FOOTBALL

USC’S BUSH GOES PRO Reggie Bush is skipping his senior season at Southern California to enter the NFL draft. The Heisman Trophy winner made the expected announcement yesterday, a day after running mate LenDale White made his decision to leave early and turn pro.

Bush is expected to be one of the first players taken in the draft – with many projecting him going to the Houston Texans with the no. 1 pick. The electrifying running back had 1,740 yards rushing and 2,890 all-purpose yards this season for the Trojans, who fell short of an unprecedented third national title when they lost to Texas in the Rose Bowl. Bush, who turns 21 in March, averaged an amazing 8.7 yards per carry. He also caught 37 passes for 478 yards and led the nation in all-purpose yards with 222.3 per game.

LOUISVILLE’S BUSH TO RETURN FOR SENIOR SEASON Running back Michael Bush, the nation’s leading scorer, will skip the NFL draft and return to Louisville for his senior season. Bush ran for 1,143 yards on 205 carries and rushed for 23 touchdowns. He also caught one touchdown pass. He had 1,396 all-purpose yards for an average 139.6 per game, despite missing two games with a sprained foot.

PACKERS HIRE MCCARTHY AS HEAD COACH Mike McCarthy was hired yesterday as coach of the Green Bay Packers, who hope the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator can revive a team coming off its worst season in 15 years. Mc-Carthy, a former Packers assistant, received a three-year deal. He replaces Mike Sherman, who was fired January 2 after a 4-12 season.

The 42-year-old McCarthy spent last season as the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator and was the Packers’ quarterbacks coach in 1999 – a forgettable 8-8 season under Ray Rhodes. Brett Favre struggled in his only year with McCarthy, throwing 23 interceptions to 22 touchdowns. Favre has not committed to playing next season, and has hinted that the team’s off-season moves would play a role in his decision.

MULARKEY RESIGNS IN BUFFALO Mike Mularkey submitted his resignation to the Buffalo Bills yesterday, a person familiar with discussions between the coach and the team told the Associated Press. The Bills will formally announce the coach’s resignation during a press conference scheduled for this morning. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the official announcement had not been made.

TENNIS

RODDICK DRAWS SECOND SEED AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN Andy Roddick was seeded second at the Australian Open on yesterday, avoiding heavy favorite Roger Federer unless both make the final. With no. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal sidelined because of a foot injury, most interest focused on which man would be seeded second and assured of playing on the opposite side of the draw from Federer. Roddick is ranked no. 3 and moved up a spot in the seeding.

Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt, who lost in the final season, was seeded third, followed by Masters Cup winner David Nalbandian and Nikolay Davydenko.

Defending champion Marat Safin withdrew because of a left knee problem and four-time winner Andre Agassi is out with an ankle problem.

All of the women’s top 10 are expected in Melbourne, with top-ranked Lindsay Davenport seeded no. 1, U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters at no. 2, WTA Championship winner Amelie Mauresmo at no.3,Maria Sharapova at no.4,and Mary Pierce, the 1995 Australian Open winner, at no. 5. French Open champion Justin Henin-Hardenne, who won the 2004 Australian Open, was seeded eighth. Venus Williams is seeded no. 10 and younger sister and defending champion Serena Williams is no. 13.

– Associated Press