An impending date with the University of Richmond may have never looked so appealing.

“This was a little bit different than high school,” said Minnifield, after Trojans quarterback Mark Sanchez had torched Virginia’s secondary for 338 yards and three touchdowns. “There were some big guys out there and they could run, too.”

Sanchez threw for a career high 338 yards, completed 74 percent of his passes and tossed three touchdowns in the rout, proving that his left knee isn’t suspect and that his No. 3 Southern Cal squad certainly belongs in the national title discussion. At least until they face fellow powerhouse Ohio State in two weeks at home.