Leinart-Quinn rematch in $50K tuition contest conjures bust jokes, Bush Push memories

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By , Audacy

Fox football analysts Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn reprised a famed duel from their college days for a couple of incoming university students.

The college football greats on Saturday faced off in Fox's annual Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway contest, which awards $50,000 to the winner for the purpose of paying college bills.

The event, which pits two contestants throwing a series of footballs through a narrow opening on a giant inflatable Dr. Pepper can, usually features two students playing on behalf of themselves.

This year, however, it was held with Leinart and Quinn as stand-ins, owing to the virus.

Neither broadcaster particularly distinguished himself in the competition, which ended in a tie -- and both students receiving a winner's check for $50 grand.

The underwhelming performance prompted a variety of jokes from those who were watching.

For many it conjured memories of the so-called "Bush Push," the infamous game-deciding play -- in which Reggie Bush appeared to shove Leinart over the goal line for a touchdown on a QB dive -- that sent USC to a narrow win over Notre Dame in their classic 2005 matchup in South Bend.

For many others, the absurd stunt underscored the insanity of having a major financial break potentially coming down to an arbitrary competition headed up by a pair of players whose careers ended in relative disappointment.

Both Leinart and Quinn have made a relatively successful transition to the booth following disappointing pro careers.

Leinart, who won the 2004 Heisman Trophy and was drafted 10th overall by the Cardinals in 2006, was finished as a starter after two seasons in Arizona. He later served as a backup with the Texans and Raiders before retiring in 2012. Quinn had even less success in the NFL, retiring in 2012 after stints with the Browns and Chiefs.

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