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USC vs. Penn State

Monday, January 2, 2017, Rose Bowl

No. 9 USC beat No. 5 Penn State 52–⁠49. It was their 10th meeting; after it, USC led the series 6–⁠4.

Neutral site9USC10–⁠3 in 2016
52
Neutral site5Penn State11–⁠3 in 2016
49

Final at Rose Bowl, PasadenaTV: ESPN, ESPNRMAttendance 95,128Payout $35 million to each team (Wikipedia)College GameDay broadcast from here, January 2, 2017 (Wikipedia)

MVPs Sam Darnold (QB, USC); Stevie Tu’ikolovatu (DT, USC)Wikipedia

At kickoff
57°F, partly cloudy, wind 6 mph from the southeastWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; El Monte Airport (KEMT), 15 km from the stadium, 15 minutes before kickoff
Officials
Referee Duane Heydt; umpire Jim Eckl; head linesman Tracy Lynch; line judge Richard Misner; side judge Tony Tarantini; field judge Wayne Rundell; back judge Jacques Hooper; center judge Tyrone AndersonGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
USC131481752
Penn State02128049

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Photos from the game

  • 2017 Rose Bowl
    2017 Rose BowlPhoto: Jack on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • USC vs. Penn State, 2016
    Photo: Spatms, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • USC vs. Penn State, 2016
    Photo: Spatms, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • USC vs. Penn State, 2016
    Photo: Spatms, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

From the game’s category on Wikimedia Commons, free licenses only, each credited.

Player stats

USC

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Sam Darnold33/5345351
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Ronald Jones II205517
Justin Davis643024
Sam Darnold520013
Adoree’ Jackson2202
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Deontay Burnett13164332
JuJu Smith-Schuster7133136
Darreus Rogers542113
Jalen Greene128028
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Stevie Tu’ikolovatu8000
Leon McQuay III7001
Rasheem Green5110
Adoree’ Jackson4001
Iman Marshall2001

Penn State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Trace McSorley18/2925443
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Saquon Barkley25194279
Trace McSorley61315
Andre Robinson1404
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Chris Godwin9187272
Saquon Barkley555117
Mike Gesicki111111
DeAndre Thompkins2908
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Jason Cabinda11000
Marcus Allen9000
Malik Golden7100
Grant Haley7000
Brandon Bell1001

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

USCPenn State
575Total yards465
453Passing yards254
122Rushing yards211
8.4Yards per pass8.8
3.6Yards per rush6.4
33First downs23
8–⁠15Third downs4–⁠10
0–⁠0Fourth downs0–⁠0
1Turnovers3
10–⁠85Penalties5–⁠65
33:21Possession26:39
1Sacks (by defense)0

Efficiency

USCPenn State
51%Success rate44%
0.24EPA per play0.24
1.20Explosiveness1.82
−0.09Rushing EPA0.23
0.47Passing EPA0.24
45%Passing-down success40%
0.17First-down EPA0.25
0.14Second-down EPA0.20
0.68Third-down EPA0.28
18%Havoc by its defense9%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

USC 56% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

USC −6.5, over/under 59.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were USC 67%, Penn State 33%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

The money

The Rose Bowl was put on by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, a nonprofit. Its IRS Form 990 for the year to April 2017, which takes in this game, reports $96.6 million in revenue and $95.2 million in expenses.

From the organization’s IRS Form 990, via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and the IRS’s e-file data. Payments are the grants it lists on Schedule I of that return. See every filing at ProPublica (EIN 95-1725190).

