 27, USC 10.

1989: Notre Dame 28, USC 24.

1990: Notre Dame 10, USC 6.

1991: Notre Dame 24, USC 20.

1992: Notre Dame 31, USC 23.

1993: Notre Dame 31, USC 13.

1994: Notre Dame 17, USC 17.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Looking Glass

A look the sports world in 1982, the last time USC defeated Notre Dame:

BASEBALL

* World Series: St. Louis d. Milwaukee

* MVP: Dale Murphy (NL), Robin Yount (AL)

* Rookie: Steve Sax (NL), Cal Ripken Jr. (AL)

NBA

* NBA Finals: Lakers d. Philadelphia

(first title under Pat Riley)

* MVP: Moses Malone

* Scoring Leader: George Gervin

NFL

* Super Bowl: San Francisco d. Cincinnati

(49ers’ first championship)

* MVP: Mark Moseley, Dan Fouts

NCAA

* Football Champion: Penn State

* Heisman Trophy: Herschel Walker

* Basketball Champion: North Carolina

* Final Four MVP: James Worthy

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

(Southland Edition) Looking Glass

A look at what was happening in the sports world in 1982, the last time USC defeated Notre Dame:

BASEBALL

* World Series: St. Louis d. Milwaukee

* MVP: Dale Murphy (NL), Robin Yount (AL)

* Cy Young: Steve Carlton (NL), Pete Vuckovich (AL)

* Rookie: Steve Sax (NL), Cal Ripken Jr. (AL)

NBA

* NBA Finals: Lakers d. Philadelphia

(first title under Pat Riley)

* MVP: Moses Malone

* Scoring Leader: George Gervin

NFL

* Super Bowl: San Francisco d. Cincinnati

(49ers’ first championship)

* MVP: Mark Moseley, Dan Fouts

* Rushing Leader: Freeman McNeil

NCAA FOOTBALL

* Champion: Penn State

* Heisman Trophy: Herschel Walker

NCAA BASKETBALL

* Champion: North Carolina

* Final Four MVP: James Worthy

--Compiled by HOUSTON MITCHELL

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Road to Nowhere

A look at how USC has fared at Notre Dame during its winless streak:

1993--Notre Dame 31, USC 13

1991--Notre Dame 24, USC 20

1989--Notre Dame 28, USC 24

1987--Notre Dame 26, USC 15

1985--Notre Dame 37, USC 3

1983--Notre Dame 27, USC 6

Overall road record vs. Notre Dame: 8-22-1

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

TODAY’S GAME

USC TROJANS vs. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

* Site: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Ind.

* Time: 11:30 a.m.

* Records: USC 6-0; Notre Dame 5-2.

* TV: Channel 4.

* Radio: KMPC (710), KMAX-FM (107.1).

* IZZY IS IN

Defensive end Israel Ifeanyi will play against Notre Dame after getting a court order that blocks his suspension by the NCAA. C6