Reggie Bush showed the record crowd at Autzen Stadium why he was a Heisman candidate last season and why he will be again this season.
The Spring Valley, Calif., native was the difference-maker in the Trojans’ victory, breaking tackle after tackle and eventually the Oregon defense.
Bush scored two touchdowns, including the Trojans’ first points on a 19-yard touchdown reception with 5 minutes 8 seconds remaining in the first half, and ran away with the Ducks’ hopes for an upset in the second half.
He rushed for 72 yards on eight carries in the final two quarters, which included a 38-yard gain on the second play of the second half.
“We showed why we are the number one running team in the nation,” Bush said.
The Trojans scored the game-winning touchdown three plays later on an 11-yard touchdown reception by Dwayne Jarrett.
“Reggie Bush is a tremendous athlete, but we knew that,” Bellotti said. “We probably gave him too many opportunities.”
Not only is Bush the starting running back, but he also returns punts and kickoffs, and USC likes to split him out as a receiver.
Bush touched the ball 30 times and gained 267 total yards.
Capitalizing on opportunities
Oregon reserve quarterback Dennis Dixon made the most of the opportunity to play against the top-ranked team in the nation.
“I’d have to say I did well,” Dixon said. “It reminded me of back in my high school days when I played De La Salle, the number one team in the nation. That was going back to my roots.”
Dixon replaced starter Kellen Clemens on the first play of the fourth quarter and didn’t disappoint. Dixon guided the Ducks from their own 20-yard line to the Trojans’ 18 in nine plays before Clemens returned to the field.
Dixon completed each of his three passes for 24 yards and rushed for another 20 before exiting the game after a sack injured his ankle.
“It was a little dinged up, but that’s all,” Dixon said. “I was ready to go after that.”
He returned for Oregon’s final two series; however, his four passes netted only five yards and an interception. Despite the up and down outing, Dixon is excited about the opportunity and the experience.
“It gave me a lot of confidence,” Dixon said. “That shows that coach has a lot of respect and a lot of (belief) in me.”
The sophomore from San Leandro, Calif., is expected to be a front-runner for the starting position next season after Clemens completes his eligibility.
Lining up the best
Heading into the game, Oregon was well aware that the Trojan offensive line is one of the best in the nation. After the game, the Ducks knew first-hand just how good USC’s front five were.
USC quarterback Matt Leinart routinely had several seconds to pass without pressure, as he picked apart the Oregon defense.
“It’s really frustrating,” Oregon defensive lineman Haloti Ngata said. “If they get more than three seconds, it’s on us. We need to get to the quarterback in three seconds or less.”
Leinart completed 23 of 39 attempts for 315 yards and three touchdowns. He was perfect on each of his four fourth-quarter passes, netting 89 yards.
“Matt Leinart is an excellent, very efficient passer who sees the field very well,” Bellotti said. “It seems like he had years back there to pass sometimes.”
Punting away from Bush
The Ducks made a switch at a key position and it paid off. Aaron Knowles, a graduate from Springfield High School, averaged 40.5 yards per kick as Oregon’s starting punter.
Knowles, a walk-on from the College of the Siskiyous in Weed, Calif., kicked 50 yards and a career-long 52 yards in the third quarter.
“I think Aaron Knowles punted the ball well. I was pleased overall,” Bellotti said.
One of the major focuses during the week was not allowing Bush to create a big play on special teams. Knowles and the Ducks seemed to keep Bush in check in the punting game.
Bush, who hadn’t been punted to this season, returned four punts for 27 yards, including a 24-yard scamper. His first two punt returns were for -10 yards.
Knowles replaced Matt Dragich, who started in Oregon’s previous three games of the season. Dragich had a 33.4-yards-per-kick average on 10 punts with a long of 45 yards.

[email protected]