Bush captures Heisman Trophy

NEW YORK -- Reggie Bush left the competition far, far behind -- as usual.

Southern California's junior tailback was awarded the Heisman Trophy as college football's best player Saturday night after winning a landslide over Texas quarterback Vince Young and USC quarterback Matt Leinart, last year's winner.

"Oh man, this is amazing," Bush said, with a row of former winners lining the stage behind him. "It's truly an honor to be elected to this fraternity. I've been in college for three years and it's the first time I've been invited into a fraternity."

Bush and Leinart will be the first Heisman winners to play for the same team in a college game when USC goes for a third straight national title against Texas in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 4.

When Bush's name was announced, he bent over in his chair, and clasped his hands. When he reached the podium to give his acceptance speech, he started by letting out a huge sigh. He must have been the only one in doubt about the outcome.

Bush received 2,541 points to finish 933 points ahead of Young, with Leinart a distant third.

The 784 first-place votes received by Bush was the second-most in Heisman history, topped only by USC's O.J. Simpson, who had 855 in 1968. Bush was first in all six regions and appeared on 99 percent of the ballots.

Bush began to distance himself in the race in mid-October, when he ran for 160 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-31 victory at Notre Dame.

On Nov. 19, Bush ran for 295 yards, racked up 513 all-purpose yards -- the second-highest total in NCAA history -- and USC escaped with a 50-42 victory at home against Fresno State.

Against UCLA last weekend, Bush ran for 260 yards and two touchdowns in a 66-19 victory. Only the lopsided score kept Bush from doing even more damage.

For the year, Bush has 1,658 yards, a dizzying average of 8.9 yards per carry, and leads the nation in all-purpose yards with 217.9 per game.