Guys, Texas didn't shut down Reggie Bush, Pete Carroll did.

[mj.]

How can the Heisman Trophy winner only get his number called 3 TIMES in the fourth quarter of the national championship game!!!!

That's right, Reggie Bush (the HEISMAN-FREAKING-TROPHY WINNER with over 2000 rush/receiving yards in only 12 games coming into tonight) only got his number called 3 times in the fourth quarter.

Those three touches were a 2-yard run, a breathtaking 26-yard touchdown run, and a 26-yard reception. His touchdown, where he blew by probably the fastest defense in the country before diving into the endzone from 4 yards out, put USC up 8 points with 11 minutes to go. He then goes 2 full USC possessions without seeing the ball once. When he does get it again, they are down 3 points with 19 seconds left.

On that final screen pass, he goes 26 yards then wisely scoots out-of-bounds when two Longhorns corralled him near the sideline. He couldn't risk getting tackled inbounds because Carroll stupidly wasted the last USC timeout before the 2-point conversion play. Plus, Reggie went out with 8 seconds left which should have been enough time for USC to get off two plays. However, Leinart didn't throw it away soon enough to take a final shot at the endzone.

By comparison, in the fourth quarter Lendale White got 51 yards on 9 touches, fumbled, and got stuffed on a fourth-and-two for the second time in the game.

Mack Brown let his best player win the game, Pete Carroll left his on the sideline.

It was interesting to see Carroll get out-coached when he finally faced a team with nearly equal talent. Might that be why he washed out in the pros???

Vince was amazing tonight, but the outcome might have been different if the best player in the country was allowed to play in crunch-time.

By the way, if Reggie's game was sooo horrible, 177 rush/receiving yards and 1 TD on 19 touches, then DD must really suck because his BEST game this season was 189 rush/receiving yards and 1 TD on 29 touches.

 

[HomeBred_Texan]

Some blind loyal Texas fans won't see it this way. Vince Young had a good game, now these loyals think he is our saviour. I saw 2 players on USC that were playing NOT to get hurt. Bush had double and triple teaming through out the game.

Will the money blind Vince and make him come out early? I hope not....

 

[tulexan]

I heard Mike Golik on ESPN criticizing Pete Carroll about the 4th and 2 that the Trojans did not convert by leaving Reggie Bush on the sidelines. He said that even if he was used as a decoy, he should have at least been on the field because it makes the Texas defense focus on him rather than just LenDale in the game and everyone knows that it would be a run up the middle. If Reggie is in there, the defense has to wonder if it is going to be a toss to him, a pass to him, or a run fron LenDale.

 

[CaptainPatriot]

Why was bush on the bench in crucial situations? Potential 1st rounders don`t sit on the bench! Shows that bush is a 3rd down and special teams player. White is a true NFL running back than bush.

 

[CenTexNative]

Some blind loyal Texas fans won't see it this way. Vince Young had a good game

200+ yards rushing ..yeah that's only a good game. THat was a great game played by both sides. Vince was awesome and was Thomas with , I believe 10 , receptions. And the Texas defense that dent but never broke had bushes number. Now lindell white on the other hand had me more than a bit worried. But the only thing that matters here is UT=National champions. 41-38 Hook 'em

 

[OzzO]

It was interesting to see Carroll get out-coached when he finally faced a team with nearly equal talent. Might that be why he washed out in the pros???

He was playing it close to win in the 4th... Carroll just didn't execute.

 

[HoustonFrog]

Vince Young was awesome and that was incredible but Bush is the best bet for the Texans. I saw things that impressed me. He ran hard and hit people to finish plays. When he did get in the open field his speed beat anything the Texans have. The bonehead pitch, notwithstanding, he made some awesome moves on that screen pass. They just didn't get him the ball. AND he did get most of the attention and it left Leinart with all kinds of time. LenDale was part of that too.

 

[TexanBacker93]

I heard Mike Golik on ESPN criticizing Pete Carroll about the 4th and 2 that the Trojans did not convert by leaving Reggie Bush on the sidelines. He said that even if he was used as a decoy, he should have at least been on the field because it makes the Texas defense focus on him rather than just LenDale in the game and everyone knows that it would be a run up the middle. If Reggie is in there, the defense has to wonder if it is going to be a toss to him, a pass to him, or a run fron LenDale.

If they do a play fake to White and then a toss to Bush the game is over and the Trojans are the Champs. It made no sense to me why they dove up the gut.

 

[Texas_Thrill]

Ummmm maybe b/c everytime White touched it up the gut they went in for a TOUCHDOWN????

I have to agree that Bush was EXTREMELY underutilized last night. He seemed to be serving as a decoy but not to take credit away from texas. He jjust couldn't get to the corner with the swarming defense.

 

[Hervoyel]

I thought it was pretty clear that Texas made a point of putting a stop to Reggie Bush. They're probably as tired of the hype as anyone in here and all think that Vince Young should have gotten the Heisman (not saying he should or shouldn't have, that's not my point) so they shut down Reggie.

It's not that a great player can't be shut down. That's the best example you can find of why one guy isn't going to win it all by himself. You need to have other guys who can step up when that much attention is focused on one of your players. When Reggie Bush was held in check Leinhart and White both stepped up.

