USC Stripped of 2004 National Title
Written by Bob Whalon, Monday June 06 2011
There is no longer a BCS Champion for 2004. That's because the Bowl Championship Series stripped the University of Southern California of its 2004 title on Monday.
"The BCS arrangement crowns a national champion, and the BCS games are showcase events for postseason football," BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock said in a statement. "One of the best ways of ensuring that they remain so is for us to foster full compliance with NCAA rules. Accordingly, in keeping with the NCAA's recent action, USC's appearances are being vacated."
The announcement was seen as a formality after USC was hit with major sanctions last year for violations committed during the 2044 and 2005 seasons. The NCAA ruled that former USC tailback Reggie Bush received improper extra benefits during those two seasons and was therefore ineligible when he played in 2004 and 2005.
"The BCS alerted us today that their presidents have voted to vacate USC's 2005 BCS championship game victory," USC athletic director Pat Haden said. "This was not an unexpected outcome. We will comply with all requirements mandated by the result of this BCS vote."
The BCS was waiting for the NCAA to rule on USC's appeal of the original sanctions, which included the loss of 30 scholarships over three seasons and a two-year ban from postseason play. The NCAA denied USC's appeal on May 26.
USC, Auburn and Utah all finished the 2004 season undefeated, but USC defeated Oklahoma 55-19 in the BCS championship game at the Orange Bowl.
USC also finished the season ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll, but they will not have to relinquish their AP national championship.
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