Every drive

Penn State end zoneUSC end zoneQ1 Penn StateInterception, 1 playQ1 USCMissed FG, 4 playsQ1 Penn StateInterception, 4 playsQ1 USCTouchdown, 5 playsQ1 Penn StatePunt, 3 playsQ1 USCField goal, 12 playsQ1 Penn StatePunt, 3 playsQ1 USCField goal, 10 playsQ1 Penn StateTouchdown, 9 playsQ2 USCTouchdown, 5 playsQ2 Penn StateTouchdown, 4 playsQ2 USCTouchdown, 6 playsQ2 Penn StateTouchdown, 13 playsQ2 USCTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ3 USCPunt, 3 playsQ3 Penn StateTouchdown, 1 playQ3 USCPunt, 4 playsQ3 Penn StateTouchdown, 1 playQ3 USCInterception, 2 playsQ3 Penn StateTouchdown, 1 playQ3 USCTouchdown, 10 playsQ3 Penn StateTouchdown, 8 playsQ3 USCPunt, 5 playsQ4 Penn StateFumble, 3 playsQ4 USCTouchdown, 10 playsQ4 Penn StatePunt, 3 playsQ4 USCPunt, 4 playsQ4 Penn StatePunt, 5 playsQ4 USCTouchdown, 3 playsQ4 Penn StateInterception, 3 playsQ4 USCField goal, 3 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Penn State drives left to right, USC right to left.
  1. Q1 Penn StateInterception, 1 play, 0 yards
  2. Q1 USCMissed FG, 4 plays, 2 yards
  3. Q1 Penn StateInterception, 4 plays, 27 yards
  4. Q1 USCTouchdown, 5 plays, 51 yards
  5. Q1 Penn StatePunt, 3 plays, 0 yards
  6. Q1 USCField goal, 12 plays, 53 yards
  7. Q1 Penn StatePunt, 3 plays, 9 yards
  8. Q1 USCField goal, 10 plays, 54 yards
  9. Q1 Penn StateTouchdown, 9 plays, 70 yards
  10. Q2 USCTouchdown, 5 plays, 60 yards
  11. Q2 Penn StateTouchdown, 4 plays, 71 yards
  12. Q2 USCTouchdown, 6 plays, 75 yards
  13. Q2 Penn StateTouchdown, 13 plays, 75 yards
  14. Q2 USCTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 43 yards
  15. Q3 USCPunt, 3 plays, −1 yard
  16. Q3 Penn StateTouchdown, 1 play, 79 yards
  17. Q3 USCPunt, 4 plays, 10 yards
  18. Q3 Penn StateTouchdown, 1 play, 72 yards
  19. Q3 USCInterception, 2 plays, 2 yards
  20. Q3 Penn StateTouchdown, 1 play, 3 yards
  21. Q3 USCTouchdown, 10 plays, 65 yards
  22. Q3 Penn StateTouchdown, 8 plays, 82 yards
  23. Q3 USCPunt, 5 plays, 16 yards
  24. Q4 Penn StateFumble, 3 plays, 0 yards
  25. Q4 USCTouchdown, 10 plays, 83 yards
  26. Q4 Penn StatePunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  27. Q4 USCPunt, 4 plays, 17 yards
  28. Q4 Penn StatePunt, 5 plays, 10 yards
  29. Q4 USCTouchdown, 3 plays, 80 yards
  30. Q4 Penn StateInterception, 3 plays, 1 yard
  31. Q4 USCField goal, 3 plays, −32 yards

