NOTEBOOK: SUGAR BOWL STILL FINDING ITSELF SWEET ON TROJANS.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

With USC ranked ninth in the nation, it might make sense for Sugar Bowl representatives to attend Saturday night's game with Stanford.

But the trip wasn't entirely business for bowl representative Richard Roussel, whose son Peter, is a graduate assistant with Stanford.

``The Sugar Bowl was nice enough to let me come out,'' Roussel said. ``Obviously, Southern Cal is someone we want to follow closely.''

Roussel said the Sugar Bowl attends four or five games each weekend to build relationships with potential bowl candidates.

With several top-10 teams losing, Roussel said he was fortunate to attend the USC game.

``I think the way things fell today are very exciting for Southern Cal,'' Roussel said. ``And for Georgia.''

The Sugar Bowl hosts the national title game this season.

--Injury report: USC linebacker Daniel Urquhart was taken to the locker room in the first quarter with a pinched nerve in his neck and did not return. Without Urquhart, walk-on Collin Ashton played in the second half.

Tight end Dominique Byrd also left the game with a sprained knee and did not return. That left Gregg Guenther and Kurt Katnik as the Trojans' top two tight ends.

--Tatupu starts: Although USC coach Pete Carroll said Lofa Tatupu (sprained ankle) would not start, the sophomore did start and became especially valuable when Urquhart got hurt.

--Allen honored: Former USC tailback and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Allen received a Heisman letterman's jacket at halftime.

--The 700 club: With the victory, USC became the 10th school in college football history to win 700 games. USC's overall record is 700-297-54. Michigan leads all schools with 828 victories.

--Local flavor: Defensive end Will Svitek of Newbury Park High started at defensive end for the Cardinal. Other area players for the Cardinal included long-snapper Brent Newhouse (Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood) and quarterback Kyle Matter (Hart of Newhall).

--Stat time: USC has scored 20 or more points in 19 consecutive games. The Trojans scored 30 or more points in 13 of the past 14 games.

Receiver Mike Williams has caught more than one touchdown in six games. He also has nine games with at least 100 yards receiving. Overall, Williams has 21 touchdown receptions in 19 games.

Receiver Keary Colbert has caught a pass in 29 consecutive games

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

USC's Will Poole goes high for an interception in the first half of Saturday night's game against Stanford at the Coliseum.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

Box:

USC 44, STANFORD 21