Young vs Leinart

Most of you have heard of Matt Leinart at some point in the last 6 years. He was an outstanding qb at the University of Southern California from ’03-05, winning the Heisman trophy in ’04. He had everything going for him, superior skills, Hollywood looks and charisma and was the ultimate winner. He compiled an amazing 35-1 record in his college career heading into his last game against underdog Texas in the BCS Championship.

And then came Vince Young….

At this time most of you have also heard the man-beast known as Vince Young. Not quite as accomplished a college qb as Leinart, Young started playing as a freshman sparingly at the University of Texas. By his sophomore year he was the full fledged starter and began compiling a 22-1 record utilizing his gifted athletic ability and became a Heisman trophy runner up in his junior year as well as vaulted the Texas Longhorns to a number 2 ranking in the country….Right behind the Matt Leinart led Trojans of Southern California.

The Bowl Championship Game in the Rose Bowl in 2006 was expected to be one of the most exciting in years. Play makers flooded the rosters of each team. Although, Texas had a powerful offense and a tough defense, the Trojans were touted as “the best team in college football history” leaving many experts to call for an almost certain loss by the Longhorns. It was to be the perfect topping on an outstanding sundae of a career for Leinart, one more championship before he rode off to the NFL.

At first, everything went according to plan in Pasadena’s Rose Bowl. The Trojans took advantage of an early fumble by Texas and scored the game’s first touchdown. But Texas would not go quietly and scored three consecutive times and wound up leading the favored Trojans by 6 at the end of the first half.

The second half was as exciting as any in all of college football. Texas and USC traded scores at will and with 6:42 left in the 4th quarter USC led 38-26. Matt Leinart could taste his victory….And then the legacy of Vince Young was born. He led to a the Longhorns offense to a fairly quick 69 yard touchdown drive capped off by his own 17yard run to bring the score to USC 38-TEX 33. After the ‘Horns defense stopped the Trojans ensuing drive on 4th down near mid-field with 2:09 left Young had one more opportunity to to win. After marching Texas to the 8yard line the offense faced a 4th down with 13 seconds to play. Young took the snap looked over the defense and sprinted past two defenders to the right corner of the end-zone…TOUCHDOWN!!

Afterward, pundits called this the greatest college football game ever played and the Vince Young touchdown one of the top five plays in its history.

After both heading to the NFL, many expected these two would go on to spectacular careers with many exhilarating games under their belt. Well, this hasn’t quite happened.

Vince Young, drafted by the Tennessee Titans started out like gangbusters. He took the NFL by storm, winning Rookie of the Year honors and taking his team to the playoffs in his first year. Defensive coordinators eventually caught up with his style of play and at the beginning of his third season he was benched, eventually giving way to graybeard qb Kerry Collins.

Leinart’s NFL experience has been even worse, he has started sporadically throughout his tenure as the Cardinals quarterback with very limited success when he’s given a chance to play. Last year, Leinart watched as 38 year old Kurt Warner guided Arizona to its first ever Super Bowl appearance. He’s been more popular in the tabloids for his partying then he has been in the Sunday recap of Sports sections.

This season started out no different for either qb. Stuck behind ageless qb’s they watched as their luster dissipated . But, after 6 straight losses to start the season for the Titans Vince Young was thrust into the starting role and responded with 4 consecutive victories. Leinart was given the chance to take over the reins of the offense while Warner was sidelined with a concussion.

In the most unlikely of scenarios theses two former heavyweights were matched-up once again to battle for victory…

While this match-up was not nearly as exciting as their previous, both qbs played well. Leinart proved he wasn’t just a turnover machine and finished the game without a interception or a fumble. On the other side, Young proved he wasn’t just a runner playing a thrower’s position and passed for a career high 387 yards.

With 2:37 left in the game Vince Young found himself down by 4 points and needing to go 99 yards for a touchdown to win the game. 17 plays later Young had the Titans on the Cardinals 11yard line with 1 second left in the game. Only a touchdown on that play could win the game.  Matt Leinart sensed a glitch in the Matrix…….

In the end Leinart could only shake his head at what had just transpired, again. Young on the other hand bounced around the field like a little kid celebrating his first touchdown…again.

-B Willie Cyclops