After winning 383 football games and a record 23 bowl games, 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 won 31-7 over its Nittany Lions in the BCS Rose Bowl New Years Day (1-1-09).

No one had to tell the 82-year-old coaching legend and Pennsylvania icon that this wasn’t Happy Valley. The final score of 38-24 belied what really happened: No. 5-ranked USC convincingly decimated a proud and successful No. 6-ranked Penn State team that had reached the BCS Rose Bowl with a Big Ten title and an 11-1 record.

And that’s why, more than any other reason, the 83-year-old Penn State coach will be sidelined next season, God willing and the creek doesn’t rise. JoePa lives to compete. The excitement of a Saturday afternoon and the feeling of fall wake you up in the morning and put you to sleep at night.

Does Joe Paterno think USC is as good as any other team in the country? Only a rookie home run hitter or a fool would say no.

So this needs to be said loud and clear right now: Pete Carroll’s UC Trojans have . . .

1) He won a record 7 consecutive Pac-10 championships.

2) Played in a record 7 consecutive BCS Bowl Games.

3) Won 3 consecutive Rose Bowl Games, a record.

4) Won 11 or more games during 7 consecutive seasons, a record.

5) Won 6 of 7 big games, going 5-0 against Big Ten teams like Penn State.

6) Won 82 games and lost just 9 since Carroll’s second year on the job.

Did they clear the field with Penn State? Yes. They scored 31 points on 5 straight first-half possessions, the most USC has scored in any of its record 33 Rose Bowl games. The Trojans amassed 27 first downs and 474 yards of offense.

Junior quarterback Mark Sanchez was 28 of 35 for 413 yards and 4 touchdowns and rushed for a fifth touchdown. And guess what? He’s thinking of entering the NFL Draft instead of coming back for his senior year; It’s not 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 and became USC’s third straight linebacker to win the award.

In their third game this year, USC traveled to Oregon State and lost 27-21. The Trojans then went on to 10 straight wins, outscoring their opponents 380 to 80 with the country’s No. 1 defense. The Trojans are playing like a national championship team but they are not the national champions this year. Maybe next year.

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley