After winning 383 football games and 23 bowl games-both records-Penn State coach Joe Paterno sat quietly in the press box, nursing his hip problems. A camera caught him slowly shaking his head as Southern California went up 31-7 on his Nittany Lions in the BCS Rose Bowl New Year's Day (1-1-09).
No one had to tell the 82-year-old coaching legend and Pennsylvania icon that this was not Happy Valley. The final 38-24 score belied what actually took place-No. 5-ranked USC convincingly decimated a proud and successful No. 6-ranked Penn State team that had come into the BCS Rose Bowl with a Big Ten title and an 11-1 record.
And that is why, more than any other reason, the 83-year-old Penn State coach will be on the sidelines next season, Lord willing and the creek don't rise. JoePa lives to compete. The Saturday afternoon excitement and the feel of autumn wakes him up in the morning and puts him to sleep at night.
Does Joe Paterno think USC is as good as any other team in the country? Only a nascent homer or a fool would say no.
So this needs to be said loud and clear right now: Pete Carroll's University of California Trojans have . . .
1) Won 7 straight Pac-10 Championships, a record.
2) Played in 7 straight BCS Bowl Games, a record.
3) Won 3 consecutive Rose Bowl Games, a record.
4) Won 11 or more games for 7 straight seasons, a record.
5) Won 6 of 7 big games, going 5-0 against Big Ten teams such as Penn State.
6) Won 82 games and lost only 9 since Carroll's 2nd year on the job.
Did they wipe the field with Penn State? Yes. They scored 31 points on 5 straight possessions in the 1st half, the most USC has scored in any of its record 33 Rose Bowl games. The Trojans racked up 27 first downs and 474 yards of offense.
Junior quarterback Mark Sanchez completed 28-of-35 for 413 yards and 4 touchdowns and ran for a 5th touchdown. And guess what? He's thinking of going into the NFL Draft rather than return for his senior year; it's hardly a surprise.
Damian Williams caught a career-high 10 passes for 162 yards and a TD. Ronald Johnson caught 2 TD passes. Kaluka Maiava was the Top Defensive Player, becoming the 3rd straight USC linebacker to win the award.
In its 3rd game this year, USC traveled to Oregon State and lost 27-21. Then the Trojans reeled off 10 straight victories, outscoring opponents 380 to 80 with the No. 1 defense in the country. The Trojans are playing like a national championship team but they are not the national champion this year. Maybe next year.
Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley
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