Bush Admits to Thoughts of Heisman

USC’s Reggie Bush moved to the forefront of national Heisman Trophy discussion with his highlight-reel, three-touchdown performance against Notre Dame.

Bush’s spectacular 84-yard punt return for a touchdown last week against Washington added to the momentum.

On Tuesday, before the top-ranked Trojans began preparations for Saturday’s game against Washington State, Bush acknowledged that the Heisman was on his mind.

“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it; I’ve thought about it,” said Bush, who finished fifth in Heisman balloting last season. “That’s as far as it goes.

“I don’t let that deter my focus or become my main focus. The Heisman is just like the BCS poll; you can’t control it. All you can do is win and compete and hope for the best after that.”

Bush leads the nation in all-purpose yardage with an average of 203.1 yards a game. He has rushed for 10 touchdowns, caught two touchdown passes and returned one punt for a touchdown.

Heisman winners take part in the balloting process, so Bush said he told quarterback Matt Leinart, the 2004 winner, to cast his vote for Bush.

“I told him he had to,” Bush said, laughing.

Leinart boosted his own campaign with his clutch performance in the fourth quarter against Notre Dame and by throwing four touchdown passes against Washington on Saturday.

But he said that Bush deserves the attention and should be considered the front-runner in what most consider a contest between Bush, Leinart and Texas quarterback Vince Young.

“I’ve kind of been there, done that,” Leinart said. “That’s not my mentality, but that’s really how it is.

“I’m not really focused on winning another one. It would be a great honor, cool to go back to New York, but I’m more focused on winning, more focused on leading this team, and I think that’s what I’ve done.”

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Just as he did after the Washington victory, Leinart reiterated that he was “back on track,” after struggling with the pressure that had been building since he announced he was returning for a final season of eligibility.

Coach Pete Carroll said Leinart, “wouldn’t have come out feeling great if he didn’t perform well. I think he needed to hit a couple home runs and get going again and he did.”

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Washington State Coach Bill Doba, on the prospect of playing the Trojans, who were knocked down to No. 2 in the bowl championship series standings: “When we met as a staff and somebody asked how we were going to attack USC, I said the best place to attack them would be in the tunnel, before we get out on the field, where we could get them confined. I know that computer picked them No. 2. I am sure that didn’t help us any.”

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Saturday’s homecoming game is a sellout, as are the games Nov. 19 against Fresno State and Dec. 3 against UCLA. A USC official said about 1,000 tickets are available for USC’s game against Stanford on Nov. 5.... Running back LenDale White took part in some drills but remained slowed by a right thigh bruise.... Linebacker Keith Rivers, limited against Washington because of hamstring soreness, participated in all drills. Linebacker Rey Maualuga returned after missing a day to visit his ill father, Carroll said.... Cornerback William Buchanon returned to practice after missing the Washington game because of a hip injury.... Carroll said cornerback Mozique McCurtis, a junior college transfer, would take a redshirt and have three years of eligibility left.... Linebacker Dallas Sartz was scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery Tuesday.