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UCLA vs USC
December 3, 2005, 4:30pm EST
Los Angeles Coliseum
Bruins determined to stop Bush
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- UCLA has made a string of opposing runners look like Heisman Trophy material -- and none was exactly Reggie Bush.
The No. 11 Bruins' generous defense is allowing 219.5 yards rushing a game to rank 115th in the country. UCLA knows it will have to plug many holes to have a chance against No. 1 Southern California at the Coliseum on Saturday.
Bush, who was extraordinary in a 29-24 victory over UCLA a year ago, has played even better as a junior this season and is a leading candidate for the Heisman.
He and power-running teammate LenDale White will be slashing at a defense that allowed Justin Forsett to rush for 153 yards and Marshawn Lynch 135 for California; Jerome Harrison to pick up 260 for Washington State; and Mike Bell to run for 153 and Gilbert Harris another 113 for Arizona.
The Bruins (9-1, 6-1 Pac-10) still beat Cal and Washington State with late comebacks, with their only loss at Arizona. But none of those teams would be mistaken for two-time defending national champion USC.
UCLA has had three weeks to try to figure out how to bottle up the Trojans' running game while keeping 2004 Heisman winner Matt Leinart from dissecting their secondary with his passes.
"It's a little tougher preparing for USC because of Reggie Bush," UCLA cornerback Marcus Cassel said. "They've got a great passing attack, a great quarterback and they have a running back who can make things happen."
Linebacker Spencer Havner, who leads the Bruins with 84 tackles, thinks the defense is ready for Bush & Co.
"I'm looking forward to facing Reggie Bush. Maybe it's stupid to think that, but that's how I look at it," Havner said. "Reggie has a certain style and it's usually to head outside.
"We have to have people coming to the ball. You can cut off his lanes. He's not Superman, although he may look like it at times. You can stop anybody if your defense is pursuing the ball properly."
The return of another senior linebacker, Justin London, could give the Bruins a boost.
"We've struggled against the run all year. I'm not the savior, but I feel I can make a difference," said London, who has been slowed by an ankle injury all season and missed the past two games. "We are going to have to play a tremendous game. This is a great offense we're facing, the most potent in the nation."
Bush, coming off a 50-42 victory over Fresno State when he set a Pac-10 record with 513 all-purpose yards, has gained 1,398 yards rushing and is averaging 8.6 yards a carry. He also has 31 catches for 383 yards and is always dangerous on kickoff and punt returns.
UCLA hasn't played since beating Arizona State 45-35 on Nov. 12 to bounce back from the humbling 52-14 loss at Arizona the previous week. Although USC (11-0) had a bye last weekend, the Bruins have had even more time to analyze the Trojans.
Defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said the Bruins have watched a lot of film, with Bush usually in the starring role.
"Every game's like a highlight film. You can see him doing something spectacular in every game," Kerr said. "Nobody comes to mind quite like Reggie, who can break plays and games open the way he can.
"Last year he hurt us a couple of times. But I think we can slow him down."
Bush was the difference in USC's narrow victory last year, with his 335 total yards including 204 on 15 carries and touchdown runs of 65 and 81 yards.
"Those long runs gave them the game," Havner said. "A key for us will be to try to eliminate that."
The Bruins had one solid game against an outstanding runner this season. They stacked the defense and held 2004 Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson to 58 yards on 23 carries in a 41-24 victory over struggling Oklahoma, which had virtually no passing attack at the time.
With Leinart, the Trojans certainly aren't a one-dimensional team.
Bush recalled from last year's game that UCLA "did a good job against the pass and allowed us to run the ball. They really weren't going to let Matt beat them."
This time, the Bruins seem determined not to let Bush beat them.
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