USC Forced to Vacate National Championship Win over OU

Originally Published: Jun 10, 2010 3:20 PM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

The University of Southern California has received a two-year postseason ban and has must forfeit its 2005 BCS title game victory over the University of Oklahoma as a result of numerous penalties announced by the NCAA Thursday.

A four-year NCAA investigation yielded a 67-page report in which the programs violations are thoroughly detailed. That report can be read in full here.

The NCAA cited USC for a lack of institutional control, particularly as it applied to its football and basketball programs and the handling of former Trojans Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo.

Bush, a Heisman Trophy-winning tailback, was found to be ineligible beginning at least by December 2004. As a result, USC must vacate any wins that Bush appeared in.

That includes a 55-19 win over OU in the 2005 Orange Bowl. The BCS announced later Thursday that USC's win will be vacated, but OU will not be awarded a national championship victory.

His Heisman Trophy may also come into question. That season, Vince Young of Texas finished second in the voting and Bush's teammate Matt Leinart finished third.

"I have a great love for the University of Southern California and I very much regret the turn that this matter has taken, not only for USC, but for the fans and players," Bush said in a statement released Thursday morning.

"If the University decides to appeal, I will continue to cooperate with the NCAA and USC, as I did during the investigation. In the meantime, I will continue to focus on making a positive impact for the University and for the community where I live."

The school will also forfeit 30 scholarships - 10 per year - from 2011-13.

USC, long considered a football powerhouse in the Pac-10 conference, saw its former head coach Pete Carroll bolt for a job as head coach of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks over the offseason.

New coach Lane Kiffin will be forced to steer the program through turbulent times, including the possibility of major conference realignment.