They fought on, and on, and on, and on.
As a darkly clouded afternoon became a chilly night in Pasadena Monday, the USC football team fought Penn State for a Rose Bowl championship that seemed continually out of reach.
The Trojans fought through breathtaking Nittany Lions scores, limb-twisting Nittany Lions tackles, and a two-touchdown deficit with less than a dozen minutes remaining in the game.
They fought through deafening noise from thousands of white-clad Penn State fans, a brutal ankle injury to their most explosive player, and yellow penalty flags that constantly fluttered at their feet.
They fought with jabs from a kid quarterback, roundhouses from acrobatic receivers and knockdowns by giant linemen.
They fought and fought and then, in their final breaths they hit Penn State with a force that USC football lore will remember forever.
Sam Darnold tossed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Deontay Burnett with one minute 20 seconds remaining to tie the score. Moments later, Leon McQuay III intercepted a lofted pass from Penn State’s Trace McSorley.
USC kicked a field goal as time expired to defeat Penn State, 52-49, in a Rose Bowl thriller.
Then, with the stunned Trojans nation holding its collective breath, Matt Boermeester sent them into full scream by kicking a 46-yard field goal as time ran out to give USC a 52-49 victory in arguably their greatest Rose Bowl victory ever.
“If that’s not the definition of ‘Fight On,’ I don’t know what is,’’ said Coach Clay Helton, barking out the Trojan slogan as he stood red-faced amid the postgame madness.
Even before the ball sailed through the uprights, the confident Boermeester turned his back and began running toward the far end of the field. Soon he was followed by sprinting, dancing teammates who were quickly engulfed in hugs and confetti.
“It still doesn’t feel like we won,’’ said nose tackle Stevie Tu’Ikolovatu, the game’s defensive MVP. “This was the scariest, then the craziest.’’
This was enough to bring a 6-foot-9, 360-pound man to his knees, as Trojans tackle Zach Banner watched the field goal, fell to the wet grass and dissolved in tears.
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USC Trojans guard Damien Mama celebrates the Trojans’ win over the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
2/61
USC Trojans defensive back Adoree’ Jackson celebrates after the Trojans’ beat the Penn State Nittany Lions.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 3/61
USC head coach Clay Helton holds aloft the Leishman Trophy after the Trojans beat Penn State 52-49 in the Rose Bowl.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 4/61
USC kicker Matt Boermeester, 39, celebrates with holder Wyatt Schmidt after making a game-winning 46-yard field goal as time expired to beat Penn State 52-49 in the Rose Bowl Game. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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USC placekicker Matt Boermeester, 39, celebrates with teammates after making a game-winning 46-yard field goal as time expired to beat Penn State 52-49. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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USC Trojans place kicker Matt Boermeester celebrates with teammates after kicking the game winning field goal/ (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
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USC’s kicker Matt Boermeester kick the winning field goal against Penn State.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 8/61
Penn State’s Jordan Smith is called for pass interference on USC receiver Deontay Burnett late in the 4th quarter/
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 9/61
USC quarterback Sam Darnold wiggles away from Penn State linebacker Jason Kabinda during fourth quarter action.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 10/61
USC defensive back Leon McQuay steps in front of Penn State receiver Chris Goodwin for an interception in the last minute of the game, setting up a winning drive.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 11/61
USC’s Leon McQuay intercepts the ball in front of Penn St. receiver Chris Godwin late in the 4th quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 12/61
USC strong safety Leon McQuay ntercepts a pass intended for Penn State wide receiver Chris Godwin in the fourth quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 13/61
USC strong safety Leon McQuay III returns an interception of a pass intended for Penn State wide receiver Chris Godwin in the fourth quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC’s Deontay Burnett catches a touchdown pass late in the 4th quarter as Penn St.’s Marcus Allen looks on at the Rose Bowl Monday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 15/61
USC receiver Deontay Burnett hauls in a touchdown pass over Penn State safety Marcus Allen for the game tying score late in the fourth quarter.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 16/61
USC wide receiver Deontay Burnett makes a touchdown catch against Penn State in the fourth quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC receiver Deontay Burnett, left, and quarterback Sam Darnold celebrate the game-tying touchdown against Penn St. late in the 4th qaurter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 18/61
USC head coach Clay Helton cheers his team on against Penn State in the fourth quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 19/61
The USC defense celebrates as Penn State’s running back Saquon Barkley is stopped on 3rd down late in the 4th quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 20/61
USC Trojans tight end Taylor McNamara (48) is congratulated by Teammates after catching a two-point conversion from USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold in the second half.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 21/61
USC wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster celebrates with teammates after making a touchdown catch against Penn State in the third quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times )
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USC Trojans wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster catches a touchdown pass from USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold in the third quarter/
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 23/61
Penn State wide receiver Chris Godwin takes the ball away from USC defensive back Iman Marshall en route to a touchdown in the third quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 24/61
