ESPN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

USC quarterback Matt Leinart and Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka each returned for senior seasons. But not until they took out insurance policies. And it's for this reason. In the last two weeks, each has taken a cheap shot. Kiwanuka has knee and ankle injuries that figure to keep him out of Saturday's game against Wake Forest. Leinart had a concussion suffered in the Arizona State game. USC tailback Reggie Bush says: "They're doing whatever they can to get Matt out of the game." Leinart downplayed his concussion, saying: "It's football. It's a rough sport. You get hit. You get hit late. You get banged up."

'NO THANKS' TO REPLAY
If the USC at Notre Dame game comes down to a controversial play, there will be no instant replay. And that's just the way Trojans coach Pete Carroll wants it. Why? Carroll -- whose made the choice -- says he's old school. That he's always trusted officials and that he can't stand waiting on the sideline -- with his arms folded. Added Carroll: "I have never liked instant replay. Maybe I'm living in the past. I just don't like the way it affects the style and the rhythm of the game."

CELEBRITY LIFESTYLES
Asked if reports that ESPN's Nick Lachey had moved into his place were true, Matt Leinart said on a teleconference this week: "That's probably one of the stupidest things I've ever heard."

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