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Panthers not overlooking Bush
Rob Biertempfel is the Pirates beat writer. He can be reached via e-mail. Also check out Biertempfel's blog, Pirates Q&A or follow him on Twitter.
"He doesn't fly underneath my radar, not with 800-some yards on the season," Panthers defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said.
"The tailback position is averaging 200 yards a game, and he leads them with 116. He's big, he's fast, he runs over you. Even if they're passing for over 300 (yards), you'd better be able to control that run game if you're going to have a chance."
Bush, a junior, is the Big East's leading rusher in his first season as a starter. In fact, he was not even a full-time tailback until last year.
"He's still kind of learning the position," Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm said. "He's such a great athlete; he can do just about anything."
In high school, Bush played receiver, defensive back, linebacker, defensive end and quarterback. But he never lined up as a running back until he arrived at Louisville.
"The transition was kind of difficult," Bush said. "At first, I wasn't used to all the pounding you take as a running back. But the more repetitions I got, the easier it became for me."
It's hard to believe a guy with a 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame would be worried about absorbing some contact. Then again, Bush had gotten used to dodging hits as a quarterback.
Now, Bush is not afraid to lower the boom when he's carrying the ball. Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt compared Bush to Steelers running back Jerome Bettis.
"(Bush) is a little better athlete than people give him credit for," Wannstedt said. "He is not a straight-line guy. He can make some people miss."
Bush smiled when told of Wannstedt's comparison, although he did not entirely agree with it.
"I like Jerome a lot, but I think he's more of a bruiser," Bush said. "Because I'm a big guy, people think I'm a bruiser, too. But, anytime I can be compared to somebody who's in the NFL, it feels good -- especially if it's coming from somebody who's coached in the NFL. That feels real good."
Through seven games, Bush has rushed for 813 yards and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He leads the nation in scoring (16.29 points per game) and rushing touchdowns (18).
Bush has scored at least two touchdowns in every game this season. He is three rushing TDs shy of shattering the school's single-season record.
At his current pace, Bush is set to become Louisville's first 1,000-yard rusher since 1999.
"He's a top-five back, in my opinion," Pitt linebacker H.B. Blades said. "He's a big guy, so he's looking to run you over. He has 4.5 speed, and he weighs 260 pounds -- that speaks for itself."
On passing plays, it's not unusual for Bush to stay home and block. He's a key piece of the brick wall that surrounds Brohm, who has been sacked a Big East-low nine times this year.
A former wideout, Bush has gotten into the act with the Cardinals' pass attack. He is fifth on the team with 16 receptions for 186 yards -- numbers that compare to those of Pitt tight end Darrell Strong (13 catches, 196 yards) and wideout Joe DelSardo (13, 137).
"He's a big back who has surprisingly quick feet," Brohm said. "He's good at seeing the hole and hitting it hard. He gets the short yardage, and he can break the long runs. We use him a lot in our passing game. He's a great help to me back there."
