Fighting Irish Preserve Title Hopes With Win

No. 6 Notre Dame 41, Army 9

Notre Dame wide receivers David Grimes (11) and Jeff Samardzija celebrate with a leaping high-five after Samardzija scored on a 16-yard touchdown catch during the second quarter of a college football game against Army in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (Darron Cummings - AP)

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Bring on USC. A few minutes after leading Notre Dame to a 41-9 rout of Army on Saturday quarterback Brady Quinn went over to the student section to join in the cheers: "Beat SC! Beat SC!" Quinn shouted, pumping his arm to keep the fans' rhythm.

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis agreed with the message, but added, `They could have been louder."

It was a big day for the sixth-ranked Fighting Irish (10-1), who won their eighth straight to set up next weekend's showdown at No. 4 Southern Cal, where a win would give Notre Dame a chance of playing Ohio State in the BCS national title game on Jan. 8.

The win over Army (3-8) was the last home game for Quinn and the rest of the Notre Dame seniors.

"This was a special moment," Quinn said after throwing for three touchdowns. "We don't have too many opportunities to play your last game in Notre Dame Stadium. I did my best today to just take it all in."

Weis doesn't usually admit looking ahead, but he's already watched every offensive and defensive play USC has run this year. He even said that two-thirds of the plays the Irish practiced the past week were to prepare for the Trojans. He didn't let the players know that.

"You can never look past one opponent and get yourself caught short," he said.

To make sure the Irish weren't focusing on anything else, Weis ordered that the Michigan-Ohio State score not be announced during the game.

Despite being heavy favorites, the Irish came out wearing green uniforms for motivation. The rare appearance of the jerseys didn't do much at first as Notre Dame came out flat.

Quinn threw his first interception in seven games on Notre Dame's first possession, and the Irish trailed 3-0 late in the first quarter. But Notre Dame scored on its next five possessions and cruised to the victory.

Darius Walker ran for 162 yards and two scores for the Irish.

Weis said Notre Dame was ready to throw deep, but Army was ready. So he called the offense together for a chat.