USC quarterback Sam Darnold throws downfield against Penn State in the third quarter of the Rose Bowl game on Jan. 2. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC receiver Adoree Jackson writhes in pain as he is tackled by Penn State cornerback Christian Campbell during fourth quarter action.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 26/61
Injured USC defensive back Adoree Jackson is helped off the firld in the third quarter as coach Clay Helton looks on.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 27/61
USC quarterback Sam Darnold loses control of the ball as he is sacked by Penn State defensive end Garrett Sickels during third quarter action.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 28/61
USC linebacker Uchenna Nwosu tries to fire up the crowd in the fourth quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 29/61
USC running back Chris Hawkins scores a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, leading to a 49-49 tie with Penn State.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 30/61
USC’s Ronald Jones is lifted into the air after scoring a touchdown against Penn St. at the Rose Bowl Monday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 31/61
USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster hauls in a long pass over Penn State cornerback John Reid during a fourth quarter drive. The play was originally called incomplete, but replay showed Schuster made the catch in bounds.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 32/61
Penn State cornerback Christian Campbell breaks up a pass intended for USC wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster in the third quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 33/61
Penn St. receiver Chris Godwin makes a catch in front of USC’s Leon McQuay in the 2nd quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 34/61
USC Trojans defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu (96) tackles Penn State Nittany Lions running back Mark Allen (8) in the second half.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 35/61
Penn State safety Malik Golden upends USC receiver Adoree Jackson in the third quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 36/61
USC’s Sam Darnold celebrates his touchdown throw to Deontay Burnett against Penn St. in the 2nd quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 37/61
Penn St. tight end Mike Gesicki catches a touchdown pass in front of USC’s Adoree Jackson, left, and Leon McQuay in the 2nd quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 38/61
USC Trojans running back Justin Davis dives for a first down before being tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Brandon Bell in first half action.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 39/61
Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley scores a touchdown while pursued by USC Trojans linebacker Cameron Smith (35) in the first half.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 40/61
Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Mike Gesicki celebrates after catching a touchdown pass in the first half.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 41/61
Penn State receiver Chris Godwin flips out of the endzone after catching a touchdown pass over USC defensive back Adoree Jackson during second quarter action.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 42/61
USC receiver Darreus Rogers makes a diving catch in front of Penn State defensive back Grant Haley during a second quarter drive.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 43/61
USC quarterback Sam Darnold scrambles for big yards late in the 2nd quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 44/61
USC’s Stevie Tu’ikolowafu grabs the face mask of Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley for a penalty during the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold eludes Penn State’s cornerback John Reid (29) in the first half.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 46/61
Penn St. receiver Chris Godwin makes a diving catch in front of USC’s Adoree Jackson in the 2nd quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 47/61
Penn St. receiver Chris Godwin makes a catch in front of USC’s Leon McQuay in the 2nd quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 48/61
USC quarterback Sam Darnold scrambles for big yards late in the 2nd quarter against Penn St.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 49/61
USC wide receiver Adoree Jackson makes his way inside the Penn State five-yard-line after a catch in the second quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 50/61
Penn State wide receiver Chris Godwin makes a one-handed catch against USC strong safety Leon McQuay in the second quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 51/61
USC head coach Clay Helton reacts angrily after officials mistakenly nullified a touchdopwn catch by Trojans wide receiver Deontay Burnett in the second quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 52/61
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley eludes the tackle of USC end Porter Gustin in first quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold throws a touchdown pass to USC Trojans wide receiver Deontay Burnett against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first half.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 54/61
USC receiver Darreus Rogers catches a touchdown pass in front of Penn St.’s Grant Haley in the second quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 55/61
USC defensive back Adoree Jackson celebrates with teammate Iman Marshall after intercepting a Penn State pass in the first quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 56/61
The Nittany Lion waits the tunnel before the start of the 2017 Rose Bowl Game.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 57/61
Bryce Rogers, left, and Norma Lopez, of Montrose, CA, attends her first Rose Bowl Game.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 58/61
Penn State students Sophie Randall, Audrey Zavada, and Kait Yoniske, have their photo taken as they enter the stadium.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 59/61
The “Spirit of Troy,” USC Marching Band arrives at the Rose Bowl, hours before the Trojans and the Penn State Nittany Lions play in the Rose Bowl game.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 60/61
USC football fans cheer for their Trojans team before the start of the 103rd Rose Bowl game against the Penn State Nittany Lions in Pasadena on Monday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 61/61
Penn State football fans cheer for the Nittany Lions before the start of the 103rd Rose Bowl game against the USC Trojans in Pasadena on Monday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) “I’m on the ground and feeling feelings that I don’t know how to describe,’’ he said. “I cried my ass off.’’
