Reggie Bush Named USC's Most Valuable Player
December 14, 2004 | Football
Dec. 14, 2004
Los Angeles - USC All-American sophomore multi-purpose tailback Reggie Bush, who had 2,181 all-purpose yards while finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 2004, was named the Most Valuable Player of the top-ranked Orange Bowl-bound Trojan football team at the annual awards banquet Tuesday night (Dec. 15) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Bush also won USC's Jack Oakie "Rise and Shine" Award for the longest play (84-yard kickoff return versus California) and was USC's Co-Player of the Game versus UCLA after getting a career-best 335 all-purpose yards (with a career-high 204 on the ground, including TD runs of 81 and 65 yards). He shared that award with senior placekicker Ryan Killeen, who hit a school-record 5 field goals against the Bruins.
All-American linebackers Matt Grootegoed, a senior, and junior Lofa Tatupu shared USC's Most Inspirational Player Award. Tatupu also received the Bob Chandler Award and the Co-Lifter Award.
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart was named USC's Player of the Game versus Notre Dame for the second consecutive year after throwing for 400 yards and 5 touchdowns against the Irish.
Senior All-American defensive tackles Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson shared USC's Defensive Linemen of the Year award, while redshirt freshman offensive tackle Sam Baker was USC's Offensive Lineman of the Year. Redshirt freshman tailback Desmond Reed was USC's Special Teams Player of the Year.
A complete list of the awards:
• Most Valuable Player: tailback Reggie Bush
• Co-Most Inspirational Players: linebackers Matt Grootegoed and Lofa Tatupu
• Linemen of the Year: defensive tackles Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson (defense), offensive tackle Sam Baker (offense)
• Special Teams Player of the Year: tailback Desmond Reed
• Service Team Players of the Year: wide receiver Chris Bocage (offense), defensive tackle Fili Moala (defense)
• Co-Players of the Game versus UCLA: tailback Reggie Bush and placekicker Ryan Killeen
• Player of the Game versus Notre Dame: quarterback Matt Leinart
• Jack Oakie "Rise and Shine" Award (longest play of the year): tailback Reggie Bush (84-yard kickoff return versus California)
• Howard Jones/Football Alumni Club Academic Award (for overall academic achievement): safety Ryan Ting
• Bob Chandler Award (for the underclassman with outstanding athletic ability, academic achievement and character): linebacker Lofa Tatupu
• John McKay Award (for the underclassman with the most competitive spirit): linebacker Thomas Williams
• Courage Award: center Ryan Kalil
• Co-Lifters Award: linebacker Lofa Tatupu and defensive tackle Mike Patterson
• Team Captains: quarterback Matt Leinart, linebacker Matt Grootegoed and defensive tackle Shaun Cody
