Bush, White reviving a USC tradition

LOS ANGELES -- The best two tailbacks in college football just might play for the same team. One, Reggie Bush, gets most of the attention. The other, LenDale White, probably doesn't get as much as he deserves.

Together, Bush and White have revived No. 1 Southern Cal's reputation as Tailback U, overshadowed in recent years by the dominance of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.

''We definitely like to pound it in there and score big touchdowns," Bush said.

USC's legacy of outstanding tailbacks began in 1965, when Mike Garrett won the Heisman. O.J. Simpson, Charles White, and Marcus Allen continued the tradition by being honored as college football's outstanding player, and Anthony Davis was another record-setting standout.

''This is Tailback U, still," White said, citing Desmond Reed, Michael Coleman, Hershel Dennis, and Chauncey Washington as talented backups awaiting opportunities.

Bush and White share playing time amicably, helped no doubt by being part of USC's back-to-back national championship teams and the Trojans' current 26-game victory streak.

The junior tailbacks are 29-1 in their careers heading into tomorrow's game against Arizona at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Either Bush or White has scored a touchdown in USC's last 28 games, including 14 times when both scored.

In USC's last two games -- both comeback victories against ranked opponents Oregon and Arizona State on the road -- Bush and White each ran for 100-plus yards, making them the first USC pair to accomplish such a feat in consecutive games since 1977.

Each has carried 57 times, with Bush gaining 491 yards and White 437. Bush has a team-leading eight touchdowns, White has six.