No. 1 USC 31 ... No. 2 Utah 21
Orange Bowl, Miami FlMatt Leinart threw two touchdown passes and LenDale White ran for two short scores to win Ultimate National Title VII over a plucky Utah team that had to fight an uphill battle.
The Utes outgained the Trojans 487 yards to 420 but wasn't able show much for it continually pinned deep by USC punter Tom Malone who put five kicks inside the 17.
Utah got on the board first with a three-yard Marty Johnson touchdown run set up by a 57-yard Steve Savoy run off a reverse. The Ute defense held tough in the first half only allowing a 38-yard field goal and forcing two turnovers.
Leinart heated up in the second quarter with two long passes to Dwayne Jarrett and a 14-yard strike to Steve Smith to give the Trojans a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Malone also got hot with punts on the Utah six and 11 yard lines.
"Everyone knows about our offense, the defense has received more than its share of credit, and Reggie Bush has highlighted our special teams," said USC head coach Pete Carroll. "But when our kicking game is working, it's as good as any in America. Tom had a phenomenal game and bailed us out of some horrible situations."
While Malone's accuracy was featured, his most important kick, a 69-yard bomb, came late in the first half after the USC offense stalled on its own 14 with 1:16 to play. The Utes weren't able to score as the Trojans took a 10-7 lead into the locker room.
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"With a quarterback like they have and an explosive offense, Malone saved us at least three points," said Carroll. "Our defense wasn't having its best night, but it's hard to score when you're starting as deep as they were."
USC took the opening drive of the second half 68 yards in 13 plays as White, who had 51 rushing yards on the drive, powered his way for a two-yard score and a 17-7 lead.
Utah would answer with an impressive drive of its own going 72 yards in only five plays finishing with a five-yard Alex Smith bootleg for a touchdown.
USC's offense was having problems in the face of a fired up Utah defense, but the Utes had a hard time taking advantage starting late third quarter drives on its 17 and five-yard lines. The bad field position saved USC able to start at midfield leading to a three play drive getting a 31-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett with :31 to play in the third quarter.
A big kickoff return allowed the Utes room to breathe, and Smith took advantage with a seven-play, 58-yard drive and a six-yard touchdown pass to Paris Warren for to close the gap to 24-21 with 10:19 to play.
"We had them in trouble," said Utah head coach Urban Meyer. "We had all of the momentum and it felt like we were still in the game after the lousy field position. But there's a reason Matt Leinart won the Heisman and he was incredible when he had to be."
Leinart, who finished the game completing 16 of 32 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions, went 6-of-6 on the ensuing drive highlighted by a 14-yard pass to Smith after breaking free from what appeared to be a sure sack on third down.
"Our guys were there and we had the drive stopped," said Meyer. "Great players make great plays, and that was the one that changed the game."
A 16-yard pass to Dominique Byrd down to the one set up one-yard White score. Utah went three and out on the ensuing drive, but got the ball back one more time. Unfortunately for the Utes, Malone put his kick on the Utah nine with 1:53 to play. The final Ute drive stalled on its own 41 and USC was able to run out the clock.
"We've come so close the last few years that to finally win this is incredible," said Carroll. "We beat a very good team today. We're very fortunate to get out of this alive."
Player of the Game - USC P Tom Malone punted seven times averaging 48.4 yards per kick putting five inside the 20
Fun Stat - Average starting field position: USC its own 39 - Utah its own 20
