Race Is On for Leinart

The buzz is back.

USC quarterback Matt Leinart thrust himself back to the forefront of national Heisman Trophy discussion by passing for four touchdowns and rushing for another last week against Arizona State.

“It’s cool, but it’s something I can’t focus on right now,” Leinart said Tuesday. “I’m aware of the Heisman and being a top candidate, and now that I had a good game last week people jumped back on the bandwagon.... But I don’t care.”

Leinart, who finished sixth in Heisman balloting last season, dominated national preseason hype. The attention receded after California quarterback Aaron Rodgers overshadowed Leinart in USC’s 23-17 victory on Oct. 9.

Now, Leinart appears primed to stage the same kind of second-half surge that carried Trojan quarterback Carson Palmer to the award in 2002.

Palmer, however, faced teams that were considered formidable opponents in the final six games. Washington was ranked No. 22, Oregon No. 14, UCLA No. 25 and Notre Dame No. 7 when the Trojans rolled to their first appearance in a bowl championship series game.

Leinart will face only one currently ranked team -- No. 24 Notre Dame. The Trojans play 1-5 Washington on Saturday.

Most of Leinart’s statistics through six games are better than they were at the same point last season.

In 2003, Leinart passed for 1,473 yards and 13 touchdowns with seven interceptions in the first six games. He completed 59% of his passes and had a 146.9 efficiency rating.

He has passed for 1,411 yards and 14 touchdowns with three interceptions this season. He is completing 65% of his passes and has a 157.4 efficiency rating.

Leinart said Palmer’s comportment during good and bad times left an indelible impression.

“When he was successful and he won the Heisman, he was the same as when he was down,” Leinart said.

*

Sophomore Reggie Bush also is garnering Heisman attention.

“I don’t see this as a campaign or an election,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “I see it as an observation of somebody’s performance on a team and hopefully, our guys are in consideration at the end.”

*

Redshirt freshman Chris Barrett, who had surgery on both shoulders last year, switched Tuesday from defensive end to tight end.

Barrett, 6 feet 5 and 270 pounds, played both positions at Tustin High and said he met with Carroll in the morning to request the move.

“I think it will be better for my shoulders,” Barrett said. “It’s been a while since I caught the ball, but it’s coming back quick.”

*

UP NEXT

Washington (1-5)

Saturday at the Coliseum

3:30 p.m., FSNW