Play by play

1st quarter9 drives, then USC 13, Penn State 0
Penn State Interception, 1 play
15:001st & 10 at own 35Matt Boermeester kickoff for 62 yds
14:471st & 10 at own 3Trace McSorley pass intercepted Iman Marshall return for no gain to the PnSt 35
USC Missed FG, 4 plays
14:421st & 10 at opp 35Sam Darnold pass incomplete to Deontay Burnett
14:352nd & 10 at opp 35Justin Davis run for 2 yds to the PnSt 33
13:533rd & 8 at opp 33Sam Darnold pass incomplete to JuJu Smith-Schuster
13:494th & 8 at opp 33Matt Boermeester 51 yd FG MISSED
Penn State Interception, 4 plays
13:431st & 10 at own 33Saquon Barkley run for 12 yds to the PnSt 45 for a 1ST down
13:211st & 10 at own 45Saquon Barkley run for 12 yds to the USC 43 for a 1ST down
12:551st & 10 at opp 43Saquon Barkley run for 3 yds to the USC 40
12:152nd & 7 at opp 40Trace McSorley pass intercepted Adoree’ Jackson return for 21 yds to the USC 49
USC Touchdown, 5 plays
12:101st & 10 at own 49Ronald Jones II run for no gain to the USC 49
11:392nd & 10 at own 49Sam Darnold pass incomplete to JuJu Smith-Schuster
11:303rd & 10 at own 49Sam Darnold pass complete to JuJu Smith-Schuster for 25 yds to the PnSt 26 for a 1ST down
11:031st & 10 at opp 26Sam Darnold pass complete to Deontay Burnett for no gain to the PnSt 26
10:312nd & 10 at opp 26Deontay Burnett 26 Yd pass from Sam Darnold (Matt Boermeester Kick)USC 7, Penn State 0
Penn State Punt, 3 plays
10:312nd & 10 at own 35Matt Boermeester kickoff for 65 yds , Miles Sanders return for 23 yds to the PnSt 23
10:151st & 10 at own 23Trace McSorley run for no gain to the PnSt 23
9:462nd & 10 at own 23Trace McSorley pass incomplete to Chris Godwin
9:413rd & 10 at own 23Trace McSorley pass incomplete to Mike Gesicki
9:344th & 10 at own 23Blake Gillikin punt for 34 yds, downed at the USC 43
USC Field goal, 12 plays
9:291st & 10 at own 43Sam Darnold pass complete to JuJu Smith-Schuster for 9 yds to the PnSt 48
9:052nd & 1 at opp 48Ronald Jones II run for 3 yds to the PnSt 45 for a 1ST down
8:401st & 10 at opp 45Ronald Jones II run for no gain to the PnSt 45
8:052nd & 10 at opp 45Sam Darnold run for 6 yds to the PnSt 39
7:253rd & 4 at opp 39Sam Darnold pass complete to Darreus Rogers for 6 yds to the PnSt 33 for a 1ST down
6:571st & 10 at opp 33Sam Darnold pass incomplete
6:482nd & 10 at opp 33Ronald Jones II run for a loss of 2 yards to the PnSt 35
6:053rd & 12 at opp 35Sam Darnold pass complete to Justin Davis for 14 yds to the PnSt 21 for a 1ST down
5:361st & 10 at opp 21PENN ST Penalty, Defensive Pass Interference (Christian Campbell) to the PnSt 6 for a 1ST down
5:301st & goal at opp 6Adoree’ Jackson run for 2 yds to the PnSt 4
4:502nd & goal at opp 4Sam Darnold pass incomplete to Darreus Rogers
4:463rd & goal at opp 4Sam Darnold pass incomplete to Darreus Rogers
4:424th & goal at opp 4Matt Boermeester 22 Yd Field GoalUSC 10, Penn State 0
Penn State Punt, 3 plays
4:424th & 8 at own 35Matt Boermeester kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
4:361st & 10 at own 25Saquon Barkley run for 4 yds to the PnSt 29
4:102nd & 6 at own 29Saquon Barkley run for 5 yds to the PnSt 34
