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Rose Bowl 2017 results in another upset win for Trojans

By Keith Rivas

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans tight end Taylor McNamara (48) celebrates making a touchdown with fullback Reuben Peters (47) and tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe (88) during the third quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans tight end Taylor McNamara (48) celebrates making a touchdown with fullback Reuben Peters (47) and tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe (88) during the third quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Following the Rose Bowl 2017, the USC Trojans managed to cap off a magical season.

How else did we really expect this game to finish?

The Rose Bowl 2017 featured a Trojans team returning to the spotlight and the overlooked underdog in Penn State.

Shockingly, the Nittany Lions missed the College Football Playoff. This came despite winning the Big 10 — a conference featuring juggernauts.

USC, on the other hand, turned an early flop into a freak show. Embarrassed in their opening game against Alabama, the Trojans figured things out around the quarter season mark.

The game started to the tune of a 13-0 lead in favor of Southern California. After getting shut out in the first quarter, Penn State charged back for three touchdowns before halftime.

In the third quarter is where things got shaky for USC. The Nittany Lions exploded for 28 points, while USC mustered just eight.

https://twitter.com/USC_Athletics/status/816108192614662144

Penn State led 49-35 into the final frame, before being shut out in the fourth quarter.

To close things out, the Trojans run the table for 17 unanswered points, including a game-winning field goal as time expired.

Turnovers proved to be a major factor, with USC doing it once while their opponent gave it away three times.

Penn State got 23 first downs, while USC bested them with 33. The battle for time of possession was also won by the Trojans, but nearly lost by two bad quarters of football.

Clay Helton ends the season on top, with another upset in his bag of tricks.

Switching to Sam Darnold at quarterback was the better decision, and has paid off tremendously for the program. Darnold threw for 453 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception.

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The Trojans finish with a mark of 10-3, while the Nittany Lions drop to 11-3 on the season.

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