Seniors looking for one last moment at home

USC seniors hope to go out in style tonight when the third-ranked Trojans play No. 6 Notre Dame in their final home game at the Coliseum.

Linebackers Oscar Lua and Dallas Sartz, offensive linemen Kyle Williams and Ryan Kalil, receivers Chris McFoy and Steve Smith, defensive lineman Travis Tofi and fullback Mike Brittingham are among the fourth- and fifth-year seniors who have never lost a home game or lost to the Fighting Irish.

Coach Pete Carroll said he would talk to the seniors about trying to stay on even emotional keel.

Last year against UCLA, former quarterback Matt Leinart struggled early after he was overcome with emotion playing in his final home game.

Asked whether he might also be reduced to tears as he makes his way down the Coliseum tunnel for the final time, Lua said, “I hope not. Hopefully, we go out with a bang and keep the winning streaks alive.

“I don’t want to give something up that we’ve worked hard for. I don’t want to be the senior who says, ‘Oh, I won all my home games except the last one.’ ”

Sartz tried to put off thinking about his final game at the Coliseum.

“It’s in the back of my mind a little bit,” he said. “I’m sure once I’m out there and running out of the tunnel, it’s definitely going to hit me more.”

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Notre Dame receivers Jeff Samardzija and Rhema McKnight are 6 feet 5 and 6-2, respectively, and have combined for 24 touchdowns.

USC cornerback Cary Harris, who is 6 feet, said Trojans defensive backs had been prepped for the Fighting Irish receivers’ physical style.

“It’s not much of a change because we go against Dwayne Jarrett and Patrick Turner every day in practice,” Harris said. “They like to throw deep. Rhema McKnight is a playmaker and Samardzija is too, but I think we’re ready.”

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USC’s success on the field continues to translate to record attendance.

The Trojans are averaging 91,416 for home games this season. A sellout crowd of 92,000 tonight would push USC beyond last year’s record average of 90,812.

In 2001, Pete Carroll’s first season, the Trojans averaged 57,744. The average rose to 66,853 in 2002, 77,804 in 2003 and 85,229 in 2004.

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Notre Dame leads the series against the Trojans, 42-30-5. USC is 19-17-4 against the Fighting Irish in Los Angeles.... Tonight’s game marks the 14th USC-Notre Dame sellout at the Coliseum.... As part of an annual holiday toy drive, the Champions for Children organization will collect new, unwrapped presents outside various gates of the Coliseum.

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gary.klein@latimes.com

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KEYS TO THE GAME

1 Pressure-packed. Michigan forced Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn into three interceptions, and UCLA also harassed the senior for nearly the entire game, giving USC a template for neutralizing the Fighting Irish’s most important player. The Trojans, however, also must respect Quinn’s running ability, particularly on draws. Notre Dame end Victor Abiamiri (10 sacks) and tackle Derek Landri (seven sacks) are the most effective pass rushers for a Notre Dame defense that must take pressure off the secondary by hounding Trojans quarterback John David Booty.

2 Run for it. With Quinn, Booty and so many talented receivers on the field -- USC’s Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith and Notre Dame’s Jeff Samardzija and Rhema McKnight -- it’s easy to look past the running game. But USC must contain junior Darius Walker, who averages nearly 100 yards a game and has scored seven touchdowns. Notre Dame cannot afford to let USC freshman C.J. Gable find his rhythm.

3 Turnovers. USC ranks 36th and Notre Dame 37th nationally in turnover margin. The Trojans did not lose a fumble or throw an interception in last week’s Rose Bowl-clinching victory over California. If USC is to remain on track for a Bowl Championship Series title shot, it must continue to minimize mistakes. Notre Dame could play the spoiler, but not if the Fighting Irish give the ball away.

-- Gary Klein