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Reggie Bush a one man highlight reel

Reggie Bush, right, of the University of Southern California, carries the ball under pressure from Marcus McCauley of Fresno State during their NCAA Division I-A game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday. The Trojans, the US' top-ranked college football team all season long, defeated the Bulldogs 50-42. PHOTO: AFP

When the college football world finally woke up on Sunday, presumably bleary-eyed and dizzy, it might have needed a few moments to reconstruct what occurred late Saturday night: an unforgettable performance by Reggie Bush; another inspired showing by that team from California's Central Valley, Fresno State; and points -- lots of points -- with many surrendered by the Southern California defense, which still considers itself of national-championship caliber.

Even those on the East Coast who did not stay up to watch USC's 50-42 victory over Fresno State, which ended about 2:20am Eastern could have reached three conclusions, just from checking out the highlights.

First off, if Bush is not the best player in the country, he is at least the most exciting.

On Saturday, Bush provided the ultimate highlight-reel keeper, a 50-yard carry in which he went from one sideline to the other and finished in the end zone. When cornered, Bush came to a stop, put the ball behind his back and raced across the field. Teammates compared the play with a basketball move.

"That was something special I was holding up my sleeve," Bush said.

For about a month, Bush was reined in by defenses that focused on him and was frustrated by USC's inability to give him the ball when there was available running room. He was infuriated Saturday when Fresno State players -- even the opposing kicker -- got in his face after tackles.

At the end of the night, Bush had a Pac-10 record 513 all-purpose yards, including 294 rushing yards and touchdowns runs of 45 and 50 yards. He may also have set records for spin moves and slipped tackles. His stepfather, LaMar Griffin, provided the final words. "Tonight," he said, "I think he won the Heisman Trophy."

RISE OF THE BULLDOGS

Secondly, Fresno State may as well start playing football in the Pac-10.

Almost every year, a team from a non-BCS conference makes a charming run up the polls -- Utah, Tulane, Boise State -- only to sink the next season.

What makes Fresno State the premier program from a non-BCS conference is its consistency. The Bulldogs, who regularly dominate the Western Athletic Conference, always seem to have a pro-style quarterback, a surplus of sure tacklers and superb special teams. And they seem to be more hungry than any team they play.

"They don't get pushed around," USC linebacker Oscar Lua said.

When Fresno State upset the Trojans in the 1992 Freedom Bowl, it was deemed a fluke. Since then, however, the Bulldogs have toppled Wisconsin, Kansas State, UCLA, Virginia and Georgia Tech. They have begged to play marquee teams, and then they have beaten them.

Anyone truly surprised that Fresno State led USC in the fourth quarter Saturday has not been paying attention. "I want to see the Trojans win another championship," Bulldogs coach Pat Hill said, "and be in position to play them again."

SO OFFENSIVE

Thirdly, USC and UCLA may score 100 points when they meet in two weeks. Some have speculated that the Trojans have the best offense in college football history, and that comes in handy, considering their defense.

Forty-two points was the most USC ever allowed in a victory and the most it allowed since Pete Carroll became head coach after the 2000 season. Carroll said that even though the Trojans extended their winning streak to 33 games, he was disappointed in the defense and he blamed himself for poor coaching.

"We can't let another team score like that," defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis said.

USC has trailed at halftime in four games this season, not because its offense cannot produce, but because its defense is slow to adjust. Now the Trojans must prepare for UCLA quarterback Drew Olson, who has thrown 30 touchdowns passes and just 3 interceptions this season.

"We've got to execute at the start instead of figuring everything out in the second half," USC safety Darnell Bing said.

Fresno State exposed flaws that 11th-ranked UCLA will try to attack Dec. 3 at the Coliseum and that No. 2 Texas could exploit Jan. 4 in the Rose Bowl. If Fresno State quarterback Paul Pinegar was able to throw for 317 yards against the Trojans, imagine what Olson and Texas' Vince Young might do.

As Saturday night bled into Sunday morning, Carroll was confronted with the notion of his team's mortality. "Can you win every game forever?" he said. "I don't know. But we're trying."

Happy in Happy Valley

When Penn State returned to State College, Pennsylvania, at 10:45pm Saturday, about 6,000 fans were waiting on campus to congratulate them for clinching the Big Ten title. Coach Joe Paterno, quarterback Michael Robinson and linebacker Paul Posluszny addressed the fans.

Much of the team dispersed to watch Fresno State's upset bid against Southern California -- except Paterno, who said he was going to bed. A Fresno State victory would have put No. 4 Penn State in position for the national title game. Penn State's defensive coordinator, Tom Bradley, said he received several calls after 1am from friends rooting for the Bulldogs.

"You don't root for anyone to lose," Bradley said, "but you do watch a little bit closer."

If USC or Texas loses, Penn State (10-1) is next in line to play in the Rose Bowl because of its computer ranking.
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