Rose Bowl Updates:
12/04/07 Update
Former Illinois QB gets Rose Bowl trip
For former Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner, the move to the Illini Sports Network radio booth came just at the right time. The first-year analyst finally gets that trip to the Rose Bowl that's six years overdue when Illinois (9-3) meets Southern Cal (10-2) on New Year's Day (3:30 p.m., ABC).
"I've been lucky," Kittner said. "The rookie season has been full of big games from beginning to end. You still hear stories about the last Rose Bowl (for Illinois), and that was 24 years ago. It's something special. I hope they cherish the time.
"We knew we were playing in a big game through the normal course of business. That's why you play the game - trying to get to the big one. You realize when you're doing it. You don't realize how many fans and diehards have been waiting for times like this."
12/03/07 Update
Illinois Rose Bowl tickets
Through one day, the llinois ticket office has received 12,000 requests for tickets to the 2008 Rose Bowl featuring the Fighting Illini and USC.
Currently, ticket requests are being accepted from I FUND donors and season ticket holders as well as student season ticket holders. I FUND members and season ticket holders have until Friday to place their request using their online application which was emailed or by phone at 1-866-ILLINI-1.
Student season ticket holders have a deadline of 5 p.m., Wed., Dec. 5 and must be placed in person at the Athletic Ticket Office at the Assembly Hall. You can also purchase
Rose Bowl Tickets from a trusted ticket agency or go to
TournamentofRoses.com.
11/24/07 Update
UCLA enters Rose Bowl picture
Unlikely as it might seem, once-reeling UCLA has a shot at the Rose Bowl.
The Ducks lost backup Brady Leaf late in the first quarter against UCLA, and Cody Kempt and Justin Roper were unable to generate any offense. The Ducks gained only 148 yards against the Bruins, who snapped a three-game losing streak despite getting only 10 first downs and gaining 220 yards.
The result left No. 11 USC (9-2, 6-2) in position to win its sixth consecutive Pac-10 championship and play in the Rose Bowl with a victory over the Bruins next weekend.
Should UCLA upset USC and Arizona top No. 7 Arizona State on the same day, the Bruins (6-5, 5-3) would get the Rose Bowl bid - a shocking development considering their recent slump.
11/24/07 Update
USC Revives Its Hopes for Rose Bowl
TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 22 -- Forty-seven days after an unimaginable loss to Stanford, Southern California is back in the Rose Bowl hunt.
John David Booty threw for 375 yards and matched a career high with four touchdown passes as the 11th-ranked Trojans blitzed No. 7 Arizona State, 44-24, on Thursday night, reviving their bid f or an unprecedented sixth straight Pacific-10 title and a trip to the Rose Bowl.
"This was a really, really sweet win," USC Coach Pete Carroll said. "I think it's a great statement for our guys."
The Rose Bowl seemed an unlikely destination after then-No. 2 USC, a 41-point favorite, lost, 24-23, to Stanford on Oct. 6. But now, the talented Trojans are rolling again.
"People kind of counted us out, especially with the early loss to Stanford," said Booty, who also ran for a one-yard score. "We know what we're all about."
Southern California (9-2, 6-2 Pac-10) will go to the Rose Bowl if it beats UCLA on Dec. 1 and Oregon loses to UCLA or Oregon State.
The Trojans rolled up 509 total yards and held the Sun Devils (9-2, 6-2) to 259.
USC's defense overwhelmed Arizona State, sacking Rudy Carpenter six times and briefly knocking him out of the game with a cut lip. Defensive end Lawrence Jackson had four sacks, most in a game by a Trojans player since 1989.
"They came to hit tonight," Carpenter said. "I think tonight, we were overmatched."
Southern California broke open a 17-all game with 10 points in the final five minutes of the first half, then pulled away from the Sun Devils with 17 more points in the third quarter.
Booty hit Joe McKnight for a seven-yard touchdown midway through the quarter, then connected with Fred Davis for a 34-yard score on fourth and two to give USC a 44-17 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Booty had missed three games with a broken finger and has played inconsistently at times. But he completed his first seven passes Thursday.
"We didn't play good," said ASU Coach Dennis Erickson, whose team rushed 27 times for zero yards through three quarters. "It's sad."
It was USC's eighth straight win over the Sun Devils.
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