This Rose Bowl Certainly Had It All: Excitement, Drama And Suspense!!

No Comments December 6, 2016 USC Football By John Stellman

It was a script written for Hollywood,

First, the pile of rubble that was left on the floor at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Alabama 52, USC 6.

The destruction by the Crimson Tide was devastating.

Scratching Their Heads

Historians will recall that it was the Trojan worst loss in half a century.

In 1966 Notre Dame humilated USC, 51-0.

But, as University of Southern California head coach Clay Helton succinctly pointed out:

“Obviously one game does not make a season. We played a very good team.

“They played to their potential. The cold hard truth is we did not play up to ours.”

Slow Starters

Actually, it wasn’t until their fifth game of the season that the Trojans finally figured it out.

The soluition?

Take the reins out of the hands of Matt Browne and hand them to Sam Darnold.

Browne lost two of his three starts.

Darnold lost his first. A last second defeat in rainy Salt Lake City.

Perfecto!

He hasn’t lost since.

Under Darnold’s direction, the Trojans clicked on all cylinders.

Their 41-20 thumping of Arizona State University was the beginning of an eight game winning streak.

Five weeks later USC went to Seattle to face the undefeated and fourth ranked University of Washington.

Not Anymore!

Final score: Trojans 26, Huskies 13.

USC concluded its season with comfortable wins over UCLA (36-14) and the Irish (45-27).

The 9-3 finish had the Trojans packing for a trip to The Lone Star State.

Texas Two Step?

It looked like either the Cotton Bowl or the Alamo Bowl.

Where would you rather spend the holidays, Dallas or San Antonio?

Ironically it was an adversary who would determine the Trojans destination.

So how’s this for a third option?

Staying at home and playing in your own backyard?

Thanks Huskies

Washington’s crushing 41-10 victory over Colorado in the PAC-12 championship game detoured USC to Pasadena,

The final College Football Playoff ranking leapfrogged the Trojans to ninth. one position ahead of the Buffaloes.

That USC beat Colorado 21-17 might have helped influence the panel.

Said CFP committee chair Kirby Hocutt: “Had they not lost three early games, (USC) probably would have been in consideration for the semifinals.”

Coming Up Roses

Instead, it would be the Trojans record 34th (almost always) New Year’s Day appearance in the Rose Bowl.

Their success in Pasadena is unparalleled: 25 wins, 8 losses.

The opponent is Big-10 champion Penn State.

Similar Paths

Ironically, the Nittany Lions journey to Southern California nearly mirrored that of the Trojans.

Penn State split their first four games before going on an unbeatable run.

Included in their nine game winning streak were victories over then No. 2 Ohio State, 24-21 and No. 6 Wisconsin, 38-31 in the Big 10 championship game.

Penn State Snubbed?

The Nittany Lions thought the deserved better. They believed they should have replaced Washington in the Final Four.

But that was then and this is now. Penn State has turned the page and moved on.

Said receiver Chris Godwin: “We’re just excited to enjoy this week and get a chance to play in the Rose Bowl.”

And play their hearts out the Nittany Lions did.

It was perhaps the most explosive, gut wrenching Rose Bowl game ever.

Drama Galore

The Trojans jumped to a quick 13-0 first quarter lead.

But Penn State stormed back, scoring touchdowns on seven consecutive drives during the second and third quarters to take a 49-35 lead into the final 15 minutes.

Yet their fourth quarter dominance – they’d outscored their opponents by 111 points – didn’t deter the Trojans.

Thrilling Comeback

With 8:15 remaining, sophomore running back Ronald Jones found the end zone from three yards away. 49-42.

Then with 1:58 remaining the Trojans took possession on their own 20 yard line.

Darnold, the red shirt freshmen quarterback who completed all 10 of his fourth quarter tosses for 153 yards, swiftly moved the Trojans 80 yards in just 38 seconds.

It culminated with a perfectly threaded 27-yard end zone strike between two defenders to sophomore Deontay Burnett. 49-49.

An interception by safety Leon McQuay III on Penn State’s ensuing drive set USC up at the Nittany Lions 33-yard line.

Photo Finish

And when Matt Boermeester’s 46-yard field goal split the uprights as time expired the celebration began before 95,218 witnesses.

USC 52, Penn State 49.

Darnold, who amassed a Rose Bowl record 473 total yards, was named Offensive Player Of The Game.

He completed 33 of 53 passes for 453 yards and five touchdowns.

Praise, Praise, Praise!

“We have a quarterback who plays at a super-duper level.

“He made it look like it was Aaron Rogers out there.

“Just another day at the office.

“He made it look effortless,” tailback Justin Davis said.

Calm, Cool Customer

Added wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, “Sam Darnold does things that are unbelievable.”

“I love the quiet confidence about him.

“You never saw his demeanor change tonight.

“It was an amazing game.

“It’s what fairy tales are made of,” offered Helton.

“It was like a movie,” defensive back Iman Marshall chimed in.

Complete with a Perfect Ending!

The Southern California News Group Contributed To This Article

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John Stellman

I was born with sports in my blood. I began coaching little league baseball at 15. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper. I did football play by play for the college radio station. I broadcast high school basketball for a local commercial station. But baseball was always my passion. During the 1970's I covered the Angels for the Orange County Register. And now I am back where I belong...