Desert Sapper
2/8/2006, 02:56 PM
The last time somebody posted this, we had just lost to USC (fakely) 35-21. I thought everyone deserved an update (and gratification that we fakely did better against USC than everybody else they fakely beat).
http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/Ultimate_National_Title.htm
No. 8 Oklahoma 31 ... No. 25 Syracuse 0
Adrian Peterson ran for 196 yards and two touchdowns and Chijjoke Oyenegecha intercepted three passes and returned one 45 yards for a touchdown as Oklahoma rolled over the Orange. Syracuse managed 358 yards of total offense, but turned it over five times and suffered two missed field goals. Peterson started off the scoring with a 74-yard touchdown run and ran for a five-yard score in the second quarter on the way to a 24-0 halftime lead.
Player of the Game - Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson ran 28 times for 196 yards and two touchdowns.
Fun Stat - Turnovers: Syracuse 5 - Oklahoma 0
No. 8 Oklahoma 28 ... No. 12 Wake Forest 17
Adrian Peterson ran for two touchdowns and Chijoke Onyenegecha picked off a pass for a 59-yard touchdown as the Sooners took a 21-3 lead into the fourth quarter. Wake Forest made it interesting finishing a long drive with a two-yard touchdown run from Chris Barclay, but the Sooners answered on the ensuing drive with a 15-yard Rhett Bomar pass to Travis Wilson to put it away. Nate Morton caught a 25-yard touchdown pass for the final Demon Deacon (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_2nd.htm##) score.
Player of the Game - Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson ran 27 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
Fun Stat - Penalties: Wake Forest 11 for 134 yards - Oklahoma 2 for 10
No. 1 USC 35 ... No. 8 Oklahoma 21
USC's (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_3rd.htm##) run defense couldn't handle OU RB Adrian Peterson, but OU's secondary couldn't handle USC QB Matt Leinart (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_3rd.htm##). Leinart heated up to lead the Trojans to five touchdowns in six drives with four touchdown passes. Dwayne Jarrett caught two scores, Steve Smith (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_3rd.htm##) caught one, and Reggie Bush took a short pass 35 yards for a touchdown to finally put the game away. Peterson, who finished with 167 rushing yards, started off the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown dash, and ran for scores from 20 and three yards away, with the final score tying the game at 21 in the third quarter. But OU wouldn't get any closer with two interceptions from Rhett Bomar killing two potential scoring drives. Along with his four touchdown passes, Leinart ran 23 yards down to the one to set up the go-ahead score on a LenDale White run midway through the fourth.
Player of the Game - USC QB Matt Leinart completed 23 of 35 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns and ran five times for 44 yards.
Fun Stat - Passing yards: USC 329 - Oklahoma 109
No. 1 USC 24 ... No. 4 Alabama 10
USC's (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_Semifinals.htm##) offense was held in check for most of the game, but the defense and special teams saved the day.
After a 0-0 first quarter, USC's Reggie Bush fielded a punt on his own 31, ran up the right side, made two moves to get back to midfield, and then cut back to the outside for a 69-yard touchdown for the first score of the game. A 34-yard Mario Danelo field goal (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_Semifinals.htm##) gave the Trojans a 10-0 halftime lead, but the offense had only gained 177 yards. Unfortunately for the Tide, its offense wasn't exactly rocking and rolling.
Alabama failed to gain a first down on its first four drives, and then went on a 64-yard drive only lose the ball on a botched snap. The second half started out better for the Tide attack with a 33-yard Jamie Christensen field goal off the opening kickoff, and then the defense came through again with a three and out. Just as the momentum had swung Bama's way, disaster struck.
After two long runs on the first two plays from RB Ken Darby, QB Brodie Croyle (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_Semifinals.htm##) sailed a pass across the middle and into the arms of safety Darnell Bing, who got down to the Bama six before getting knocked out of bounds. Bush scored on the next play with a dive over the right pylon.
The Trojan offense finally woke up with its best drive of the day marching 77 yards on 11 plays early in the fourth quarter finishing off with a four-yard touchdown pass to Dominique Byrd for a 24-3 lead. The Tide's touchdown came on a 38-yard pass to D.J. Hall with 3:19 to play, but that was the last time the offense got the ball.
"It wasn't nearly our best performance," said USC QB Matt Leinart (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_Semifinals.htm##). "Give them credit. Their defense was all over the place and held our running game down all game long."
