Leinart, Bush Get Heisman Letters

No official notice was really necessary, but USC quarterback Matt Leinart and running back Reggie Bush received letters from the Downtown Athletic Club on Wednesday informing them that they are “Heisman Trophy aspirants.”

The letter, which Leinart and former receiver Mike Williams got last season, informs recipients of the Heisman balloting process and announcement dates. “Heisman contenders” will be announced Dec. 8. Those players will be flown to New York for the Dec. 11 announcement.

Bush was unemotional about the notification.

“The thing I’ll be happy about is if I get chosen to go,” said Bush, a sophomore who plays running back and receiver and returns punts and kickoffs.

Based on his work in practice this week, Bush could be adding backup punter to his duties.

With All-American Tom Malone resting a sore right hamstring, Bush punted again during team drills. Malone said he would kick today and would be fine for Saturday’s game against Oregon State at Corvallis, Ore.

Bush is ready in case of an emergency.

“I know how coaches are,” Bush said. “They take extra precautions with everything. I seriously doubt they’ll put me in there. Maybe worst-case scenario.”

Maybe not.

“I’m going to do it -- I want him to kick, what the heck,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “We had a bunch of guys kick, and they all kicked about the same distance.

“Who’s going to have more impact back there? And if you snap it over his head, he’s the best guy to go get it.”

Bush has experience operating out of punt formation.

In his final game for Helix High, a loss to Oceanside in the 2002 San Diego Section Division II championship game, Bush said he kicked the ball once but rushed for a lot of yards out of punt formation.

“It’s not like it’s unfamiliar to him,” Carroll said. “I love the idea. I think it’s kind of fun.”

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Freshman Jeff Byers is on track to start at left guard against Oregon State because John Drake remains hobbled by a high left ankle sprain.

“It looks like he’s going to have a hard time getting back,” Carroll said. “He’s doubtful probably at best right now.”

Carroll said Byers was ready for the starting assignment.

“He’s come in here to want to play right now and do something about it,” Carroll said. “He’s got an opportunity, so we’ll see how he does.”

Senior Travis Watkins will back up Byers.

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Flanker Chris McFoy said that his sprained left knee was “about 80%” and that he would play Saturday.

McFoy said he suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of last week’s victory at Washington State while blocking for Hershel Dennis on a running play.

“They tackled him, and he fell on top of me,” McFoy said.

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Running back LenDale White, who was nursing a thigh bruise and ankle sprain last week, has been taking part in all drills.... USC is making its first trip to Oregon State under Carroll. It’s only the Trojans’ third trip to Corvallis since 1995.... The last time a defending Associated Press national champion visited Corvallis was in 1973. USC defeated the Beavers, 21-7.