Trojans Hope Familiar Theme Helps

The “Win one for the fat man” theme is the second such for John Robinson, who announced his USC resignation three days before the 1982 Notre Dame game. The result: a 17-13 USC victory, its last in the series.

*

Cornerback/kick returner Chad Morton is out because of a bad back. Quarterback Brad Otton’s availability will be a game-time decision.

Notre Dame guard Mike Rosenthal is listed as probable after sitting out four games because of an ankle injury. Also probable are tailback Randy Kinder and safety Jarvis Edison.

*

Faaesea Mailo, USC’s 340-pound freshman offensive tackle who starts today in place of Rome Douglas, begins his two-year Mormon mission in February. He will leave USC after this semester and won’t return until the 1999 season.

*

How bad has USC’s running game been? In 1981, Marcus Allen ran for 2,427 yards. This year, the entire Trojan team has rushed for 1,283 yards.

*

USC is taking its worst record, 5-6, into the Notre Dame game since 1957, when a 1-8 Trojan team lost, 40-12.

*

Lou Holtz, at Friday’s Notre Dame-USC scholarship luncheon: “I believe God looks out for stupid people, because he’s certainly taken a special interest in me.”

On the Notre Dame-USC rivalry: “I get all kinds of heat from Boston College people when I say this, but nothing compares to the USC-Notre Dame rivalry. I don’t consider Notre Dame-Boston College a rivalry.”

*

Notre Dame-USC ticket holders will be admitted to the Long Beach State-USC basketball game at 1 p.m. at the Sports Arena for $5. . . . The last time USC went 0 for California (Cal, Stanford and UCLA) was 1991.