This also brought several players to the front of the Trojans band, where they directed the fight song with both the sword and the Rose Bowl trophy while teammates surrounded them with eyes wide with disbelief.
“It’s unreal, it feels fake right now,’’ receiver De’Quan Hampton said. “It feels like a dream.’’
The reality is that with this win, USC emerged from eight years in the probation-cluttered wilderness to become a force in college football again. A Trojans team that began this season with a 1-3 record and Helton on the coaching hot seat has finished with nine consecutive victories and an aura that few other teams can match.
There are probably only two teams that would be favored against USC if they played next week, and both of them, Clemson and Alabama, are playing for the national championship.
“If we’re not back, I don’t know who is,’’ said Willie McGinest, a former Trojans great who was walking the sidelines. “Being without all our scholarships, being undermanned for so many years, then to finish like this, it’s very special.’’
They finished by winning their record 25th Rose Bowl, the most victories by any college team in any bowl. They finished by winning a game featuring the highest combined score in Rose Bowl history, with Darnold throwing the most touchdown passes — five — in Rose Bowl history while the freshman also finished with a Rose Bowl record 473 total yards.
But the Trojans very nearly didn’t finish anything. Like the kid said, before crazy, there was scary.
USC led 27-21 at halftime but then was stunned by a 79-yard touchdown run by Penn State’s Saquon Barkley in which he broke six tackles. That was followed moments later by a tipped pass that Penn State receiver Chris Godwin turned into a 72-yard touchdown pass.
There’s more. On the next Trojan possession, a Penn State interception led to a three-yard McSorley run that gave the Nittany Lions a 42-27 lead. That’s 21 unanswered Penn State points in less than three minutes, and the Trojans seemed done.
Except for, you know, all that “Conquest’’ business.
“I don’t know if it was the man upstairs, I don’t know what it was,’’ Banner said. “But I’m not going to call it a miracle, because we earned everything we got, we earned getting here, we earned winning the game, we earned this.’’
They earned it with a soaring sideline catch by JuJu Smith-Schuster, diving grabs by Burnett, and third-down backfield tackle by Michael Hutchings, and a renewed urgency after star Adoree’ Jackson hobbled off the field in the third quarter with a right ankle injury.
“I hugged him and I said, ‘We’re going to win this game for you,’’’ safety Chris Hawkins said.
In the end, who would have thought the game would actually be won by a junior-college transfer who had not made a kick for USC until this season, who had not made a game-winning kick all season, and had missed two kicks earlier in the game?
Boermeester, that’s who.
“I wasn’t too concerned with the distance,’’ Boermeester said. “Wherever it was at, I was kicking it.’’
Translated? “We have dudes on this team who have ice-cold water in their veins,’’ Hawkins said.
The ball punched through the goal posts, through the chilly night air, and accompanied by a cardinal-clad crowd whose roar will be remembered through history, a new USC football era has begun.
“It’s like the ripple in the pond,’’ Banner said. “You know when you the drop the rock and the ripple starts? We are that rock.’’
Goodness, what a splash.
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Get more of Bill Plaschke’s work and follow him on Twitter @BillPlaschke
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