John Tamanaha

Matt Leinart was having a bad game. Other quarterbacks would gladly accept the numbers he was posting, but they weren’t up to the standards of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

He also wasn’t feeling so great. It had nothing to do with being held without a touchdown pass and everything to do with getting banged on the back of his helmet by Trojan tailback LenDale White, following an ill-advised attempt at blocking.

It was another one of those games where Leinart spent some time on the bench, holding his head in his hands while trying to put it all back together, as his backup gets his arm loose.  But, this wasn’t Arizona State he was up against. It was the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. So, dazed or not, Leinart had to respond.

Being the absolute gamer that he is, Leinart did, and in the process has become one of those athletes who has a magical mystic surrounding him.

How else does one explain his performance in the final 90 seconds of USC’s heart-stopping 34-31 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday?

Trailing, 31-28, with 1:32 left and facing a fourth-and-nine at his own 26-yard line, Leinart knew it was all on the line — USC’s 27-game winning streak, the chance at a third consecutive national championship, a shot at back-to-back Heismans, everything he chose to forgo the NFL for. It all came down to this.

Leinart answered by calmly barking out an audible and lofting a perfect pass along the left sideline to receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who ran to the Notre Dame 13-yard line for a 64-yard gain.

More magic was required, especially since USC had no time outs remaining, little confidence in its kicker and this matter of 13 yards to travel.

No. 1 USC 34, No. 9 Notre Dame 31 Leinart, Bush lead USC in thriller Commentary: A magic year for Trojans Dynamic duo too much for Fighting Irish Weis not interested in moral victories Ventre: USC offense may be best of all-time Interactive: Three-peat failures in history Notre Dame Central: Full coverage of the Irish

The incomparable Reggie Bush, who finished with 160 yards rushing and three touchdowns, advanced the football 11 more yards, giving the Trojans a first-and-goal at the two.

As the final seconds ticked away, Leinart rolled to his left and was unable to find a receiver.  He decided to try and make it to the end zone or sideline himself. He didn’t reach either, talking a big hit near the pylon.

The ball, however, flew out of bounds. Never before had a fumble been so beneficial.

The timekeeper didn’t see the ball or the official waving his hands above his head and the scoreboard clock soon ran out. Notre Dame students poured onto the field. Irish players celebrated. Trojan players didn’t know what to feel. Looking up to a scoreboard that showed them being behind with no time left was a foreign concept.

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But, instant replay wasn’t needed to restore order. Seven seconds were put back on the clock and USC had a second-and-goal at the one.

Knowing that they didn’t want to rely on field goal attempt, the Trojans only suggested that they would spike the ball to kill the clock and try to send the game into overtime with a kick. Instead the tricky Trojans opted to call a do-or-die quarterback sneak.

Leinart initially got stuffed in the middle, but spun to his left and eventually found a crease provided by tackle Sam Baker and tight end Fred Davis. With a nudge from behind by Bush, Leinart backed into the end zone to win the game and keep the Trojan train on its tracks.