USC's running game was held to 119 yards with Bush gaining 73 of them.
Player of the Game - USC S Darnell Bing made eight tackles, broke up two passes and returned an interception for a touchdown.
Fun Stat - Time of possession: Alabama 39:10 - USC 20:50
No. 1 USC 45 ... No. 7 Boston College 17
USC tore open a close game in the second half with three straight touchdown drives and a 58-yard interception return for a score from John Walker to advance to the Ultimate National Title Final Four.
Boston College matched the Trojans punch for punch in the first half taking an early 7-0 lead on a 31-yard touchdown pass to Will Blackmon, and answering a four-yard LenDale White touchdown run with a 29-yard field goal from Ryan Ohliger for a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
USC appeared ready to go on a big run early in the second quarter on a 81-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith, who took a slant pass from Matt Leinart up the middle of the field for the untouched score. On the ensuing kickoff, Blackmon lost a fumble on the BC 11, but the Trojans were only able to manage a Mario Danelo field goal for a 17-10 lead.
The Eagles carved up the Trojan secondary on a crisp 68-yard drive in fewer than three minutes closing out with an L.V. Whitworth touchdown to tie it at 17, but disaster almost struck on the ensuing kickoff as Reggie Bush returned it for an electrifying score that was called back on a holding penalty.
Even with the called back touchdown, USC almost took the lead late in the first half getting down to the Boston College 15 on a 61-yard pass to Dwayne Jarrett, but with no timeouts left, the field goal team had to be rushed on the field and mishandled the snap leading to a missed Danelo field goal attempt.
"I thought we had several chances in the first half to take a firm hold on the game," said USC head coach Pete Carroll. "As good as BC was playing, we needed to capitalize right off the bat in the second half and tighten up on defense on third downs."
USC did both forcing the Eagles to misfire on all six second half third down chances and was nearly perfect on offense in the third quarter with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Smith, a 33-yard touchdown run from Bush, and a five-yard scoring dash from White to put the game away.
BC's running game, which ripped off 191 yards in the first half, was held to 17 yards in the second half, while QB Matt Ryan threw two interceptions and was ineffective completing just seven of 19 passes.
"We needed to play a perfect game to win, and we didn't," said Boston College head coach Tom O'Brien. "That's a very, very good team over there and we made far too many mistakes and we didn't take advantage of the chances we were given. We also didn't make enough game changing plays."
All wasn't perfect for USC with backup QB John David Booty, who filled in for Leinart in the fourth quarter, suffered a separated shoulder after only completing two of seven passes.
Player of the Game - USC QB Matt Leinart completed 20 of 31 passes for 375 yards and two touchdowns.
Fun Stat - Net punting yards: Boston College 45.31 - USC 25.1
West Champion - USC Trojans
West Champion No. 1 USC 34 ... North Champion No. 1 Ohio State 31
USC QB Matt Leinart marched the Trojans 81 yards in nine plays over a 2:39 span finishing off with a five-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith to take the lead for good, but it took a sack to finally put the Buckeyes away.
Getting the ball on its own 34 with :29 to play, Ohio State almost got into field goal range after a 16-yard pass to Santonio Holmes and a ten-yard pass to Ted Ginn Jr., but stalled when USC's Frostee Rucker got free and brought QB Troy Smith down for a seven-yard loss. With no time outs left, Ohio State couldn't get the clock stopped and USC escaped a classic.
Neither running game could get going, so it was all up to the arms of the quarterbacks in a fantastic air show with Leinart throwing for 402 yards and Smith throwing for 386. While Smith was able to add 49 rushing yards, Leinart got into the end zone on a five-yard run in the first quarter.
The Buckeyes got on the board first on a 23-yard touchdown pass to Holmes to capitalize on a 48-yard punt return from Ted Ginn Jr, but Heisman winner Reggie Bush was equal to the task coming up with a 49-yard punt return to set up Leinart's score to tie it at seven.
Ohio State responded with its best drive the game scoring on a nine-yard pass to Anthony Gonzalez followed up by a 40-yard Josh Huston field goal for a 17-7 lead.
And then Leinart got hot.
"They have so many weapons, but our goal was to stop the running game and hope for the best," said Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel. "Leinart just beat us."
