Coach utvol27 is back on top - BCS Championship Game Recap/Photos

The USC Trojans defeated the Florida State Seminoles 20-17 last night in the Rose Bowl to win the season 3 BCS National Championship. The game was dominated by both teams' defenses and came down to the wire, as expected.

Trojan kicker Andre Heidari kicked a 23 yard FG as time expired to give USC the victory, which halts the Seminoles 2 year BCS title winning streak. Although both defenses set the tempo throughout the contest, the difference in the game was USC's ability to pressure FSU QB Matthew Bryant (4 sacks) and a interception return for a TD in the first quarter. That interception came just plays after FSU (which led 3-0) forced an interception and was looking to build a two-score lead. Instead, the interception gave USC a 7-3 lead, and they tacked on an additional FG to take a 10-3 lead into the locker room.

 The momentum turned FSU's way in the second half and it looked as if the Seminole magic would prevail. ON USC's opening drive, the Seminoles forced a fumble (which USC miraculously recovered - see video highlights) on its own 5 yard like, and the Trojans punted on 4th and 27 from their own end zone. The Seminole offense finally got on course and tied the game 10-10 when Bryant connected with WR Kenny Shaw on a TD pass. Just two minutes later, after the Seminoles forced a fumble an option pitch, FSU added another TD to take a 17-10 lead with just over a minute left in the 3rd quarter. 

From there, it was all USC, as the Trojans came up with a clutch, 4th quarter performance. Coach utvol27 turned to Heisman winning RB Dillon Baxter and the RB carried the load. Baxter carried the ball 25 times for 148 yards on the night, and a majority of those carries/yards came in the 4th quarter. Baxter led the Trojans down the field, but the drive stalled inside the FSU 10 yard line. Facing 4th and Goal from the 8, and trailing 17-10 with 4:46 left in the game, Coach utvol27 gambled and went for the TD. RS Freshman QB Tim King found Baxter open the end zone, and the RB made a leaping TD catch to tie the game at 17-17. 

The USC defense came up huge once again on the ensuing drive, sacking Bryant on 3rd down to force the Seminoles to punt inside their own 10 yard line with 2 minutes remaining and all 3 timeouts at its disposal. 

Once again, the Trojans leaned on Baxter, and the running back bruised his way little by little downfield. USC's passing game was virtually ineffective all night (as King went 4/7 for 20 yards), but Baxter's running was all it needed on this night. The Trojans ran the clock down inside 1 minute, and with all of FSU's timeouts gone, USC ticked the clock down and called timeout on 4th down with 2 seconds remaining.

Heidari lined up and drilled the 23 yarder right down the middle, and pandemonium reigned on the Rose Bowl field. A dejected Seminole team watched in silence as the Trojans did the Peanut Butter Jelly dance with their head coach at midfield.







Both of these teams are expected to contend for the BCS title again next year, as FSU loses only 11 seniors and USC loses 13. Season 4 will be right around the corner, and with Texas, Michigan, LSU, and Miami lurking close behind, along with the uncertainty surrounding the Oregon, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Washington programs, it's going to be another nip and tuck, competitive season for sure!

Game recap: