The Oregonian: Carroll says wins, not Heisman, is USC's focus

Friday, November 11, 2005

KEN GOE

The way most Heisman Trophy forecasters see it, USC has two of this year's top three candidates in 2004 winner Matt Leinart and tailback Reggie Bush.  And Trojan tailback LenDale White would make a pretty good longshot choice -- not that coach Pete Carroll or the USC publicists are paying attention.  The Trojans aren't going to promote any candidate or lobby any voters.  "The one thing we ain't doing, we ain't campaigning for anybody," Carroll said. "We're going to try to win football games, and then it happens."  USC quarterbacks have won two of the past three Heisman Trophies -- Leinart and Carson Palmer in 2002.  "I don't think it has anything to do with hype," Carroll said. "It has to do with how you win. When you win and you're on the team and you're a good player, you get recognized. That's been obvious. I've learned that since I've been here."  Right now, Texas quarterback Vince Young and Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn are other players considered frontrunners. Either Leinart or Bush could take a big step forward this week when the Trojans (9-0, 6-0) play at California (6-3, 3-3) Saturday in a 12:30 p.m. game.  Carroll is more concerned about winning the game. The last time the Trojans visited Memorial Stadium they fell to Cal in triple overtime, 34-31 in 2003. USC hasn't lost since. The Heisman?  "How do we deal with it?" Carroll asked rhetorically. "We don't deal with it. We just play. The guys' play speaks for itself. The media that follows our season and our games, they've done their work. These guys are well known and deserving of the attention."