3:353rd & 1 at own 34Trace McSorley pass incomplete to Mike Gesicki
3:214th & 1 at own 34Blake Gillikin punt for 49 yds , Adoree’ Jackson returns for 13 yds to the USC 30 USC Penalty, Illegal Block (Jack Jones) to the USC 20
USC Field goal, 10 plays
3:151st & 10 at own 20Ronald Jones II run for 7 yds to the USC 27
2:452nd & 3 at own 27Ronald Jones II run for 5 yds to the USC 32 for a 1ST down
2:151st & 10 at own 32Ronald Jones II run for 1 yd to the USC 33
1:392nd & 9 at own 33Sam Darnold pass incomplete to Taylor McNamara
1:303rd & 9 at own 33Sam Darnold pass complete to Daniel Imatorbhebhe for 13 yds to the USC 46 for a 1ST down
0:551st & 10 at own 46Sam Darnold pass complete to Jalen Greene for 28 yds to the PnSt 26 for a 1ST down
0:331st & 10 at opp 26Sam Darnold pass incomplete to Adoree’ Jackson
0:302nd & 10 at opp 26Sam Darnold pass incomplete to Deontay Burnett
0:263rd & 10 at opp 26Sam Darnold pass incomplete to JuJu Smith-Schuster
0:214th & 10 at opp 26Matt Boermeester 44 Yd Field GoalUSC 13, Penn State 0
Penn State Touchdown, 9 plays
0:214th & 10 at opp 35Matt Boermeester kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback USC Penalty, Defensive Offside (-5 Yards)
0:151st & 10 at own 30Trace McSorley pass complete to Chris Godwin for 2 yds to the PnSt 32
Q2 14:562nd & 8 at own 32Trace McSorley pass incomplete
Q2 14:463rd & 8 at own 32Trace McSorley pass complete to Chris Godwin for 13 yds to the PnSt 45 for a 1ST down
Q2 14:201st & 10 at own 45Saquon Barkley run for a loss of 3 yards to the PnSt 42
Q2 13:402nd & 13 at own 42Trace McSorley pass complete to Chris Godwin for 14 yds to the USC 44 for a 1ST down
Q2 13:051st & 10 at opp 44Trace McSorley pass complete to Saquon Barkley for 16 yds to the USC 28 for a 1ST down
Q2 12:351st & 10 at opp 28Andre Robinson run for 4 yds to the USC 24
Q2 11:502nd & 6 at opp 24Trace McSorley pass incomplete to DeAndre Thompkins
Q2 11:443rd & 6 at opp 24Saquon Barkley run for 24 yds for a TD, (Tyler Davis KICK)USC 13, Penn State 7
2nd quarter5 drives, then USC 27, Penn State 21
USC Touchdown, 5 plays
11:443rd & 6 at own 35Tyler Davis kickoff for 38 yds , Michael Pittman Jr. return for 13 yds to the USC 40
11:331st & 10 at own 40Sam Darnold pass complete to Deontay Burnett for 32 yds to the PnSt 28 for a 1ST down
11:161st & 10 at opp 28Sam Darnold pass incomplete to Darreus Rogers
11:082nd & 10 at opp 28Justin Davis run for 24 yds to the PnSt 4 for a 1ST down
10:501st & goal at opp 4Justin Davis run for 1 yd to the PnSt 3
10:152nd & goal at opp 3Sam Darnold pass complete to Deontay Burnett for 3 yds for a TD, (Matt Boermeester KICK)USC 20, Penn State 7
Penn State Touchdown, 4 plays
10:152nd & 9 at own 35Matt Boermeester kickoff for 56 yds , Miles Sanders return for 20 yds to the PnSt 29
10:001st & 10 at own 29Trace McSorley pass complete to Chris Godwin for 29 yds to the USC 42 for a 1ST down
9:401st & 10 at opp 42Saquon Barkley run for 11 yds to the USC 31 for a 1ST down
9:251st & 10 at opp 31Saquon Barkley run for 1 yd to the USC 30
8:392nd & 9 at opp 30Trace McSorley pass complete to Chris Godwin for 30 yds for a TD, (Tyler Davis KICK)USC 20, Penn State 14
