Michael Ventre

LOS ANGELES - He overthrew receivers. He stumbled and fell twice, once losing the football. He didn’t look like a Heisman Trophy winner, or a finalist, or even an “others receiving votes.”

His final numbers were solid, but hardly breathtaking — 21 of 40 for 233 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions, but thanks to a sharper second half, they look a lot more attractive than they could have.

But with Matt Leinart, the only number you really have to focus on is this one: 37-1.

That’s 37 victories and one loss as a starting quarterback at USC. That stat was polished Saturday when USC pulverized cross-town rival UCLA, 66-19, to earn a Rose Bowl berth and a confrontation with Texas for an unprecedented third straight national title in the modern era.

“Matt had a hard time today,” USC head coach Pete Carroll said after the senior quarterback, who shocked the sports world by passing up the last NFL draft, played his final game at the L.A. Coliseum. “He was so emotional. Teary and crying. He was a mess early in the game.

“He didn’t get a chance to warm up because of the way the introductions went. He came out … tight the first quarter. He was trying to maximize the moment.”

This particular game belonged to Reggie Bush. The human sports car ran in, around and through UCLA’s silky thin defense for 262 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. He had 107 of those yards in the first quarter, 228 at halftime, when the Trojans enjoyed a 31-6 lead and Bruin blue became a mood as well as a color.

If Bush didn’t clinch the Heisman after amassing 513 clutch all-purpose yards in a spine-tingler against Fresno State, he was awarded custody after Saturday’s performance. USC fans certainly say a prayer that they have Bush — even the non-religious ones. After the game, it was Bush, not Leinart, who stood on a platform and conducted the marching band in the fight song.

College football No. 1 USC 66, No. 11 UCLA 19 Bush carries USC into national title game USC-UCLA summary Ventre: Leinart a quarterback to 'die' for Leinart OK, but Trojans roll anyway Texas romps, ready for USC in Rose Bowl Heisman Hopefuls: Hail to the chief! Ventre: Replacing Chow no problem for USC

But there was Leinart in the middle of the torn-up Coliseum turf during the post-game scrum, well-wishers slapping his back, getting a kiss and a hug from his girlfriend, and soaking up the farewell love. Bush is spectacular, and he may be the best ever before he’s through. But in the big picture, it’s foolish to short-change Leinart’s contribution to this mind-blowing run, no matter what the Heisman voters decide this year.

“He may not be the fastest, or throw the farthest ball,” guard Fred Matua explained. “But the guy is a winner. He will do anything it takes to win. I’d rather play for a guy like that, I’d rather block for a quarterback like that, than somebody who throws 80 yards and runs a 4.3 40.

“Mentally it’s a lot better to go into the offensive huddle and know you have a confident player in there.”

Before this season, Leinart’s legacy was secure. Back-to-back titles and a Heisman tend to put a college football player in unassailable territory. But his accomplishments this season, under extreme duress, with every team on the slate taking its best shot, Leinart may have pushed himself among the elite of the elite, despite a relatively pedestrian stat line Saturday.

Afterward, Carroll described him as “a quarterback that everybody would die for.”

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