It was a great game but the Trojans scored 38 points. It's not like their offense was held in check, just one aspect of it which they were prepared to deal with when it happened. That game wasn't a reason not to select Reggie Bush. It was a prime example of the need to have multiple options on offense, not just one star player.

 

[LBC_Justin]

200+ yards rushing ..yeah that's only a good game. THat was a great game played by both sides. Vince was awesome and was Thomas with , I believe 10 , receptions. And the Texas defense that dent but never broke had bushes number. Now lindell white on the other hand had me more than a bit worried. But the only thing that matters here is UT=National champions. 41-38 Hook 'em

I am a huge Horns fan but I can at least see thing for what they are.

You are claiming Thomas had a awesome game.
Thomas: 10 receptions, 88 yds, 0 TDs.

While Bush was shut down, in fact he wasn't even held in check!!! Look at the stats!!!
R. Bush: 6 receptions, 97 yds. Plus rushing of 13 carries, 82 yds, 1 TD

Not to mention that Texas has the Better Defense, and they were focusing on Bush every time he was in the game, while the USC defense was worried about VY as they should be.

So let's give Bush his props. He played great, made one big mistake, and his coach underutilize him. Heck everyone claims White had the better game for USC....well he averaged less yards per carries than Bush and had way more attempts.

But your right all that matters here is that UT is the National Champs!!! Hook'em Horns!!!!!

 

[Nawzer]

Reggie Bush had a mediocre game by his standards and he made a boneheaded play on top of that. I'll give credit to the Longhorns for stopping and slowing down Bush. You can't judge a player after seeing him play one game and he hardly played in the second half. The Horns obviously planned on shutting him down and they were successful at that, but even then we saw glimpses of what Bush is capable of. I'd like to see him run between the tackles a little bit more instead of trying to take it outside because in the NFL he's not going to be able to turn the corner a lot because of the speed and talent at the pro game. Anyway, I thought he had a solid game and made one big mistake but he's still the best talent out there in this year's draft if Vince Young doesn't declare for the draft. Congrats to UT on a great great victory. Hook'em Horns!!!!

 

[metalmike]

Longhorns won.
All these Texas haters pissing and moaning this morning is making my day.
Texas contained Bush.
Texas stopped USC when it mattered.
Vince Young stomped the Trojans D
You would think being from Texas, that everyone down here would be happy the championship is back in the best football state in the world.
I'm still laughing, I've been telling everyone for months what Vince was going to do.

Hook Em Horns National Champs baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

 

[LBC_Justin]

Longhorns won.
All these Texas haters pissing and moaning this morning is making my day.
Texas contained Bush.
Texas stopped USC when it mattered.
Vince Young stomped the Trojans D
You would think being from Texas, that everyone down here would be happy the championship is back in the best football state in the world.
I'm still laughing, I've been telling everyone for months what Vince was going to do.

Hook Em Horns National Champs baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

I think the problem is that for the last few weeks all we have been hearing is how Reggie Bush is the second coming of [insert name of greatest player ever].

Now Vince Young has a great game and we are being swarmed by Vince Young Fanatics.

I am a UT fan. I love Vince Young. I think Reggie Bush is a GREAT player too. But I can't stand a million thread about how one or the other one of these guys is the only option. I think they are both going to due just fine in the pros.

But I can't stand people trying to pound it into my head with a hammer. I think most of the regular posters on this forum will agree.

BTW....I think who the Texans choose to be their next Head Coach is going to have a much bigger impact on whether or not we win, than the #1 pick will this year. (Unless Peyton Manning was in this draft.)

 

[royce1054]

All i can say is from what i could see Lendell White will be a better RB in the NFL than Reggie Bush. White has better size and can run inside the tackles. Bush looked like a 3rd back. From what i saw this is the 1st time USC has played a real D. Notre Dame is getting there but is 1 year away. Now hopefully people will see how good Bush really is against a real D. Now when it comes to NFL D's and our O-line man we are screwed.

 

[Tale Gator]

How can the Heisman Trophy winner only get his number called 3 TIMES in the fourth quarter of the national championship game!!!!

Because Texas was shutting him down in the middle and forcing him to the outside every play. Everyone has been on the Bush bandwagon, but he's not even the most effective runner on his own team.

 

[LBC_Justin]

All i can say is from what i could see Lendell White will be a better RB in the NFL than Reggie Bush. White has better size and can run inside the tackles. Bush looked like a 3rd back. From what i saw this is the 1st time USC has played a real D. Notre Dame is getting there but is 1 year away. Now hopefully people will see how good Bush really is against a real D. Now when it comes to NFL D's and our O-line man we are screwed.

Because Texas was shutting him down in the middle and forcing him to the outside every play. Everyone has been on the Bush bandwagon, but he's not even the most effective runner on his own team.

Look up the stats on the game.

Reggie Bush had a better game rushing than White did. Bush averaged more yards per carry but was not given the ball as often. White also cost USC the game by his poor run on 4th and 2. But White will be a first rounder in the 2006 draft. No doubt.

Not to mention Bush almost had a 100 yds receiving. (He had a better game than any Texas receiver or tight end) BTW Thomas did play great for Texas.

The problem was that Bush did not get the ball enough. I live in the LA area and Coach Pete is getting crusified for nearly forgetting about Bush in the last Quarter of the game.

Hook'em Horns