Leinart completed ten of 12 passes in the second quarter with a 19-yard scoring strike to Dwayne Jarrett and the final drive of the half leading to a 34-yard Mario Danelo field goal to tie it at 17-17, but it could've been worse for the Buckeyes. USC got down to the five, but Bush lost the ball through the end zone trying to dive for a score and OSU CB Ashton Youboty recovered.
The Buckeyes came out sharp in the second half taking the opening drive 80 yards and ten plays finished off by a one-yard touchdown run from Antonio Pittman. USC answered with a 31-yard Danelo field goal before taking 27-24 late in the third quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett.
The fourth quarter started out horribly for the Buckeyes and finished worse. Driving down to the USC three, OSU got nailed for two penalties and a sack eventually forcing a third and goal from 34. Trying to get a few more yards to kick the game-tying field goal, Pittman ran for five yards before getting stripped. Safety Darnell Bing took the turnover across midfield, but the Trojan offense wasn't able to do anything with it.
The two teams traded punts before Ginn Jr. returned one 39 yards to the USC 38 setting up a Smith 12-yard scoring pass to Holmes with just under three minutes to play for the 31-27 lead. Leinart's heroics ended the Ohio State celebration.
"Considering their defense and all the talent they have, that might have been the best game of Matt's career," said USC head coach Pete Carroll. "He made every right read. Every one."
Player of the Game - USC QB Matt Leinart completed 30 of 49 passes for 402 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a short score.
Fun Stat - Punt return average: Ohio State 20.1 - USC 15.9
2005-2006 Ultimate National Champion
USC Trojans
No. 1 USC 45 ... No. 3 Virginia Tech 17
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Virginia Tech vowed to play better than it did in last year's 31-10 loss to USC in the Rose Bowl. And for almost a half, it appeared to fulfill its wish.
And then Reggie Bush kicked it into gear.
Known for its great special teams, Virginia Tech suffered a shocking meltdown allowing two Bush punt returns for touchdowns including a 69-yarder with :49 left in the first half to give the Trojans a 21-14 lead it wouldn't relinquish.
The score took the life out of the Hokies as USC started off the second half with a 21-point third quarter highlighted by a 59-yard punt return for a score by Bush. The run finally ended on a 45-yard Brandon Pace field goal for Tech's final points of the game.
With the win, USC became the first team to win two straight Ultimate National Titles after beating Utah last year.
The game started off promising for the Hokies with a 79-yard drive finishing with a two-yard Marcus Vick touchdown run, but USC was able to answer on a 41-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Jarrett. With star corner Jimmy Williams unable to go thanks to an injured knee, the Virginia Tech secondary was short-handed allowing Matt Leinart and the USC passing game to fire at will.
"We knew just before game time that Jimmy wasn't able to go," said Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer. "Against an offense like USC's, you need to have everyone available. They're just too good to not have a player like Jimmy out there."
USC scored on its next drive without a problem as Leinart completed six straight passes, finishing with a swing pass to Bush, who took it 21 yards for a score and a 14-7 lead. But the Trojans struggled over the rest of the first half with two turnovers and two stalled drives allowing the Hokies to tie it midway through the second quarter on an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jeff King.
Unable to move the ball late in the first half, Virginia Tech looked for a big play from its punt coverage unit to prevent a late USC score, but Bush took the kick on his own 31, bobbed to his right, cut up the left side of the field, and then cut back untouched from midfield on for the back-breaking score.
Leinart, who was named the Tournament MVP, had few problems from then on starting the second half with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett and closing out the quarter with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith on the way to a 42-14 lead going into the fourth.
Virginia Tech's offense went nowhere with Vick having a nightmare of a second half only completing two of 14 passes with two interceptions, one fumble, and was sacked four times. The Hokie field goal was set up by 49-yard run by Branden Ore.
"Marcus needed to be sharp, and he made bad decision after bad decision in the second half," said Beamer after being asked if he thought about pulling his starting quarterback in the third quarter. "We were hoping he'd break out of it, but he never did until it was too late."
Leinart left the game after the first play of the fourth quarter after completing 23 of 30 passes for 329 yards and four touchdowns, but the game belonged to the Heisman Trophy winner.
"He had been kept under wraps, for the most part, all tournament," said USC head coach Pete Carroll. "Eventually, he was going to break out and have a big game, and he picked the best time to do it."
Player of the Game - USC RB Reggie Bush ran 15 times for 84 yards, caught five passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, and returned six punts for 219 yards and two touchdowns.