USC Touchdown, 6 plays
8:392nd & 9 at own 35Tyler Davis kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
8:351st & 10 at own 25Ronald Jones II run for 2 yds to the USC 27
8:052nd & 8 at own 27Sam Darnold pass complete to Darreus Rogers for 11 yds to the USC 38 for a 1ST down
7:351st & 10 at own 38Sam Darnold pass complete to JuJu Smith-Schuster for 36 yds to the PnSt 26 for a 1ST down
7:151st & 10 at opp 26Sam Darnold pass complete to Deontay Burnett for 4 yds to the PnSt 22
6:542nd & 6 at opp 22USC Penalty, False Start (Nico Falah) to the PnSt 27
6:402nd & 11 at opp 27Sam Darnold pass complete to Adoree’ Jackson for 24 yds to the PnSt 3 for a 1ST down
6:161st & goal at opp 3Sam Darnold pass complete to Darreus Rogers for 3 yds for a TD, (Matt Boermeester KICK)USC 27, Penn State 14
Penn State Touchdown, 13 plays
6:161st & 10 at own 35Matt Boermeester kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
6:101st & 10 at own 25Saquon Barkley run for 2 yds to the PnSt 27
5:302nd & 8 at own 27Trace McSorley run for 4 yds to the PnSt 31
4:523rd & 4 at own 31Trace McSorley pass complete to Chris Godwin for 7 yds to the PnSt 38 for a 1ST down
4:101st & 10 at own 38Trace McSorley pass complete to DeAndre Thompkins for 8 yds to the PnSt 46
3:502nd & 2 at own 46Saquon Barkley run for 4 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
3:171st & 10 at the 50Trace McSorley pass complete to Chris Godwin for 10 yds to the USC 40 for a 1ST down
2:551st & 10 at opp 40Saquon Barkley run for 1 yd to the USC 39
2:192nd & 9 at opp 39Trace McSorley pass incomplete
2:133rd & 9 at opp 39Trace McSorley pass complete to Chris Godwin for 10 yds to the USC 29 for a 1ST down
1:591st & 10 at opp 29Timeout USC, clock 01:59
1:541st & 10 at opp 29Trace McSorley run for 5 yds to the USC 24
1:172nd & 5 at opp 24Saquon Barkley run for no gain to the USC 24
1:133rd & 5 at opp 24Timeout PENN ST, clock 01:13
1:073rd & 5 at opp 24USC Penalty, Face Mask (12 yards) (Stevie Tu’ikolovatu) to the USC 12 for a 1ST down
1:001st & 10 at opp 12Trace McSorley pass complete to Saquon Barkley for 1 yd to the USC 11
0:542nd & 9 at opp 11Trace McSorley pass complete to Mike Gesicki for 11 yds for a TD, (Tyler Davis KICK)USC 27, Penn State 21
USC Turnover on downs, 7 plays
0:542nd & 9 at own 35Tyler Davis kickoff for 64 yds , Adoree’ Jackson return for 25 yds to the USC 26
0:391st & 10 at own 26Sam Darnold run for 1 yd to the USC 27
0:332nd & 9 at own 27Sam Darnold pass complete to Darreus Rogers for 13 yds to the USC 40 for a 1ST down
0:201st & 10 at own 40Sam Darnold pass complete to Deontay Burnett for 4 yds to the USC 44
0:132nd & 6 at own 44Sam Darnold run for 13 yds to the PnSt 43 for a 1ST down
0:131st & 10 at opp 43Timeout USC, clock 00:13
0:071st & 10 at opp 43Sam Darnold pass incomplete to Justin Davis
0:022nd & 10 at opp 43Sam Darnold pass complete to Deontay Burnett for 12 yds to the PnSt 31 for a 1ST down
0:021st & 10 at opp 31Timeout PENN ST, clock 00:02
0:001st & 10 at opp 31Matt Boermeester 49 yd FG MISSED
3rd quarter9 drives, then Penn State 49, USC 35
