White leads'04 USC over '03 LSU, 30-16

The 2003 NCAA football championship ended in a draw, the LSU Tigers claiming the BCS title while the USC Trojans claimed the AP title. Obviously this led to valid questioning about the process in determining a national champ and raised doubts that the powers that be deciding which team takes the title knew what they were doing.

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So what better than a first round fantasy matchup pitting the ’03 BCS champ Tigers vs. ’04 BCS champ USC. Virtually identical rosters pitted against each other in a quest to determine which school really would prevail.

As expected, a matchup of two such equally matched teams produced a close contest for much of the game. USC took a 14-10 lead into halftime, LSU scored in the third quarter to bring it to LSU 16-14, and then the Trojans put up a couple of late touchdowns to seal the deal and win 30-16.

The final score was a 45 yard LenDale White run through the gut of the LSU defense, which effectively ended the Tigers’ hopes of matching on to the quarterfinals of the tourney.

The Tigers had some outstanding performances, notably TB Justin Vincent’s 33 rushes for 158 yards, WR Devery Henderson’s 7 reception, 100 yard effort and WR Skyler Green snagged 6 passes for 65 yards and both of LSU’s touchdowns.

QB Matt Mauck was 15 of 32 for 207 yards and the two touchdowns to Green, but threw 3 picks that proved costly.

2004 Heisman winner Matt Leinart finished the day 24 of 40 for 255 yards, two TDs and two interceptions, WR Steve Smith had 10 receptions for 131 yards and two scores and LB Matt Grootegoed added two sacks and two crucial interceptions. Ultimately, the day belonged to LenDale White, who was named the game’s MVP and looks to run over the 2005 Texas Longhorns next.

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