Leinart Played Conquest in Clutch

SOUTH BEND, Ind. —  So many things had gone wrong for Matt Leinart.

In a game filled with incompletions and interceptions -- at least more than fans are accustomed to seeing from him -- the USC quarterback was clearly frustrated.

Grimacing after missed throws. Slumping onto the bench, head down, near the end of the game.

So maybe it was surprising the way he stepped into the huddle with 1:58 remaining, calm and upbeat, even with the top-ranked Trojans trailing ninth-ranked Notre Dame, needing to go 75 yards for a touchdown.

“Let’s make a big play,” he said.

And then, according to offensive lineman Fred Matua, he did something else.

“He gave us a big smile.”

For the record, Leinart succeeded in making something good of a tough game, guiding the Trojans to a 34-31 victory at Notre Dame Stadium, scoring the winning touchdown on a sneak with three seconds remaining.

Afterward, he hoped that fans would remember how the game ended, as opposed to much of what came before.

“I was off all day,” he mused. “I don’t know what was wrong.”

This was supposed to be a big opportunity for the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, playing before a national television audience, facing a defense that had struggled against the pass. Early on, he threw 52 yards to tight end Dominique Byrd as USC built a 14-7 lead. But after one quarter, Leinart had only two completions in six attempts, only 66 yards. Things would get worse.

Deep in Notre Dame territory in the second quarter, he underthrew receiver Steve Smith in the end zone, the ball bouncing off one defender, into the hands of another.

Shortly after halftime, his pass to fullback Brandon Hancock sailed into the arms of cornerback Mike Richardson.

“I have no excuse,” he said.

It did not help that the Irish sacked him twice and pressured him at other times. Or that his receivers dropped several passes.

It did not help that -- as with every Saturday -- he faced immense expectations. Fans and the media are watching to see if he can add a second Heisman to his trophy case.

His final numbers -- 17 of 32 for 301 yards, no touchdown passes, those two interceptions -- weren’t likely to aid the cause, not on a day when Reggie Bush dazzled and Texas quarterback Vince Young scored five times.

But the USC players said that, in the final minutes against Notre Dame, their quarterback might have accomplished something important.

“He showed his perseverance,” Byrd said. “He showed his toughness.”

With 7:28 remaining, completions to Smith, Dwayne Jarrett and Chris McFoy set up a nine-yard touchdown run by Bush and a 28-24 lead. When Notre Dame surged back, 31-28, Leinart came through once more, starting with that smile in the huddle.

There were two plays, in particular, on the way to the winning score.

The Trojans seemed all but dead, facing fourth and nine at their 26, when Leinart came to the line and, sensing a blitz, called an audible.

The change worked perfectly, Jarrett getting a step on a shorter defender down the sideline. But, Leinart said, “I actually thought I underthrew the ball.”

Much like his overall performance, the pass was just good enough, Jarrett making a tough catch and sprinting 61 yards for a first down.

Three plays later, on first and goal from the two-yard line, Leinart scrambled to his left and dived for the end zone. Hit short of the end zone, he fumbled.

“I saw the ball go flying,” Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski said. “I got a little excited, but it was obviously premature.”

The ball sailed out of bounds and, though the clock continued running down to 0:00, officials ruled that it should have stopped at seven seconds. Leinart hustled his offense to the line of scrimmage.

There was time enough for one more try. Time enough to make something good from a tough day.