The Notre Dame football vs. USC rivalry is one of the best in college football. One reason it’s reached that stature is that there have been so many great games and great moments. Sometimes, those moments favor the Irish, and sometimes, they very much do not, such as one of the Top 25 plays to occur in the sport since 2000.
ESPN put together a list of the biggest plays in college football, and Irish vs. USC made it. The play in question was from 2005, when the Trojans visited South Bend for a clash between two top-10 teams.
'Bush Push' earns No. 14 spot as ESPN highlights college football’s most iconic plays since 2000
Known as the “Bush Push,” the play occurred late in the October contest, with USC trailing 31-28. Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart attempted a quarterback sneak but was initially stopped. However, running back Reggie Bush shoved Leinart in the chest, and he fell into the endzone to win the game.
The “Bush Push” was ranked as the No. 14 play on the list. It made it both because it allowed USC to continue its march to the national title and because it technically shouldn’t have been allowed.
“On its own, the 'Bush Push' of 2005 wasn't something to marvel at. With top-ranked USC trailing Notre Dame 31-28 with seven seconds left in South Bend, Indiana, Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart -- the reigning Heisman Trophy winner -- appeared to have been stopped short on a surprising quarterback sneak attempt, only for Reggie Bush to shove him in the chest, propelling him across the goal line. The push violated the NCAA rulebook, but was not penalized, giving USC a key win as it continued its march to the BCS National Championship game.”
That kind of play still makes Notre Dame football fans wince when they hear someone mention the Bush Push.