Fun Stat - Total yards: USC 592 - Virginia Tech 288
http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/Ultimate_National_Title.htm
No. 8 Oklahoma 31 ... No. 25 Syracuse 0
Adrian Peterson ran for 196 yards and two touchdowns and Chijjoke Oyenegecha intercepted three passes and returned one 45 yards for a touchdown as Oklahoma rolled over the Orange. Syracuse managed 358 yards of total offense, but turned it over five times and suffered two missed field goals. Peterson started off the scoring with a 74-yard touchdown run and ran for a five-yard score in the second quarter on the way to a 24-0 halftime lead.
Player of the Game - Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson ran 28 times for 196 yards and two touchdowns.
Fun Stat - Turnovers: Syracuse 5 - Oklahoma 0
No. 8 Oklahoma 28 ... No. 12 Wake Forest 17
Adrian Peterson ran for two touchdowns and Chijoke Onyenegecha picked off a pass for a 59-yard touchdown as the Sooners took a 21-3 lead into the fourth quarter. Wake Forest made it interesting finishing a long drive with a two-yard touchdown run from Chris Barclay, but the Sooners answered on the ensuing drive with a 15-yard Rhett Bomar pass to Travis Wilson to put it away. Nate Morton caught a 25-yard touchdown pass for the final Demon Deacon (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_2nd.htm##) score.
Player of the Game - Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson ran 27 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
Fun Stat - Penalties: Wake Forest 11 for 134 yards - Oklahoma 2 for 10
No. 1 USC 35 ... No. 8 Oklahoma 21
USC's (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_3rd.htm##) run defense couldn't handle OU RB Adrian Peterson, but OU's secondary couldn't handle USC QB Matt Leinart (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_3rd.htm##). Leinart heated up to lead the Trojans to five touchdowns in six drives with four touchdown passes. Dwayne Jarrett caught two scores, Steve Smith (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_3rd.htm##) caught one, and Reggie Bush took a short pass 35 yards for a touchdown to finally put the game away. Peterson, who finished with 167 rushing yards, started off the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown dash, and ran for scores from 20 and three yards away, with the final score tying the game at 21 in the third quarter. But OU wouldn't get any closer with two interceptions from Rhett Bomar killing two potential scoring drives. Along with his four touchdown passes, Leinart ran 23 yards down to the one to set up the go-ahead score on a LenDale White run midway through the fourth.
Player of the Game - USC QB Matt Leinart completed 23 of 35 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns and ran five times for 44 yards.
Fun Stat - Passing yards: USC 329 - Oklahoma 109
No. 1 USC 24 ... No. 4 Alabama 10
USC's (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_Semifinals.htm##) offense was held in check for most of the game, but the defense and special teams saved the day.
After a 0-0 first quarter, USC's Reggie Bush fielded a punt on his own 31, ran up the right side, made two moves to get back to midfield, and then cut back to the outside for a 69-yard touchdown for the first score of the game. A 34-yard Mario Danelo field goal (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_Semifinals.htm##) gave the Trojans a 10-0 halftime lead, but the offense had only gained 177 yards. Unfortunately for the Tide, its offense wasn't exactly rocking and rolling.
Alabama failed to gain a first down on its first four drives, and then went on a 64-yard drive only lose the ball on a botched snap. The second half started out better for the Tide attack with a 33-yard Jamie Christensen field goal off the opening kickoff, and then the defense came through again with a three and out. Just as the momentum had swung Bama's way, disaster struck.
After two long runs on the first two plays from RB Ken Darby, QB Brodie Croyle (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_Semifinals.htm##) sailed a pass across the middle and into the arms of safety Darnell Bing, who got down to the Bama six before getting knocked out of bounds. Bush scored on the next play with a dive over the right pylon.
The Trojan offense finally woke up with its best drive of the day marching 77 yards on 11 plays early in the fourth quarter finishing off with a four-yard touchdown pass to Dominique Byrd for a 24-3 lead. The Tide's touchdown came on a 38-yard pass to D.J. Hall with 3:19 to play, but that was the last time the offense got the ball.
"It wasn't nearly our best performance," said USC QB Matt Leinart (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/ULT/West_Semifinals.htm##). "Give them credit. Their defense was all over the place and held our running game down all game long."
USC's running game was held to 119 yards with Bush gaining 73 of them.