USC Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Tyler Davis kickoff for 65 yds , Adoree’ Jackson return for 35 yds to the USC 35
14:451st & 10 at own 35Ronald Jones II run for 5 yds to the USC 40
14:102nd & 5 at own 40Ronald Jones II run for a loss of 1 yard to the USC 39
13:303rd & 6 at own 39Sam Darnold pass incomplete to Deontay Burnett
13:304th & 6 at own 39USC Penalty, False Start (Michael Pittman Jr.) to the USC 34
13:224th & 11 at own 34Chris Tilbey punt for 45 yds, fair catch by John Reid at the PnSt 21
Penn State Touchdown, 1 play
13:051st & 10 at own 21Saquon Barkley run for 79 yds for a TD, (Tyler Davis KICK)Penn State 28, USC 27
USC Punt, 4 plays
13:051st & 10 at own 35Tyler Davis kickoff for 44 yds , Michael Pittman Jr. return for 5 yds to the USC 26
12:571st & 10 at own 26Sam Darnold pass incomplete to JuJu Smith-Schuster
12:532nd & 10 at own 26PENN ST Penalty, Defensive Pass Interference (Grant Haley) to the USC 41 for a 1ST down
12:461st & 10 at own 41Sam Darnold pass incomplete to De’Quan Hampton
12:362nd & 10 at own 41Adoree’ Jackson run for no gain to the USC 41
11:513rd & 10 at own 41Sam Darnold pass incomplete to Deontay Burnett
11:514th & 10 at own 41USC Penalty, False Start (Uchenna Nwosu) to the USC 36
11:384th & 15 at own 36Chris Tilbey punt for 54 yds , Gregg Garrity returns for 18 yds to the PnSt 28
Penn State Touchdown, 1 play
11:271st & 10 at own 28Trace McSorley pass complete to Chris Godwin for 72 yds for a TD, (Tyler Davis KICK)Penn State 35, USC 27
USC Interception, 2 plays
11:271st & 10 at own 35Tyler Davis kickoff for 65 yds , Adoree’ Jackson return for 23 yds to the USC 23
11:151st & 10 at own 23JuJu Smith-Schuster run for 2 yds to the USC 25
10:312nd & 8 at own 25Sam Darnold pass intercepted Brandon Bell return for 24 yds to the USC 3
Penn State Touchdown, 1 play
10:261st & goal at opp 3Trace McSorley run for 3 yds for a TD, (Tyler Davis KICK)Penn State 42, USC 27
USC Touchdown, 10 plays
10:261st & 10 at own 35Tyler Davis kickoff for 59 yds
10:201st & 10 at own 35Ronald Jones II run for 4 yds to the USC 39
9:502nd & 6 at own 39Sam Darnold pass complete to Darreus Rogers for 9 yds to the USC 48 for a 1ST down
9:231st & 10 at own 48Sam Darnold pass incomplete to JuJu Smith-Schuster
9:202nd & 10 at own 48Sam Darnold pass incomplete to Darreus Rogers
9:083rd & 10 at own 48Sam Darnold pass complete to Aca’Cedric Ware for 20 yds to the PnSt 32 for a 1ST down
8:351st & 10 at opp 32Ronald Jones II run for 5 yds to the PnSt 27
8:052nd & 5 at opp 27Ronald Jones II run for 4 yds to the PnSt 23
7:453rd & 1 at opp 23Justin Davis run for 1 yd to the PnSt 22 for a 1ST down
7:201st & 10 at opp 22Justin Davis run for 9 yds to the PnSt 13
6:472nd & 1 at opp 13Sam Darnold pass complete to JuJu Smith-Schuster for 13 yds for a TD, (Sam Darnold pass to Taylor McNamara for Two-Point Conversion)Penn State 42, USC 35
Penn State Touchdown, 8 plays
6:472nd & 1 at own 35Matt Boermeester kickoff for 58 yds , Miles Sanders return for 11 yds to the PnSt 18
6:411st & 10 at own 18PENN ST Penalty, False Start (Connor McGovern) to the PnSt 13
6:331st & 15 at own 13Saquon Barkley run for 8 yds to the PnSt 21
