NEW YORK, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart was named winner Saturday of the 70th Heisman Trophy.
Leinart became the sixth Trojan to win the Heisman, and the second in three years. Quarterback Carson Palmer took the award in 2002. The other Southern California Heisman winners were all running backs -- Mike Garrett (1965), O.J. Simpson (1968), Charles White (1979), and Marcus Allen (1981).
The Trojan junior signal-caller is 251-of-377 for 2,990 yards with 28 touchdowns and six interceptions. Leinart has also run for three TDs this season.
Leinart beat out teammate Reggie Bush, and two Oklahoma Sooners -- quarterback Jason White, who was last year's Heisman Trophy winner, and freshman running back Adrian Peterson. The fifth finalist was Utah quarterback Alex Smith.
Leinart received 267 first-place votes and 1,325 total points, Second-place Peterson had 154 first-place votes and 997 points.
White finished third in his bid to become the second multi-Heisman winner.