Player of the Game - USC S Darnell Bing made eight tackles, broke up two passes and returned an interception for a touchdown.
Fun Stat - Time of possession: Alabama 39:10 - USC 20:50
No. 1 USC 45 ... No. 7 Boston College 17
USC tore open a close game in the second half with three straight touchdown drives and a 58-yard interception return for a score from John Walker to advance to the Ultimate National Title Final Four.
Boston College matched the Trojans punch for punch in the first half taking an early 7-0 lead on a 31-yard touchdown pass to Will Blackmon, and answering a four-yard LenDale White touchdown run with a 29-yard field goal from Ryan Ohliger for a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
USC appeared ready to go on a big run early in the second quarter on a 81-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith, who took a slant pass from Matt Leinart up the middle of the field for the untouched score. On the ensuing kickoff, Blackmon lost a fumble on the BC 11, but the Trojans were only able to manage a Mario Danelo field goal for a 17-10 lead.
The Eagles carved up the Trojan secondary on a crisp 68-yard drive in fewer than three minutes closing out with an L.V. Whitworth touchdown to tie it at 17, but disaster almost struck on the ensuing kickoff as Reggie Bush returned it for an electrifying score that was called back on a holding penalty.
Even with the called back touchdown, USC almost took the lead late in the first half getting down to the Boston College 15 on a 61-yard pass to Dwayne Jarrett, but with no timeouts left, the field goal team had to be rushed on the field and mishandled the snap leading to a missed Danelo field goal attempt.
"I thought we had several chances in the first half to take a firm hold on the game," said USC head coach Pete Carroll. "As good as BC was playing, we needed to capitalize right off the bat in the second half and tighten up on defense on third downs."
USC did both forcing the Eagles to misfire on all six second half third down chances and was nearly perfect on offense in the third quarter with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Smith, a 33-yard touchdown run from Bush, and a five-yard scoring dash from White to put the game away.
BC's running game, which ripped off 191 yards in the first half, was held to 17 yards in the second half, while QB Matt Ryan threw two interceptions and was ineffective completing just seven of 19 passes.
"We needed to play a perfect game to win, and we didn't," said Boston College head coach Tom O'Brien. "That's a very, very good team over there and we made far too many mistakes and we didn't take advantage of the chances we were given. We also didn't make enough game changing plays."
All wasn't perfect for USC with backup QB John David Booty, who filled in for Leinart in the fourth quarter, suffered a separated shoulder after only completing two of seven passes.
Player of the Game - USC QB Matt Leinart completed 20 of 31 passes for 375 yards and two touchdowns.
Fun Stat - Net punting yards: Boston College 45.31 - USC 25.1
West Champion - USC Trojans
West Champion No. 1 USC 34 ... North Champion No. 1 Ohio State 31
USC QB Matt Leinart marched the Trojans 81 yards in nine plays over a 2:39 span finishing off with a five-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith to take the lead for good, but it took a sack to finally put the Buckeyes away.
Getting the ball on its own 34 with :29 to play, Ohio State almost got into field goal range after a 16-yard pass to Santonio Holmes and a ten-yard pass to Ted Ginn Jr., but stalled when USC's Frostee Rucker got free and brought QB Troy Smith down for a seven-yard loss. With no time outs left, Ohio State couldn't get the clock stopped and USC escaped a classic.
Neither running game could get going, so it was all up to the arms of the quarterbacks in a fantastic air show with Leinart throwing for 402 yards and Smith throwing for 386. While Smith was able to add 49 rushing yards, Leinart got into the end zone on a five-yard run in the first quarter.
The Buckeyes got on the board first on a 23-yard touchdown pass to Holmes to capitalize on a 48-yard punt return from Ted Ginn Jr, but Heisman winner Reggie Bush was equal to the task coming up with a 49-yard punt return to set up Leinart's score to tie it at seven.
Ohio State responded with its best drive the game scoring on a nine-yard pass to Anthony Gonzalez followed up by a 40-yard Josh Huston field goal for a 17-7 lead.
And then Leinart got hot.
"They have so many weapons, but our goal was to stop the running game and hope for the best," said Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel. "Leinart just beat us."
Leinart completed ten of 12 passes in the second quarter with a 19-yard scoring strike to Dwayne Jarrett and the final drive of the half leading to a 34-yard Mario Danelo field goal to tie it at 17-17, but it could've been worse for the Buckeyes. USC got down to the five, but Bush lost the ball through the end zone trying to dive for a score and OSU CB Ashton Youboty recovered.