6:002nd & 7 at own 21Trace McSorley pass complete to Saquon Barkley for 17 yds to the PnSt 38 for a 1ST down
5:151st & 10 at own 38Mark Allen run for no gain to the PnSt 38
4:302nd & 10 at own 38Trace McSorley run for 2 yds to the USC 40 for a 1ST down USC Penalty, Unnecessary Roughness (15 Yards) to the USC 45 for a 1ST down
3:471st & 10 at opp 45Trace McSorley pass complete to Saquon Barkley for 14 yds to the USC 31 for a 1ST down
3:201st & 10 at opp 31Trace McSorley pass complete to Mark Allen for a loss of 8 yards to the USC 39
2:362nd & 18 at opp 39USC Penalty, Personal Foul (Cameron Smith) to the USC 24 for a 1ST down. Cameron Smith ejected for targeting.
2:361st & 10 at opp 24Timeout PENN ST, clock 02:36
2:291st & 10 at opp 24Saquon Barkley run for 17 yds to the USC 7 for a 1ST down
1:551st & goal at opp 7Trace McSorley pass complete to Saquon Barkley for 7 yds for a TD, (Tyler Davis KICK)Penn State 49, USC 35
USC Punt, 5 plays
1:551st & 10 at opp 35Tyler Davis kickoff for 61 yds , Adoree’ Jackson return for 13 yds to the USC 48 USC Penalty, Offensive Holding (Jackson Boyer) to the USC 9
1:401st & 10 at own 9Sam Darnold pass complete to Deontay Burnett for 8 yds to the USC 17
1:102nd & 2 at own 17Sam Darnold pass complete to Deontay Burnett for 5 yds to the USC 22 for a 1ST down
0:411st & 10 at own 22Justin Davis run for 6 yds to the USC 28
0:092nd & 4 at own 28Sam Darnold pass incomplete to Justin Davis
0:003rd & 4 at own 28Sam Darnold sacked by Garrett Sickels for a loss of 3 yards to the USC 25
Q4 14:544th & 7 at own 25Chris Tilbey punt for 41 yds, fair catch by Gregg Garrity at the PnSt 34
4th quarter8 drives, then USC 52, Penn State 49
Penn State Fumble, 3 plays
14:501st & 10 at own 34Saquon Barkley run for no gain to the PnSt 34
13:552nd & 10 at own 34Trace McSorley sacked by Rasheem Green for a loss of 1 yard to the PnSt 33 Trace McSorley fumbled, forced by Rasheem Green, recovered by PnSt Connor McGovern , return for 0 yards
13:303rd & 11 at own 33Saquon Barkley run for 2 yds to the PnSt 35
12:444th & 9 at own 35Blake Gillikin punt for 56 yds , Deontay Burnett returns for 8 yds to the USC 17
USC Touchdown, 10 plays
12:361st & 10 at own 17Ronald Jones II run for 1 yd to the USC 18
12:052nd & 9 at own 18Sam Darnold run for 3 yds to the USC 21
11:253rd & 6 at own 21Sam Darnold pass complete to JuJu Smith-Schuster for 12 yds to the USC 33 for a 1ST down
10:551st & 10 at own 33Sam Darnold pass complete to Deontay Burnett for 6 yds to the USC 39
10:252nd & 4 at own 39Sam Darnold pass complete to Deontay Burnett for 20 yds to the PnSt 41 for a 1ST down
10:001st & 10 at opp 41Ronald Jones II run for 7 yds to the PnSt 34
9:202nd & 3 at opp 34Ronald Jones II run for 2 yds to the PnSt 32
8:553rd & 1 at opp 32Ronald Jones II run for 2 yds to the PnSt 30 for a 1ST down
8:281st & 10 at opp 30Sam Darnold pass complete to JuJu Smith-Schuster for 27 yds to the PnSt 3 for a 1ST down
8:151st & goal at opp 3Ronald Jones II run for 3 yds for a TD, (Matt Boermeester KICK)Penn State 49, USC 42
Penn State Punt, 3 plays
8:151st & 10 at own 35Matt Boermeester kickoff for 64 yds , Saquon Barkley return for 24 yds to the PnSt 25
