FIGHT ON!
Leinart's performance keeps Heisman buzz going
By Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY
BERKELEY, Calif. — As the Heisman Trophy buzz for Texas quarterback Vince Young and Southern California tailback Reggie Bush has grown in recent weeks, all last year's winner has done is outdone himself.
USC quarterback Matt Leinart is having a better year than he did last season when he took home the stiff-armed trophy. In No. 1 USC's 35-10 win against California Saturday at Memorial Stadium, Leinart completed 20 of his 32 passes for 246 yards with one interception and perhaps increased his chances of becoming just the second player ever to win a pair of Heismans along with Ohio State's Archie Griffin.
Leinart's completions, passing yardage, completion percentage and passing efficiency rating are better than his numbers through 10 games last season. He has thrown 23 touchdown passes (the same number he did through 10 games in 2004) and against Cal he ran for two scores giving him five rushing TDs this year (he had three in 2004 in 10 games).
With a 35-1 record as a USC starter, Leinart has the second-best winning percentage in NCAA history behind the 35-0 mark of Toledo's Chuck Ealy in 1969-71. On Saturday Leinart returned to the scene of that one blemish.
In 2003, Leinart, a sophomore starting for the fourth time, threw three interceptions as the Trojans lost to Cal in triple overtime, 34-31. "I don't think we really thought about that game," Leinart said. "They're a good football team. They deserve respect and have had a lot of chances (to beat USC) the last two years."
Since the 2003 game, USC has won 32 consecutive games and two national titles with a shot at an unprecedented third straight championship. All that stands in the way of the Trojans' trip to the Rose Bowl are two remaining home games against No. 20 Fresno State next weekend and No. 14 UCLA on Dec. 3.
By Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY
BERKELEY, Calif. — As the Heisman Trophy buzz for Texas quarterback Vince Young and Southern California tailback Reggie Bush has grown in recent weeks, all last year's winner has done is outdone himself.
USC quarterback Matt Leinart is having a better year than he did last season when he took home the stiff-armed trophy. In No. 1 USC's 35-10 win against California Saturday at Memorial Stadium, Leinart completed 20 of his 32 passes for 246 yards with one interception and perhaps increased his chances of becoming just the second player ever to win a pair of Heismans along with Ohio State's Archie Griffin.
Leinart's completions, passing yardage, completion percentage and passing efficiency rating are better than his numbers through 10 games last season. He has thrown 23 touchdown passes (the same number he did through 10 games in 2004) and against Cal he ran for two scores giving him five rushing TDs this year (he had three in 2004 in 10 games).
With a 35-1 record as a USC starter, Leinart has the second-best winning percentage in NCAA history behind the 35-0 mark of Toledo's Chuck Ealy in 1969-71. On Saturday Leinart returned to the scene of that one blemish.
In 2003, Leinart, a sophomore starting for the fourth time, threw three interceptions as the Trojans lost to Cal in triple overtime, 34-31. "I don't think we really thought about that game," Leinart said. "They're a good football team. They deserve respect and have had a lot of chances (to beat USC) the last two years."
Since the 2003 game, USC has won 32 consecutive games and two national titles with a shot at an unprecedented third straight championship. All that stands in the way of the Trojans' trip to the Rose Bowl are two remaining home games against No. 20 Fresno State next weekend and No. 14 UCLA on Dec. 3.
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