The offense got off to a strong start, but they were inconsistent and fumbled more than they should have, but on the bright side, coaches opened up the playbook and allowed Matt Barkley to complete some deep passes. However this offense, and the receiving game in particular, needs to play better. Trojan fans eagerly await the return of the fastest receiver, Ronald Johnson, who suffered a shoulder injury in the scrimmage game in August.

This defense is impressive. They almost held the Cougars to a shutout if it were not for Aaron Corp's fumble late in the game. Defensive back Marshall Jones and defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo each suffered season ending injuries in this game. Injuries are part of the game, and this is why it never hurts to have depth like USC does. Pete Carroll and coaching staff "stockpile" talent, and given the current waves of injuries, this is when the depth is tested.

It's Monday, January 5, 2009.

You're probably sitting at your desk right now.

Welcome back.

The holidays are over and odds are you're reflecting fondly on the food, the family gatherings, and, of course, the football. In order to brighten your day in the office, here's a look at some of the pageantry from the 2009 Rose Bowl between USC and Penn State. Click on any photo to enlarge.

The LA Times also ran a large 55-shot photo gallery and Brooks snapped some fun shots with Wendy over on SportsByBrooks.com.

For all the Rose Bowl coverage from this blog, there's a 2009 Rose Bowl category.

From the sideline

Rey Maualuga's  Bednarik Award (right) and A.Q. Shipley's Rimington Trophy (left).

Penn State's flag bearers look on as USC takes the field.

Golf advice for USC's special teams.

Penn State cheerleaders. Just because.

In the final minutes, USC alum Sedrick Ellis shared his caramel corn with coaches Brennan Carroll and Ken Norton, Jr.

The Fans

These guys were dragging around little lions like many Trojans drag around little Bruins during rivalry week.

Word is that these fans are regulars in the stands in Happy Valley.

If you want your sign to stand out in a crowd, day-glo is always a good choice.

The most popular man in the state of Pennsylvania?

Mark Sanchez's #1 fan ... his mom.

The players

Penn State went three-and-out a couple times in the first quarter, making it look like a low-scoring game was at hand.

Mark Sanchez turned it into a scoring fest in the second quarter, shown just seconds before taking a draw in for a touchdown.

Sanchez is mobbed by his teammates after scoring.

Throughout the game, long snappers and kickers kept loose.

Even in the fourth quarter, Mark Sanchez was throwing passes on the sideline to Damian Williams to keep ready.

Look! In the sky!

The B-2 from Mizzou.

Your tax dollars at work.

This wasn't spelled by the B-2.

-- Adam Rose
All photos by Adam Rose.

The Ducks were averaging 47 points and 503 yards a game, but cornerback Josh Pinkard and the Trojans limited Oregon to 239 yards.

The Ducks charged to a 10-3 lead before the Trojans scored 41 in a row, including a 24-point second quarter.

"This was exactly what we needed to do," Carroll said.

These photos are from Image of Sport, a one-stop sports photography wire service and digital archive to meet the demands of daily newspapers and editorial publications. View the gallery from Saturday's game by clicking here.

USC tight end Blake Ayles tries to break free from the grasp of Oregon's Patrick Chung.
Duck coach Mike Bellotti and Trojan tight ends coach Brennan Carroll, Pete's oldest son, patrol the sidelines.

The Spirit of Troy marching ban performs during halftime.

Oregon's LeGarrette Blount looks for yardage. He finished with nine carries for zero yards.

Lisa Leslie and other USC Olympians were honored at halftime.

Why is Pete Carroll jotting down notes at your six-year old brother's pee wee football game? Why is Carroll carousing the maternity ward, clocking just how fast the newborn baby makes it through the birth canal? Why, you ask?...Because it's never too early to start recruiting for 2025.

Okay. It's not that extreme but Carroll is making waves with his early recruiting tactics, locking in power-recruits before anyone else can get their hands on them. Carroll, along with his recruiting coordinator (and eldest son - Brennan), are sweeping up big talent from all around Southern California, already landing early-bird recruits for 2009.