CSTV.com: Matt Leinart Named Pac-10 Offensive Player Of The Week

He becomes third Trojan offensive player honored by Pac-10 this year. 

USC quarterback Matt Leinart was named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week following his performance against Stanford.  In the Trojans' 55-21 win against the Cardinal, Leinart hit a season-best 78.6% of his passes (22-of 28) for 259 yards and 4 TDs with no interceptions in before coming out after USC's first series of the second half . He was 20-of-25 for 245 yards with the 4 TDs at halftime.  He currently is first nationally in passing efficiency (170.5, first in Pac-10) and 10th in total offense (311.4, second in Pac-10). His completions, passing yardage, completion percentage, touchdown passes and passing efficiency rating in 2005 are way better than his 9-game numbers from his 2004 Heisman Trophy season. He is 34-1 as a USC starter. His 94 career touchdown passes are a Pac-10 and USC record (eighth on the NCAA list). He ranks second on the Trojan career total offense list (9,575, seventh on the Pac-10 chart), as well as second on the USC all-time lists for passing yardage (9,649, eighth on the Pac-10 ladder) and completions (715). His career completion percentage of 65.0% is better than Rob Johnson's USC record (64.6%, 1991-94).

In his last 3 games of 2005, he has completed 75.0% of his passes (66-of-88) for 824 yards, 11 TDs and just 1 interception. He has thrown at least 1 TD in all but 3 of the 35 games he has started (including the first 24) and at least 2 TDs in all but 4 games (he had a string of at least 2 TDs in 15 consecutive games). He also has thrown at least 3 TDs 19 times in his career (6 times in 2005) and at least 4 TDs 10 times, including 5 TDs on 3 occasions. His career passing efficiency mark of 163.1 is third on the NCAA list, 2 spots above his current quarterbacks coach, Steve Sarkisian (who was at 162.0 at BYU, 1995-96). He has thrown for at least 300 yards in 11 games in his career (6 in 2005), including once for 400-plus yards. He has thrown for at least 200 yards in 32 career games, a Pac-10 record.  Leinart is the third Trojan offensive player to earn Pac-10 Player of the Week honors this season, joining tailbacks Reggie Bush (honored twice) and LenDale White.