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Feeling Green. Not even Notre Dame’s green throw-back jerseys would give them the luck they needed to keep their quarterback out of the jaws of Sedrick Ellis.

It was a historic day for the Irish and one they would likely wish to forget. The USC Trojans beat Notre Dame 38-0 Saturday, in what has become the worse loss suffered by the Fighting Irish against the Trojans in their 79-year rivalry. And to pile it on it was the Trojans’ sixth-straight win over the Irish, setting a new school record.

Backup quarterback Mark Sanchez could add another notch to his belt, after leading to the Trojans to a successful second-straight win as a starter. Sanchez replaced once Heisman-hopeful John David Booty, who has been resting his broken finger since USC’s upset loss to Stanford weeks earlier.

Sanchez held up Trojan fans’ high expectations, throwing the second touchdown pass of his career, a ten-yarder to Fred Davis late in the first quarter. Then Sanchez proceeded to throw his third, fourth and fifth TD career passes to Allen Bradford, Stanley Havili, and capped off by a 48-yard electric TD pass to a quick-footed Vidal Hazelton. Receptions were spread across the corps with Vidal Hazelton – 3 for 80 yards, Patrick Turner – 4 for 42 yards and Fred Davis – 4 for 40 yards, leading the team. Mark Sanchez played a terrific game, completing 21 of 38 attempts for 235 yards, 4 TDs and 0 interceptions.

For Irish backup quarterback Evan Sharpley, his first start would be memorable for all the wrong reasons. Sharpley completed 17 of 33 for 117 yards and 1 interception. Notre Dame only managed half the receiving yards that USC gained, with Duval Kumara leading the team with 33 of the 117 receiving yards amassed by the Irish. Rushing was worse as the Irish only netted 48 yards on the ground, a statistic made even lower by quarterback Sharpley’s -31 yards on the ground, a side-effective of the Trojans’ ever present defense.

The Trojans ground game was another force all together. Joe McKnight again proved his reputation for explosive speed, maneuverability and misdirection, culminating in a 51-yard touchdown run in the fourth, McKnight’s career first. Chauncey Washington pounded out his usual game with 64 yards against the Irish. The recently de-booted Stafon Johnson was a sight for sore eyes, carrying 8 times for 47 yards.

The Trojan defense worked like a well-oiled machine, busting through Notre Dame’s offensive line and accumulating five sacks. Rey Maulaluga was a notable presence, coming back from a hip injury and accounting for two sacks. Nose tackle Sedrick Ellis had another strong performance with one solo sack, and a second with help from Kyle Moore. Kevin Ellison landed the game’s only interception. Corner Cary Harris had a strip and linebacker Keith Rivers had the ensuing recovery. Brian Cushing was back after missing most of the season to a sprained ankle. He had two tackles.

But in the end it was Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis that best summed up the game with these words of wisdom:

“It’s a butt kicking today.”

Well put Charlie…well put.

*Stats from ESPN U