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mofome · 05-22-2008, 11:56 AM

2. 2004 USC Trojans (13-0, 8-0 Pac-10)

The season: The Trojans opened the season against eventual ACC champion Virginia Tech in the BCA Classic at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. Trojans tailback Reggie Bush had a sensational debut, catching five passes for 127 yards with three touchdowns in a 24-13 victory. After shutting out Colorado State 49-0 (the Rams' worst loss in eight years) and winning 42-10 at BYU, the Trojans got a big scare at Stanford on Sept. 25. USC trailed 28-17 at the half, but its defense shut out the Cardinal in the second half of a 31-28 win. After routing No. 15 Arizona State 45-7, Washington 38-0 and Washington State 42-12, the Trojans traveled to Oregon State on Nov. 6. Playing in heavy fog at Reser Stadium, USC trailed 13-0 in the first half. But Bush returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to spark USC's 28-20 victory. USC then routed Arizona 49-9 and Notre Dame 41-10 and beat UCLA 29-24 to finish the regular season with a 12-0 record.
Signature moment: The Trojans played No. 7 California at the Coliseum in one of the most anticipated games in Pac-10 history. Bears quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed his first 23 passes in the game and nearly led his team to an upset win. The Bears had first-and-goal at the USC 9 with 1:47 to play, but USC's defense forced three incompletions and a sack to seal a 23-17 win.
The championship game: The Orange Bowl featured No. 1 USC against No. 2 Oklahoma for the national championship, but the game failed to live up to its lofty hype. The Trojans turned four Oklahoma turnovers into 24 points and led 38-10 at the half. USC quarterback Matt Leinart completed 18 of 35 passes for 332 yards with five touchdowns, including three to receiver Steve Smith. The USC defense forced Oklahoma quarterback Jason White to throw three interceptions and Oklahoma freshman Adrian Peterson was limited to 82 rushing yards.
The stars: Leinart won the 2004 Heisman Trophy after throwing for 2,990 yards and 28 touchdowns and only six interceptions during the regular season. Bush was the country's most versatile player, scoring 15 touchdowns on runs, catches, passes and kick returns. The Trojans had six first-team All-Americans: Leinart, Bush, defensive end Shaun Cody, linebacker Matt Grootegoed, defensive tackle Mike Patterson and linebacker Lofa Tatupu.
Why they're No. 2: After sharing the 2003 national championship with LSU, USC's motto during the 2004 season was "Leave No Doubt." The Trojans certainly did that during their championship season, becoming only the second team to be ranked No. 1 in the AP poll from start to finish. USC extended its winning streak to 22 games and had won 33 of 34 games after blowing out the Sooners in the Orange Bowl.

05-22-2008, 11:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
mofome SBR Posting Legend Join Date: 12-19-07 Posts: 13,247	2. 2004 USC Trojans (13-0, 8-0 Pac-10) The season: The Trojans opened the season against eventual ACC champion Virginia Tech in the BCA Classic at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. Trojans tailback Reggie Bush had a sensational debut, catching five passes for 127 yards with three touchdowns in a 24-13 victory. After shutting out Colorado State 49-0 (the Rams' worst loss in eight years) and winning 42-10 at BYU, the Trojans got a big scare at Stanford on Sept. 25. USC trailed 28-17 at the half, but its defense shut out the Cardinal in the second half of a 31-28 win. After routing No. 15 Arizona State 45-7, Washington 38-0 and Washington State 42-12, the Trojans traveled to Oregon State on Nov. 6. Playing in heavy fog at Reser Stadium, USC trailed 13-0 in the first half. But Bush returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to spark USC's 28-20 victory. USC then routed Arizona 49-9 and Notre Dame 41-10 and beat UCLA 29-24 to finish the regular season with a 12-0 record. Signature moment: The Trojans played No. 7 California at the Coliseum in one of the most anticipated games in Pac-10 history. Bears quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed his first 23 passes in the game and nearly led his team to an upset win. The Bears had first-and-goal at the USC 9 with 1:47 to play, but USC's defense forced three incompletions and a sack to seal a 23-17 win. The championship game: The Orange Bowl featured No. 1 USC against No. 2 Oklahoma for the national championship, but the game failed to live up to its lofty hype. The Trojans turned four Oklahoma turnovers into 24 points and led 38-10 at the half. USC quarterback Matt Leinart completed 18 of 35 passes for 332 yards with five touchdowns, including three to receiver Steve Smith. The USC defense forced Oklahoma quarterback Jason White to throw three interceptions and Oklahoma freshman Adrian Peterson was limited to 82 rushing yards. The stars: Leinart won the 2004 Heisman Trophy after throwing for 2,990 yards and 28 touchdowns and only six interceptions during the regular season. Bush was the country's most versatile player, scoring 15 touchdowns on runs, catches, passes and kick returns. The Trojans had six first-team All-Americans: Leinart, Bush, defensive end Shaun Cody, linebacker Matt Grootegoed, defensive tackle Mike Patterson and linebacker Lofa Tatupu. Why they're No. 2: After sharing the 2003 national championship with LSU, USC's motto during the 2004 season was "Leave No Doubt." The Trojans certainly did that during their championship season, becoming only the second team to be ranked No. 1 in the AP poll from start to finish. USC extended its winning streak to 22 games and had won 33 of 34 games after blowing out the Sooners in the Orange Bowl.
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