Although many people see the BCS as an unfair system, bowl games have always been entertaining to watch. As a Pac-12 fan, the Rose Bowl is a big game every year. From that bowl is where my favorite bowl memory comes from. The site was Pasadena, California. All eyes were on Penn St. and USC. It was Pete Carroll against the legendary Joe Paterno. Although scoring got off to a slow start, by halftime, USC lead Penn St. 31-7.
Late in the third quarter, Penn St was driving trying to cut into the twenty-four point Trojan lead. Daryll Clark, then Penn St quarterback, dropped back and zipped a pass right to Jordan Norwood on a 2nd and 7. The throw was right between Mays and Kevin Thomas, another Trojan defensive back. With Thomas covering Norwood one on one, Mays read the pass. He exploded toward the ball and PSU receiver. His hit to dislocate the ball gave him a flag. He knocked the ball out around USC’s 15 yard line. He also got a good hit on Thomas, knocking him to the ground. The flag was caused by helmet to helmet contact on Norwood. The hit sent the Nittany Lion to the turf and kept him there for a minute. The hit made the pro-USC stadium explode into excitement. Although it was flagged and USC would give up 15 yards because of it, it’s been known as one of the best plays by a USC defensive player.
USC would go on to win the 95th edition of the Rose Bowl by a final of 38-24. Powered by Mark Sanchez’s 5 total touchdowns, 162 yards receiving by Damian Williams, and two interceptions, USC would win its 3rd straight Rose Bowl game. The 24th Rose Bowl win for the Trojan football program capped off a 12-1 season. USC is not eligible to play in a postseason game this year. They will look to return to the granddaddy of them all in the 2012 season.
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