USC's
record contenders, Leinart, Bush speak
about Heisman
Patrick
Hodgson
As the great Yogi Berra would say, its deja vu all over again, in the sense
that USC is dominating the college football landscape as it did more than 30
years ago, thanks in part to the phenomenal play of Heisman Trophy winner Matt
Leinart and speedster Reggie Bush.
The duo’s performance is sparking up comparisons to former Trojan greats
Pat Haden and the late Ricky Bell. Before Leinart and Bush launched onto the
scene experts felt Haden and Bell were the best quarterback and running back
combo of all-time and would have wagered on Duke having better odds of winning
a national championship than any players ever transcending them.
Haden had been an All American selection, 1975 Rose Bowl MVP and the signal
caller for two Trojan national championship teams. Bell, known for his bull-like
rushing style was a two-time Heisman finalist, a two-time All-American selection
and led the nation in rushing in his junior year with 957 yards during 1975
season.
Haden and Bell had preponderant careers, but neither won a Heisman Trophy or
participated in a 30 game and counting winning streak.
Leinart has 2,512 yards and 18 touchdowns tosses and will probably throw for
30 touchdowns this season.
The lefty has an opportunity to become only the second man to collect the Heisman
Trophy twice, a reality Leinart isn’t giving much thought to.
“
I’ve kind of been there and done that with the Heisman, Leinart said. “I’m
just focusing on winning and being a leader on my team.
The elusive Bush, who many analysts across the Western Hemisphere are tagging
the front runner for the prestigious award, has done it all. He rushed for
908 yards with 10 touchdowns on only a mere 108 carries. Moreover, the man
who dawns No. 5 on his cardinal and gold jersey has almost 400 yards receiving
to go along with 2 receiving touchdowns and an 84-yard punt return two weeks
ago that left mud on the faces of the Washington Huskies’ special teams.
“
It would be an honor to go to New York and win the Heisman, but just as the
BCS, I can’t control that,” Bush said.
While the tandem I like to call Fire and Ice take their act to the Coliseum
Saturday against the Stanford Cardinal many are still inquisitive to see if
the defending back to back champions will go into the game with the same 55-13
annihilating demeanor they had against Washington State last weekend.
“
It was a shock and it will motivate us because it kind of makes us the underdog
again,” Bush said of the BCS rankings that propelled Texas over USC.
Until the Red and White of the Cardinal fly into the city of Angels, Leinart
will find some relaxation through playstation and Bush will continue to get
treatment and study for his midterm exams.
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