8:051st & 10 at own 25Saquon Barkley run for 1 yd to the PnSt 26
7:302nd & 9 at own 26Trace McSorley pass complete to DeAndre Thompkins for 1 yd to the PnSt 27
6:523rd & 8 at own 27Trace McSorley pass incomplete to Chris Godwin
6:414th & 8 at own 27Blake Gillikin punt for 50 yds , Deontay Burnett returns for a loss of 2 yards to the USC 21
USC Punt, 4 plays
6:351st & 10 at own 21Sam Darnold pass complete to Deontay Burnett for 17 yds to the USC 38 for a 1ST down
6:001st & 10 at own 38Ronald Jones II run for 2 yds to the USC 40
5:302nd & 8 at own 40Sam Darnold pass complete to Ronald Jones II for a loss of 3 yards to the USC 37
4:513rd & 11 at own 37USC Penalty, False Start (Zach Banner) to the USC 32
4:323rd & 16 at own 32Sam Darnold pass complete to Ronald Jones II for 6 yds to the USC 38
3:564th & 10 at own 38Chris Tilbey punt for 37 yds, fair catch by Gregg Garrity at the PnSt 25
Penn State Punt, 5 plays
3:501st & 10 at own 25Saquon Barkley run for 1 yd to the PnSt 26
3:032nd & 9 at own 26Saquon Barkley run for 10 yds to the PnSt 36 for a 1ST down
2:221st & 10 at own 36Saquon Barkley run for no gain to the PnSt 36
2:222nd & 10 at own 36Timeout USC, clock 02:22
2:162nd & 10 at own 36Saquon Barkley run for 6 yds to the PnSt 42
2:163rd & 4 at own 42Timeout USC, clock 02:16
2:083rd & 4 at own 42Saquon Barkley run for a loss of 7 yards to the PnSt 35
2:084th & 11 at own 35Timeout USC, clock 02:08
1:594th & 11 at own 35Blake Gillikin punt for 65 yds for a touchback
USC Touchdown, 3 plays
1:501st & 10 at own 20Sam Darnold pass complete to JuJu Smith-Schuster for 11 yds to the USC 31 for a 1ST down
1:441st & 10 at own 31Sam Darnold pass complete to Daniel Imatorbhebhe for 12 yds to the USC 43 for a 1ST down
1:331st & 10 at own 43PENN ST Penalty, Defensive Pass Interference (Jordan Smith) to the PnSt 42 for a 1ST down
1:271st & 10 at opp 42PENN ST Penalty, Defensive Pass Interference (Grant Haley) to the PnSt 27 for a 1ST down
1:201st & 10 at opp 27Sam Darnold pass complete to Deontay Burnett for 27 yds for a TD, (Matt Boermeester KICK)Tied at 49
Penn State Interception, 3 plays
1:201st & 10 at own 35Matt Boermeester kickoff for 63 yds , Saquon Barkley return for 33 yds to the PnSt 35
1:051st & 10 at own 35Saquon Barkley run for 1 yd to the PnSt 36
0:382nd & 9 at own 36Trace McSorley pass incomplete to Mike Gesicki
0:273rd & 9 at own 36Trace McSorley pass intercepted Leon McQuay III return for 32 yds to the PnSt 33
USC Field goal, 3 plays
0:271st & 10 at opp 33Timeout PENN ST, clock 00:27
0:201st & 10 at opp 33Ronald Jones II run for 5 yds to the PnSt 28
0:052nd & 5 at opp 28TEAM pass incomplete
0:053rd & 5 at opp 28Timeout PENN ST, clock 00:05
0:003rd & 5 at opp 28Matt Boermeester 46 yd FG GOODUSC 52, Penn State 49

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every USC–Penn State game

USC leads 7–⁠5 in 12 meetings, counting the two since this game.

Recent meetings
2026USC 31, Penn State 23
2024Penn State 33, USC 30
2016USC 52, Penn State 49Rose Bowl
2008USC 38, Penn State 24Rose Bowl
2000USC 29, Penn State 5
1996Penn State 24, USC 7

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