USC hammers UCLA; Bush runs for 260 yards

LOS ANGELES -- Run, Reggie, run -- all the way to the Rose Bowl.

A step away from playing for an unprecedented third straight national title, Reggie Bush and No. 1 Southern California stomped into the championship game by overpowering their crosstown rivals Saturday.

Bush ran for 260 yards and two touchdowns in a 66-19 victory over No. 11 UCLA, the 34th consecutive win for the top-ranked Trojans and 16th straight against a ranked opponent.

Now only Texas stands between USC (12-0, 8-0 Pac-10) and a perfectly historic season.

"This is the type of season we wanted from Day One," Bush said. "This is the type of season we envisioned. We were able to make it come true, it's great feeling."

The Bowl Championship Series will make it official today: Trojans vs. Longhorns on Jan. 4 in the national title game.

The festivities at the Coliseum started with a warm farewell to a senior class that's been part of one of the greatest dynasties in college football history. Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart was last to be honored with a long standing ovation before USC and UCLA played for the 75th time.

From there, it was Bush's day.

Against the 115th-ranked run defense in the country, USC made its intentions clear for the start. Keep it simple and let Bush put a punctuation mark on his Heisman campaign. No doubt both Bush and Leinart will be in New York on Saturday when the big bronze trophy is handed out. And after the way Bush finished off the regular season, it certainly seems like it's his turn hold the hardware.

"Reggie's got my vote," Leinart said.