Protection has been a big issue all week, particularly with lightly tested quarterback Mark Sanchez on track to start his first road game. Notre Dame blitzed relentlessly against Boston College last week.

With Butch Lewis likely to fill in for All-American Sam Baker at left tackle, tight end Fred Davis might need to block more on pass plays rather than run routes.

That could deprive USC of its No.1 downfield weapon. Davis leads the Trojans in receptions, receiving yards, average yards-per-catch and touchdowns.

Davis said he doesn't mind, even though his strong numbers this year — among the national leaders for tight ends — have helped him move up in NFL draft projections.

"I'd rather win than have stats," Davis said. "That doesn't really matter. Stats are just extra.

Whatever I can do to help my team win, I'll do that."

Coach Pete Carroll said using Davis as more of a blocker is a possibility. He called Davis a "really good pass blocker."

Carroll said he still hasn't decided who will start at quarterback, though he dropped a hint that Sanchez will go again. John David Booty, who broke his right middle finger in the Stanford game, threw some passes in practice, but Sanchez continued to work with the first team.

"If something happens and we need him (Booty) in an emergency or whatever, he'll certainly be able to get in there," Carroll said. "More than that, we'll figure out in the next couple of days."

Carroll said the team will bring just one game plan to Notre Dame, but that it can adjust based on who starts. Against Arizona, the play calling was highly conservative because of Sanchez's inexperience.

Most of his mistakes came in the second quarter, when he went 3 for 10 with two interceptions. He was 11 for 15 with a touchdown in the second half.