Justice OK; Drake May Play Guard

John Drake, who started two games in place of Winston Justice at right tackle, could start at right guard today when fifth-ranked USC plays Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium.

With Justice recovered from a high ankle sprain, the 6-foot-4, 350-pound Drake alternated with guard Fred Matua through much of the week and again during a light practice without pads Friday at Michigan City High.

“He comes off the ball great and he takes a lot of people with him when he goes,” Coach Pete Carroll said of Drake, a junior transfer from Long Beach City College.

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Junior linebacker Matt Grootegoed participated with the first-string defense Friday and will start today, Carroll said.

“He was fine,” Carroll said. “He’ll play, unless he can’t make it through pregame.”

Grootegoed, who was announced as a Butkus Award semifinalist Thursday, missed the first four days of practice this week because of a high ankle sprain suffered against Stanford.

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After a one-game hiatus because of trouble handling the ball, freshman Reggie Bush will return kicks, Carroll said.

Senior Marcell Allmond was elevated from lead blocker to the top return spot against Stanford. Allmond, however, had the ball stripped from his hands and returned for a touchdown.

Allmond will be the lead blocker against Notre Dame.

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A sellout crowd of 80,795 is expected today. The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low to mid-60s.

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At 5-1, USC is off to its best start since 1995, when the Trojans were 6-0.

Notre Dame ended that winning streak by defeating the Trojans, 38-10, at Notre Dame Stadium.

USC has played Notre Dame 10 times when the Fighting Irish had a losing record. USC is 4-6 in those games.

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Chicago Cub pitcher Mark Prior, who played at USC, is expected to attend today’s game.

No word on whether Notre Dame alum Steve Bartman, who tried to catch the famous foul ball at Wrigley Field, is planning to attend.