Instead of fretting a loss to Oregon State, perhaps USC fans should instead look back at the number of times the Trojans could have lost but didn’t simply because of Reggie Bush.
The Stanford game in the 2004 unbeaten season is a prime example, with Bush’s 33-yard zig-zagging punt return setting up the winning touchdown in a 31-28 victory. He also scored a touchdown on a 17-yard run in the first half.
That same year, USC held off UCLA 29-24 with Bush gaining 204 yards and touchdown runs of 65-and-81 yards.
USC coach Pete Carroll did not deny Bush erased a lot of shortcomings on Sunday night.
“We were so dynamic offensively it made up for problems,” Carroll said. “A lot of it was Reggie.”