Quarterback U

From question mark to quintessential quarterback.

Matt Leinart acknowledges the buzz, which has escalated to Heisman-type heights during a five-game winning streak that has put second-ranked USC on track for a shot at its first national title since 1978.

Leinart, a redshirt sophomore, not only has played better than expected through the Trojans’ first nine games but, statistically, he’s on par with predecessor Carson Palmer, the first USC quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy.

Last week, Heisman Trophy ceremony organizers sent Leinart and receiver Mike Williams letters of notification that they were being regarded as “aspirants” for the award that will be presented next month at the Yale Club in New York.

But as the Trojans prepare for the final three games of their regular-season schedule, Leinart knows that coaches, teammates and fans will ultimately judge him on his performance down the stretch.

USC, 8-1 overall and 4-1 in the Pacific 10 Conference, resumes its schedule Saturday at Arizona and finishes the regular season against UCLA and Oregon State.

“I don’t think there’s any reason why I can’t keep it going,” Leinart said. “But this whole experience, it’s like it’s not really happening. It feels like a dream.”

Before the season, many college football observers wondered whether Leinart could handle the pressure of succeeding Palmer, who endured four up-and-down seasons before leading the Trojans to an 11-2 record and their first appearance in a bowl championship series game.

Coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday that the plan this season was to insulate whoever replaced the NFL’s No. 1 draft pick from too many expectations.

“We hoped that we would be able to play real well around that position so the position wouldn’t be that big of an issue, but [Leinart has] done just beautifully,” Carroll said. “I don’t see any reason why it should stop.”

Leinart has passed for 2,366 yards and 24 touchdowns, and thrown only seven interceptions. He ranks first in the Pac-10 and ninth nationally with an efficiency rating of 160.1.

Leinart readily admits that he benefits from the experience of offensive coordinator Norm Chow and one of the nation’s best supporting casts. Williams and Keary Colbert are perhaps the top receiving combination in college football. Tailbacks Hershel Dennis, LenDale White and Reggie Bush run behind an offensive line that is helping the Trojans average a conference-best 167 yards rushing a game, and has given up a conference-low 11 sacks.

So, is Leinart that good, or simply a product of an ingenious offensive system?

“They used to ask the same question about Joe Montana,” said Pat Haden, a television analyst and former Trojan quarterback who played on the 1972 and 1974 national championship teams. “I can’t imagine anyone playing the position a lot better than [Leinart] has.”

Paul McDonald, who quarterbacked the Trojans to the 1978 national title, said Leinart’s decision-making is what sets him apart.

“The thing about any system is how you tweak it and adapt it, depending on the triggerman,” said McDonald, who provides commentary on USC radio broadcasts. “[Leinart’s] a better fit for this offense than Carson was because this offense is designed for the quarterback to read coverages and get the ball to open receivers and move the sticks.”

Despite the praise, Leinart knows some will maintain that just about any quarterback could flourish in Chow’s system.

“People can say what they want,” said Leinart, who has thrown 135 passes without an interception, 12 shy of Palmer’s school record. “Obviously, the system works, and there could be a lot of people running it. But you’ve got to have leadership. People have to have confidence in you.

“That’s what I’m doing well. I’m trying to be a leader, getting in guys’ faces. I want them to know I want this as much as they do, and I’m going to lead them.”

Leinart made that clear during USC’s third game against Hawaii on Sept. 13. In the second quarter, Leinart threw a short pass to Bush, who caught the ball near the right sideline before cutting back across the field. As Bush sprinted past defenders, Leinart lowered his right shoulder into a Hawaii defensive back. The crunching block helped spring Bush for a 28-yard gain.

“Quarterbacks are almost like kickers -- kind of pretty boys,” center Norm Katnik said. “When Matt did that, it put him more on our level. That elevated him.”

Leinart’s stock continued to climb three weeks later against Arizona State.

He was knocked out of the game in the second quarter because of knee and ankle injuries, but returned in the second half and led the Trojans to a 37-17 victory.

“He really showed his teammates some fortitude and internal desire,” said Tom Ramsey, a former UCLA quarterback who works as a television analyst. “When people saw that, that was a statement to the rest of the team that this guy isn’t just a passer, he’s our leader.”

Now that he has solidified his status as Trojan quarterback for the present, Leinart says he intends to maintain it for the rest of his USC career.

Carroll and Chow promoted heralded freshman John David Booty to No. 2 on the depth chart before the Trojans played Stanford on Oct. 11, but Leinart has given Booty no opportunity to displace him.

Regardless of USC’s finish this season, Leinart knows that Carroll will encourage competition for the position during spring practice, but he does not plan to budge.

“I don’t think it should be an issue -- ever,” Leinart said. “I know there is going to be competition. There’s always competition.

“[Booty] is so young, and he’s shown a lot already. I think he’s going to become a great player, but I feel like I’m only a sophomore.

“I’m not cocky about it. I just feel like I’m confident, and we’re doing really well. I don’t think there’s going to be any controversy.”

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Efficiency Experts

Division I-A national individual passing leaders (through Nov. 8):

*--* Att Comp. Yds. TDs Pts. Jason White, Oklahoma 294 195 2,745 32 176.6 Asad Abdul-Khaliq, Minn. 183 118 1,841 17 175.3 Bill Whittemore, Kansas 194 121 1,921 15 168.0 Philip Rivers, N.C. St. 370 267 3,318 25 166.5 Rod Rutherford, Pittsburgh 288 177 2,661 27 165.8 Bradlee Van Pelt, Colorado St. 237 145 2,392 17 162.9 Bruce Gradkowski, Toledo 306 218 2,500 22 161.0 Ryan Dinwiddie, Boise St. 303 185 2,856 20 160.7 MATT LEINART, USC 268 165 2,366 24 160.1

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