SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Quarterback DeShone Kizer says Notre Dame players are remembering the pain they felt two years when they were embarrassed in a 49-14 loss to rival Southern California as the Fighting Irish prepare to finish a scuffling season on the road against the 12th-ranked Trojans.Coach, I remember, challenged us after that game to remember that feeling and every time we play against USC to try to bring that and allow that to fuel us, Kizer said. That feeling is still there. It fueled me last year and it will fuel me this year.The game against the Trojans (8-3), who have won seven straight after a 1/3 start, could be Kizers last with Notre Dame (4-7). He is being projected by many to be a first-round draft pick in the NFL, with some saying he could be a top-five pick.The 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior, who has two years of eligibility left, wasnt in reflective mood Tuesday when talking to reporters, declining to speculate about his future. But after a 34-31 loss to Virginia Tech on Saturday that ensured Notre Dames first losing season since Brian Kelly became coach in 2010, Kizer spent time on the field after the game with his parents and outgoing seniors taking in the scene with their families. Kizer, who completed just 3 of 15 passes for 36 yards in the second half against the Hokies, said he had done the same thing last year as well.I think its awesome to soak in the moment, Kizer said. That was our last game (at home) for the 2016 team and I think that it was an awesome opportunity to take it all in with my family. The ups and downs.Kizer has said he will make his decision after talking with his family when the season ends on Saturday. He talked two weeks ago about competing with Malik Zaire, whom he beat out this year for the starters job, and sophomore Brandon Wimbush, who redshirted this season, to be the starter next season, although many expect Zaire to switch to another school for his final year of eligibility after graduating from Notre Dame.Kizer was frank when talking to reporters after the loss to Virginia Tech about this seasons disappointments, with all seven losses being by eight points or less, three of those after leading by 10 points or more.I think that I did a good job of avoiding all your guys questions through all the other losses and at this point, what else am I supposed to say? he said. Its just unfortunate this is how the season has gone. I do believe that in every game we played, we had an opportunity to win. We beat ourselves, in a sense, from stupid penalties, stupid decisions on reads. I think that, once again, every opportunity that we have been out there, we have had a chance to win the game and for us to come up short by an average of something around five points on all those games, is very frustrating.Kizer said the announcement Tuesday by the NCAA that it was ordering Notre Dame to vacate 21 wins from the 2012 and 2013 seasons, which the school said it will appeal, will have no effect on the team as they prepare to play the Trojans.All we have in front of us is USC. Whatever comes from the past is not going to affect how we go about beating USC, he said.Kizer heads into the game against the Trojans with a 12-10 record as a starter after winning eight of his first nine starts. He burst on the scene when he rallied the Irish to a come-from-behind win over Virginia when he threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Will Fuller with 12 seconds left after Zaire sustained a broken ankle.He describes this year as a learning season.Its easy to lead on top. Its difficult to lead when youre not on top, Kizer said. I think that as a quarterback who has seen both sides of this in two seasons here that personally I have tried my hardest to maintain who I am and the identity that I have as a leader, and its been tested on both sides.I think that moving forward I have to focus on maintaining that same style of leadership, being the same guy every day, and doing whatever it takes to lead an offense to a successful game and get as many wins as we can, he said.Whether that will be with the Irish or an NFL team remains to be seen.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. Chris Whitney Jersey . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Tim Legler Jersey https://www.cheapwizardsonline.com/ . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Tracy Murray Jersey . Parker had 26 points and eight assists and San Antonio beat Toronto 112-99 Monday night. "We won that game because of Tony Parkers aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long. Pervis Ellison Jersey . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska coach Mike Riley is impressed with the resiliency his team has shown under difficult circumstances the past month.The Cornhuskers have had to adjust to the absence of popular assistant coach Keith Williams, who was arrested on suspicion of third-offense drunken driving last weekend. His arrest came two weeks after the funeral of punter Sam Foltz, who died in a car crash in Wisconsin along with former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler.Riley said after practice Wednesday that he has been worried about his players ability to maintain a focus on football after all thats happened.There have to be things on their mind almost continually, he said. The thing Im impressed with is how they perform. They put a smile on their face. For anyone going to work, the attitude you bring and how you present yourself and how you like doing what youre doing means a lot to me about how its going to go. So for whatever reason, however theyve done it with all the stuff thats gone on with these young men, I think theyve done really well that way.Williams has not been at practice since he was arrested early Sunday after he rear-ended a Uber drivers vehicle in downtown Lincoln. His blood-alcohol level was reported at 0.15, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08. That high a reading could have led to a felony charge for aggravated DUI. He instead was charged with misdemeanor DUI and cited for careless driving after the non-injury crash. He pleaded not guilty.Riley had no update on Williams status with the program.This is a most, most, most serious situation, he told reporters. We are still exploring and talking and finding out as much as we can. This is ongoing right now in-house and because of the seriousness of it, I just dont have anything else to really givee you, OK? When I do, it will be definitive and that will be it.ddddddddddddGraduate assistant Hardie Buck, a receiver and special teams player on Alabamas 2009 and 2011 national championship teams, is coaching the receivers in Williams place.Weve been OK. Its business as usual, receiver Jordan Westerkamp said. Hardie Buck has taken over and is doing a great job. Weve come out with a great attitude and have had a positive attitude through the whole thing.Receiver is among the Huskers deepest positions, with Westerkamp and fellow seniors Brandon Reilly and Alonzo Moore taking on additional leadership and helping young players get lined up and understand the offense.Its tough, Westerkamp said, because its your position coach, specifically for the wideouts. Hes a guy out there every single day with you. Were all praying for coach Williams and waiting for him to come back.Game notes QB Ryker Fyfe is set to be fourth-year starter Tommy Armstrongs top backup. Riley said freshman Patrick OBrien is competing with A.J. Bush for No. 3, though OBrien could redshirt. ... Freshman Tre Bryant is getting a look as a kick returner. Riley said Bryant is in the conversation for work at the deep running back position. ... Redshirt freshman Isaac Armstrong, who was invited to join the team after a walk-on tryout last fall, and scholarship freshman Caleb Lightbourn are competing for the punters job. I think its going to be a pretty good situation, Riley said. ... LB Greg Simmons has a sore neck but otherwise is OK after a collision Saturday that required him to be carted off the field.---Online: AP college football site: http://collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '