Southern California dominates N.D., 38-3

November 30, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The outcome of Saturday night’s Notre Dame-Southern California game was decided early. What remains in doubt is Charlie Weis’ job security with the Fighting Irish.

Mark Sanchez passed for 267 yards and two touchdowns, USC’s hard-hitting defense thoroughly dominated Notre Dame, and the fifth-ranked Trojans rolled to a 38-3 victory over the Irish and their beleaguered coach.

Notre Dame didn’t get a first down until the last play of the third quarter on a 15-yard run by James Aldridge. The Irish had run 30 plays for 23 yards before Aldridge broke loose, drawing a derisive cheer from the partisan crowd of 90,689 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

USC finished with 22 first downs and 449 yards of total offense while Notre Dame had four first downs and 91 yards. The Trojans have allowed 10 touchdowns and an NCAA low 7.8 points per game this season.

The only time Notre Dame truly put up a fight was before the game. There was a brief skirmish about 45 minutes before the opening kickoff after the Irish entered the field down the tunnel leading from the locker rooms while USC were warming up.