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Bush propels Saints past Falcons

Oct 21, 2007 - 10:54 PM NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- Reggie Bush displayed both power and speed to propel the New Orleans Saints to their second straight victory.

Bush bulled his way in for a touchdown from 4 yards out and then took an end-around and raced into the end zone for the conversion as the Saints defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 22-16, on Sunday.

Held in check throughout much of the day, Bush took a quick swing pass from Drew Brees and powered his way around cornerback Lewis Sanders with a second-effort lunge at the goal line.

"How about Reggie Bush today?" Saints linebacker Scott Fujita said. "That was unbelievable. You hear about all the crap he's taken from people for not being able to run downhill and all these different things. That guy competes more than many people I've seen in this league.

"And (Bush), he's impressive. His leg drive - he did it a few times carrying the pile last year. But that play, there was no chance he wasn't going to score on that. And to come back on the two-point conversion and get in the way he did - that was unbelievable. I'm glad he's on my team, that's for sure."

The 4-yard score capped an 11-play, 69-yard drive with just over five minutes remaining in the game.

"That was a play we run a lot. We were just trying to catch the defense off guard," Bush said. "I didn't know I was going to get away (from Sanders). I just kept fighting and kept my feet moving. I just refused to go down."

Bush, who finished with 54 yards on 17 carries, raced in for the two-point conversion to cap the scoring.

The Falcons moved as far as the New Orleans 48-yard line on the ensuing possession, but punted with 1:48 remaining and three timeouts to use. Atlanta never got the ball back, thanks to Bush running seven yards for a first down with 1:36 remaining.

Morten Andersen kicked three field goals - the final one from 21 yards - to give the Falcons a 16-14 lead with 10:19 remaining in the fourth quarter. He also hit from 38 and 33 yards.

Byron Leftwich was 15-of-23 for 145 yards and a touchdown in his first start with the Falcons. His 9-yard scoring strike to Roddy White capped a seven-play, 44-yard drive to give the Falcons a 13-7 lead in the second quarter.

Leftwich, however, did not finish the game. He injured his right ankle in the third quarter after getting hit by Saints defensive end Will Smith. Leftwich has missed 15 games due to injuries over the last two seasons.

After the game, Leftwich answered two questions from the media, then departed when asked to comment on his frustrating, injury-filled career.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't do this," said Leftwich, who was on crutches.

Falcons coach Bobby Petrino was unable to give more detail on Leftwich's condition.

"We were playing well when Byron was in there. I was happy with the way he was performing," Petrino said. "We just didn't make enough plays in the fourth quarter to win the game."

Joey Harrington, who was benched after leading the Falcons to their one win, replaced Leftwich and had moderate success.

Harrington finished 12-of-18 for 128 yards, but was unable to prevent the Falcons (1-6) from absorbing their third straight defeat.

The Saints (2-4) opened the scoring when Brees rolled out and found Devery Henderson for a 37-yard touchdown to give the Saints a 7-0 lead with 7:16 remaining in the first quarter.

After a pair of field goals and Leftwich's touchdown pass gave the Falcons a 13-7 lead, the Saints responded quickly.

Rookie Pierre Thomas took his first carry of the game 24 yards for a touchdown to give New Orleans a 14-13 advantage. It was Thomas' second NFL touchdown; the first was a 5-yard return of a fumbled punt snap at Seattle last week.

Both teams wasted opportunities.

The Saints couldn't score on their first possession after Lance Moore's 48-yard punt return to the Atlanta 41.

The Falcons recovered their onside kick after their second field goal, but punted five plays later. New Orleans also moved inside the Atlanta 35 in the closing moments of the first half, but Demorrio Williams intercepted Brees to end the threat.