For Reggie Bush, Not The Best of Times

Heisman Trophy winner commits big gaffe, gets outshined by teammate

By Beth Harris ASSOCIATED PRESS

PASADENA - Reggie Bush somersaulted into the end zone, his future as the likely No. 1 NFL Draft pick ahead of him and his bid for a record third consecutive national championship yet to be dashed.

Then, there was his running mate, LenDale White.

Overshadowed by Reggie Bush for much of the season, White had a breakout game in the Rose Bowl, scoring three touchdowns in the duo's run to history. The two combined for 99 career touchdowns in three years, breaking the record of 97 set by Army's Glenn Davis and Felix "Doc" Blanchard from 1943-46.

"Everybody can't win all the time," White said after the loss. "They came out and played a great game. We can't take that away."

As always, Reggie Bush made amazing moves. This time, though, White topped him statistically.

White, billed as "Thunder" to Bush's "Lightning," had 124 yards on 20 carries. Reggie Bush totaled 84 yards on 13 rushes, and had six catches for 95 yards.

Longhorns coach Mack Brown got Reggie Bush aside near the Texas locker room and told him, "I thought it was a classy game. Nobody could stop anybody."

Reggie Bush embellished his reputation as college football's most explosive player in the fourth quarter with his sideline-hugging sprint and ensuing somersault into the end zone.

Earlier, however, with USC ahead 7-0, Reggie Bush had the ball and another score appeared imminent. But suddenly, inexplicably, he tried to lateral to a teammate who hadn't touched the ball all season.

Bad move.

Reggie Bush 's flashy 37-yard run on a screen pass from Matt Leinart carried him inside the 20-yard line, where his lateral intended for Brad Walker went haywire. Safety Michael Huff recovered at the 19-yard line for Texas early in the second quarter."Reggie just tried too hard on that play and he'll regret it forever," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "Reggie was just trying to get a TD."

Reggie Bush clapped his gloved hands to his helmet in dismay and ran off the field. He was crouched alone on the sideline when Leinart came over and gave a consoling tap on Bush's helmet.

The Longhorns capitalized on Bush's mistake with a 46-yard field goal by David Pino to trail 7-3.

White eased the sting with two straight touchdowns in the third quarter, setting up his potential bid to win the Heisman next season.

Then, Reggie Bush scored his first TD of the game and extended USC's lead to 30-23. Back on the sideline, he kissed his right glove and pointed toward the night sky.

Things took a turn for the worse with 2:09 remaining and USC ahead 38-33, when White fell inches short of a first down on fourth-and-1 - a play that would ultimately allow Texas to take the title.

"It's been a great run," Bush said. "We've done some special things. I don't think we should be ashamed about anything."

March
•Reggie Bush Vows to Focus on Football

February
•Bush teams with Shaq to host All-Star charity event
•Dog thinks 2 $900 Super Bowl tickets tasty treat
•Boonton man scores big with Super Bowl tickets
•Dog thinks 2 $900 Super Bowl tickets tasty treat

Super Bowl Weekend
•OK!'s Guide to the Super Bowl Parties
•"Hannah" primed to claim Super Bowl weekend
•Paris Hilton, Ludacris party alongside 50 Cent at pre-game Super Bowl concert

January
•Reggie Bush Engaged to Kim Kardashian?

December
•Eagles vs. Saints Preview 12/23/07
•Bush Hoping to Play Against Eagles 12/18/07
•Cardinals 24, Saints 31
•Bush Out For the Year 12/12/07
•Falcons 14, Saints 34 12/10/07
•Falcons vs. Saints Preview 12/10/07
•Buccaneers 27, Saints 23 12/02/07
•Buccaneers vs. Saints Preview 12/02/07


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