USC NOTEBOOK: HEISMAN HOPEFULS KEEP VLOGGING AWAY.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

In 2004, Matt Leinart got all the Heisman hype. For 2005 tailback Reggie Bush is part of a major promotional effort by USC for the most famous award in college football. This season Bush and Leinart are compiling a weekly video log available for viewing over the Internet.

Bush was surprised to learn Monday that fans wanting to watch he and Leinart on USC's Web site will soon have to pay $9.95 per month to do so.

``I hope I get a cut,'' Bush joked.

When asked about the vlog, Bush said: ``I probably wouldn't buy it.

``I haven't even watched it yet. I'm just doing it.''

It's doubtful Bush and Leinart's video diary is more interesting than their exploits on the field, especially during Sunday night's scrimmage. Leinart recognized Bush was covered by a linebacker on a fourth-down play and immediately changed the call, resulting in a 36-yard touchdown pass to Bush.

``You'll see lots of that during the season,'' Bush said. ``It's about recognizing the mismatch and seeing a chance to score a touchdown.''

USC coach Pete Carroll said Leinart's ability to read defenses makes the offense the most difficult he's coached against in five years with the Trojans.

``Matt is really, really commanding,'' Carroll said. ``By far, it's the toughest offense we've gone against. Matt's input on the quarterback position is going help us for a long time.''

--Double duty: Freshman linebacker Brian Cushing wore a protective boot on his right foot Monday to take pressure off a sore Achilles, but it's understandable because he's practicing with the first- and third-unit defenses.

With starter Dallas Sartz still out with a hip pointer, Cushing is getting more snaps than any other freshmen and would probably start if the season began today.

``If the season started tomorrow, I think I'd be OK,'' Cushing said. ``It's something I wanted, but actually truthfully thinking it would happen? Probably not. A lot of schools told me I would start but I came here to compete.''

Cushing even tried a stint at middle linebacker during Monday's practice, where Oscar Lua is currently starting, but Cushing prefers the outside.

``I tried to learn a little bit today and it was tough,'' Cushing said.

--Coleman hospitalized: Freshman Michael Coleman was hospitalized Sunday night after suffering headaches and was diagnosed with strep throat. Doctors feared he might have meningitis and considered a spinal tap before determining it was strep throat.

Coleman returned to campus Monday, but he's been out with a hip injury and is still three to four weeks away from practicing.

--Radovich out: Offensive lineman Drew Radovich, who pinched a nerve in his spine, said results of an MRI were negative but he would undergo further testing on his neck this week. He remains unable to play.

--Still fighting: Defensive tackle Walker Lee Ashley is appealing a grade in a high-school class in an attempt to get certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse but is still considered unlikely to gain eligibility.

--Dept. of corrections: Freshman defensive end Kyle Moore said he actually sacked the quarterback four times in last week's scrimmage despite only being credited for three.

``I touched the quarterback but they didn't give me the sack,'' Moore said. ``But my coach (Jethro Franklin) credited me with it on the film.''

Moore picked up another sack when he got to Leinart during Sunday's scrimmage.

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com