Reporters' Notebooks

Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times: Not a good start for USC, as players, coaches and supporters aboard the team's charter endure a harrowing arrival in South Bend. Several players were hurled out of their seats and hit their heads on the ceiling when the plane dropped making an approach through a lightning storm.

Jason Kelly, South Bend Tribune: Did Tom Lemming, often referred to as Notre Dame's recruiting coordinator, badly miss the mark on his ranking of quarterback Jimmy Clausen?

Gil LeBreton, Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Thursday night's mistake-filled 27-20 defeat to Utah leaves reeling Texas Christian at the crossroads.

Scott D. Pierce, Deseret Morning News: Last Saturday's Brigham Young-Nevada Las Vegas was the single worst telecast of any college football game he has ever seen.

Seth Emerson, Columbia State: What's it like to play at Vanderbilt? Earl Bennett is a probable future NFL player, but can walk the campus in near-anonymity.

Ron Morris, Columbia State: Where is the Marshall Tucker Band when you need them? The fifth annual sing-along about Atlantic Coast Conference football. A great read.

Jerry Hill, Waco Herald-Tribune: Baylor offensive line coach Eric Schnupp resigned, four days after being cited for public urination at a local bar.

Dan Zeiger, East Valley Tribune: Arizona State has lost leading rusher Ryan Torain — perhaps its best offensive player — for the season because of a Lisfranc sprain of his left foot.

Herón Márquez Estradaand Jeff Shelma, Minneapolis Star Tribune: The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is donating $10 million for Minnesota's new $288 million stadium.

Skip Myslenski, Chicago Tribune: Northwestern, which plays Friday night at Eastern Michigan, has it going on offense, rolling up 79 first downs, 1,617 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns in its past three games.

Brian Bennett, Louisville Courier-Journal: Is Louisville back? The Cardinals, coming off a victory at Cincinnati, play Friday night at Connecticut.

Teddy Feinberg, Las Cruces Sun-News: Chase Holbrook will be back starting at quarterback when New Mexico State plays Idaho.