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Trojans Roll in Rose Bowl 49-17

Four Illini turnovers become TDs as frosh McKnight runs wild

By Jesse Andrews,  Newser User

Posted Jan 1, 2008 10:40 PM CST

(Newser) – Just imagine if the Trojans had played this well all season. No. 6 USC set a Rose Bowl record in total offense and tied the record in points in a 49-17 thrashing of No. 13 Illinois. Freshman Joe McKnight did his best Reggie Bush impression, gaining 170 of his team's 633 yards, and the Trojans' dominating defense created four turnovers.

All four quickly became touchdowns. Even USC's miscues were auspicious: a badly executed lateral by quarterback John David Booty was plucked from the ground by McKnight and converted to a 55-yard gain. Booty, a senior, threw for three scores and now has seven career Rose Bowl touchdowns—a record.

USC defensive end Lawrence Jackson kisses the trophy after his team beat Illinois 49-17 at the Rose Bowl football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
USC defensive end Lawrence Jackson kisses the trophy after his team beat Illinois 49-17 at the Rose Bowl football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)   (Associated Press)
USC head coach Pete Carroll, left, celebrates with quarterback John David Booty (10) and linebacker Rey Maualuga (58) after defeating Illinois 49-17 in the Rose Bowl football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
USC head coach Pete Carroll, left, celebrates with quarterback John David Booty (10) and linebacker Rey Maualuga (58) after defeating Illinois 49-17 in the Rose Bowl football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008,...   (Associated Press)
USC quarterback John David Booty conducts the USC marching band as they celebrate after defeating Illinois 49-17 in the Rose Bowl football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
USC quarterback John David Booty conducts the USC marching band as they celebrate after defeating Illinois 49-17 in the Rose Bowl football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark...   (Associated Press)
USC's Rey Maualuga, top, sacks Illinois quarterback Juice Williams as he fumbles the ball in the second quarter of the Rose Bowl football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
USC's Rey Maualuga, top, sacks Illinois quarterback Juice Williams as he fumbles the ball in the second quarter of the Rose Bowl football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark...   (Associated Press)
USC wide receiver David Ausberry celebrates his touchdown during the fourth quarter against Illinois at the Rose Bowl football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
USC wide receiver David Ausberry celebrates his touchdown during the fourth quarter against Illinois at the Rose Bowl football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)   (Associated Press)
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