UNIVERSITY PARK, CENTRE COUNTY – Big Ten East Division Champs, check. Big Ten Conference Champs, check. Next on the list, one of the more challenging tasks in college football, beat USC in the Rose Bowl.
“I grew up watching the USC teams in the Rose Bowl,” admitted PSU Sophomore Cornerback John Reid. “I think to play in the Rose Bowl is an honor honestly. Most of my friends growing up, when we were little kids talking about bowl games we wanted to play in, it was always the Rose Bowl.”
The Nittany Lions have played in New York for the Pinstripe Bowl, Jacksonville for the TaxSlayer Bowl and now Pasadena for the Rose the past three years. They're thrilled to finish out the season in California.
"It's going to be a fun experience because you get to go out to Cali, like I said, get out of the cold," explained Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley. "It's great to have a little down time with your brothers, your teammates and be able to play another game."
"Every Senior wants to go out with a bang, you never know how it's going to end," added Penn State Senior Linebacker Brandon Bell. "I'm just grateful for what this team has been able to accomplish this season and I'm just looking forward to this Rose Bowl."
The Nittany Lions have finals to worry about this week. They will spend time with their families for the holidays and then fly out west the day after Christmas. That gives them a solid week in California to get ready for the Trojans. Kickoff is 5pm on Monday, January 2nd.