The Buckeyes came out sharp in the second half taking the opening drive 80 yards and ten plays finished off by a one-yard touchdown run from Antonio Pittman. USC answered with a 31-yard Danelo field goal before taking 27-24 late in the third quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett.
The fourth quarter started out horribly for the Buckeyes and finished worse. Driving down to the USC three, OSU got nailed for two penalties and a sack eventually forcing a third and goal from 34. Trying to get a few more yards to kick the game-tying field goal, Pittman ran for five yards before getting stripped. Safety Darnell Bing took the turnover across midfield, but the Trojan offense wasn't able to do anything with it.
The two teams traded punts before Ginn Jr. returned one 39 yards to the USC 38 setting up a Smith 12-yard scoring pass to Holmes with just under three minutes to play for the 31-27 lead. Leinart's heroics ended the Ohio State celebration.
"Considering their defense and all the talent they have, that might have been the best game of Matt's career," said USC head coach Pete Carroll. "He made every right read. Every one."
Player of the Game - USC QB Matt Leinart completed 30 of 49 passes for 402 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a short score.
Fun Stat - Punt return average: Ohio State 20.1 - USC 15.9
2005-2006 Ultimate National Champion
USC Trojans
No. 1 USC 45 ... No. 3 Virginia Tech 17
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Virginia Tech vowed to play better than it did in last year's 31-10 loss to USC in the Rose Bowl. And for almost a half, it appeared to fulfill its wish.
And then Reggie Bush kicked it into gear.
Known for its great special teams, Virginia Tech suffered a shocking meltdown allowing two Bush punt returns for touchdowns including a 69-yarder with :49 left in the first half to give the Trojans a 21-14 lead it wouldn't relinquish.
The score took the life out of the Hokies as USC started off the second half with a 21-point third quarter highlighted by a 59-yard punt return for a score by Bush. The run finally ended on a 45-yard Brandon Pace field goal for Tech's final points of the game.
With the win, USC became the first team to win two straight Ultimate National Titles after beating Utah last year.
The game started off promising for the Hokies with a 79-yard drive finishing with a two-yard Marcus Vick touchdown run, but USC was able to answer on a 41-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Jarrett. With star corner Jimmy Williams unable to go thanks to an injured knee, the Virginia Tech secondary was short-handed allowing Matt Leinart and the USC passing game to fire at will.
"We knew just before game time that Jimmy wasn't able to go," said Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer. "Against an offense like USC's, you need to have everyone available. They're just too good to not have a player like Jimmy out there."
USC scored on its next drive without a problem as Leinart completed six straight passes, finishing with a swing pass to Bush, who took it 21 yards for a score and a 14-7 lead. But the Trojans struggled over the rest of the first half with two turnovers and two stalled drives allowing the Hokies to tie it midway through the second quarter on an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jeff King.
Unable to move the ball late in the first half, Virginia Tech looked for a big play from its punt coverage unit to prevent a late USC score, but Bush took the kick on his own 31, bobbed to his right, cut up the left side of the field, and then cut back untouched from midfield on for the back-breaking score.
Leinart, who was named the Tournament MVP, had few problems from then on starting the second half with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett and closing out the quarter with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith on the way to a 42-14 lead going into the fourth.
Virginia Tech's offense went nowhere with Vick having a nightmare of a second half only completing two of 14 passes with two interceptions, one fumble, and was sacked four times. The Hokie field goal was set up by 49-yard run by Branden Ore.
"Marcus needed to be sharp, and he made bad decision after bad decision in the second half," said Beamer after being asked if he thought about pulling his starting quarterback in the third quarter. "We were hoping he'd break out of it, but he never did until it was too late."
Leinart left the game after the first play of the fourth quarter after completing 23 of 30 passes for 329 yards and four touchdowns, but the game belonged to the Heisman Trophy winner.
"He had been kept under wraps, for the most part, all tournament," said USC head coach Pete Carroll. "Eventually, he was going to break out and have a big game, and he picked the best time to do it."
Player of the Game - USC RB Reggie Bush ran 15 times for 84 yards, caught five passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, and returned six punts for 219 yards and two touchdowns.
Fun Stat - Total yards: USC 592 - Virginia Tech 288