Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

It was the highest-scoring Rose Bowl in the game’s 103-year history. Penn State couldn’t close it out.

This time, it was the No. 5 Nittany Lions who were on the other end of a monumental comeback as No. 9 USC rallied in the fourth quarter for an amazing 52-49 victory.

USC safety Leon McQuay picked off a floating Trace McSorley deep ball in the final minute and used a big return to set up a Matt Boermeester 46-yard field goal to stun the Lions and deny them a 10th straight win.

It came after the Lions (11-3) had scored touchdowns on seven straight drives to take the lead, including on four consecutive offensive plays bridging the second and third quarters.

The 101 total points in Pasadena were more than the Rams scored (89) in all eight home games in their first season back in Los Angeles.

QUARTERBACK: B

McSorley shook off an awful start as mistakes by receivers led to two early interceptions. And though he threw four touchdowns and ran in another himself, he got careless going for the win at the end, and a third interception cost Penn State the game. He finished with 254 yards but was ultimately outdueled by USC counterpart Sam Darnold.

RUNNING BACK: A

Saquon Barkley, given a full month to recover from a season of wear-and-tear, showed why he is one of the best running backs in the country by weaving from sideline-to-sideline through the USC defense on his game-changing 79-yard touchdown. He finished the day with 211 total yards and scored three times.

RECEIVER: A

If it ends up being Chris Godwin’s final game at Penn State, it was a heck of a way to go out. The junior broke multiple school bowl game records. finishing with nine catches for 187 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Mike Gesicki, who has announced his return for 2017, made a critical leaping touchdown catch before halftime to give the Lions the momentum.

OFFENSIVE LINE: B

Yes, McSorley again had to go on the move to escape pressure, but the undermanned and shorthanded Lions line also opened up some nice holes for Barkley, none nicer than on his first touchdown run, where he went untouched up the middle. Also credit Lake-Lehman’s Connor McGovern for a key fourth-quarter fumble recovery in view of replay cameras.

DEFENSIVE LINE: C

The pass rush struggled to get to USC quarterback Darnold, who was able to extend plays by running away from would-be tacklers. The run defense was better, but the Lions couldn’t answer coach James Franklin’s challenge of making stops in the first half. As it turned out, the Trojans didn’t have to punt until after halftime.

LINEBACKER: C

Penn State was without two starters in the suspended Manny Bowen and then Brandon Bell when the senior was injured on an interception return — what proved to be his final play for the Lions. Bell’s play was an enormous part of Penn State’s huge third quarter and the lone available starter, Jason Cabinda, made a handful of impressive plays.

SECONDARY: D

Darnold and USC’s excellent receivers caused problems all game long for Penn State, even when the coverage managed to keep up with them. Penn State rotated bodies to get a wide cast of characters involved with senior safety Malik Golden standing out the most with a couple big tackles and help in run support.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

What might have been a lousy day for the Lions — Miles Sanders misjudged the opening kickoff and USC’s Adoree’ Jackson nearly broke a few big ones — was redeemed by freshman punter Blake Gillikin, who averaged 50.8 yards per attempt. Tyler Davis had to handle kickoffs because of an apparent injury to Joey Julius.

— Derek Levarse

Southern California running back Ronald Jones II, left, celebrates with De’Quan Hampton, right, and Damien Mama after scoring during the second half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Penn State Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_AP17003081166290-1-201712213128154-1.jpg.optimal.jpgSouthern California running back Ronald Jones II, left, celebrates with De’Quan Hampton, right, and Damien Mama after scoring during the second half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Penn State Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)