LIVE BLOG: ROSE BOWL USC vs ILLINOIS

by Brian P. Foley, The College Baseball Blog

The College Baseball Blog is here to take you through the Rose Bowl like only we can. Don't Forget the Xs and Os. I do care. We're here to have a good time and make fun of the roses on the sweaters of the USC cheerleaders.

After an exciting Winter Classic showdown between the Penguins and Sabres we have the Granddaddy of them all. If anyone cares, fellow UNH graduate Ty Conklin picked up the win in a shootout. (UNH class of 2004 here) We have a USC team which went a disappointing 10-2 on the year and Illinois enters with a 9-3 record.

Here are the rules

USC TD= Pic of Southern Cal girl
Illinois TD= Pic of Ron Zook

PREGAME

• Brent Musberger will be handle the play by play duties with Kirk "Les Miles is going to Michigan" Herbstreit handling the color duties. Lisa Salters will be stalking the sidelines. Former Florida Dazzler Erin Andrews is relegated to sideline radio duty for ESPN. I am so disappointed that I don't get to see my baby.
• The Michigan seniors have finally won a big game. Appalachian State is better then Florida!
• We have a Big East crew doing the officiating
  

1st Quarter

• USC won the toss and deferred to the second half. Illinois gets the ball to start the game.
• Mendenhall goes 16 yards right up the gut on the first play. Does USC have the speed to keep up with the Fightin' Illini?
• Illinois goes three and out after the 16 yard run.
• Davis goes about 20 yards down the right side of the field to get a first down for the Trojans.
• Big East crew marks a USC receiver down but it looks like the ball might have been coming out before his knee touches the ground.
• McKnight catches a deflected pass for a fourteen yard catch. Pretty crazy play.
• TOUCHDOWN USC: Chauncy Washington scores on a five yard pass.

TOUCHDOWN USC

• Illinois starts their second drive at the 20.
• The Juice gets loose for Illinois to get a first down on 3rd and 3.
• I am going to refer to Illinois as the Zookers for the rest of the game. I hate typing Illinois.
• PICKED OFF BY USC by a middle linebacker...I am not spelling the kids name.
• TOUCHDOWN USC: Booty throws to Garrett Green then Green passes it to Desmond Reed for the touchdown.
  

DOUBLE PASS TOUCHDOWN USC

• As we are waiting for the game to return from a commercial break. I better not have been stuck with a blowout Rose Bowl game.
• The Zookers start at the 20 with Mendenhall getting nothing on the first play.
• Zook calls for a screen pass on 3rd and 13. They get maybe 3-4 yards at most. The Zookers will punt again.
• Lets see if USC can be stopped.
• Booty is tearing apart the Zookers.
• Why Lisa Salters on the sideline over Erin Andrews?
• PICKED OFF : Zookers bring the ball back to the USC 20. Here comes the ZOOKERS!
• Big 3rd and 1 here...Zookers run a QB sneak...First down Zookers
• Why do the USC Song girls have Roses on their shirts?
• My guy Mark over at Pitchforknation says he went to school with one of the song girls. Should I believe him?
• Zookers miss a freaking field goal from about 35 yards out.

END OF 1st QUARTER 14-0 USC.

RANDOM PIC TIME

START OF SECOND QUARTER

• USC punts to the Fighting Zooks.
• Do the Zookers run anything beside an option play?
• Zook punts back to USC...USC to start on the 20.
• USC goes three and out...I am on dinner...be back in 2 minutes.
  
• The Zookers go three and out with 2 solid plays by USC linebackers. The hotdogs were all right but I ate them like I was Kobayshahi. Don't get on me for spelling mistakes on names.
  
• Justin Harrison of The Zookers just lit up Fred Davis. Booty gets sacked on the next play setting up a third and long.
• Red Grange is the top college football player of all-time according to the ABC countdown. I think I was the only member of EC to pick him in my top 5 college running backs. Check it out here. How is Doug Flutie not in the Top 25 All-Time?
  
• Touchdown USC: Washington runs for 4 yards.

TOUCHDOWN USC

• Over/Under on Neuheisel getting NCAA violations at UCLA is at 3.5 years. I take the under.
• Musberger just called out Herbstreit about his sources saying that Miles was going to Michigan.
  
• The Zookers have started throwing the ball down the field and are at the 23 yard line.
  
• Pass interference on USC...The Zookers get the ball on the 16.
  
• FIELD GOAL The Zookers get on the board. 21-3 USC now.
  

• USC takes it to the half up 21-3.

END OF SECOND QUARTER

RANDOM PIC TIME

HALFTIME THOUGHTS: The Fighting Zooks have looked bad throughout the game. USC just has too many athletes for them right now. USC gets the ball to start the second half so it is going to be very important for the Zooks to stop them and change momentum.

You have got to love USC's band. They make my Boston College Eagles band look like a middle school band.

If you guys are looking for something to do during halftime check out my website.

I just saw my first commercial for Dance Wars. Sign me up...I will dance with some hot ballroom dancers. Any Carnies want to join me on the show?

START OF 3rd QUARTER

• USC starts on their own 17 yard line and Fred Davis goes for 20 yards on the two consecutive plays.
  
• USC punts to The Zookers after stalling around the 50 yard line. They will start on the 11 yard line.
• TOUCHDOWN ZOOKERS: Mendenhall breaks a 79 yard run to make this a game.
  

TOUCHDOWN ZOOKERS: USC 21 Zookers 10

• I am shocked that The Zookers have come out and made this a game now. USC needs to respond on this drive. Sorry, I had to put up the Deadspin photo.
  
• Did I just hear that Kevin Mitchell is playing in this game?
  
• Big 3rd and 7 at midfield for USC right now. Hazeltin dropped the ball.
• Musburger...STOP THE PITINO REFERENCES!! There is only one person that can run the Celtics into the ground. It is RICK PITINO.
  
• First and Ten for The Zookers at the 18 yard line.
  
• Mendenhall goes for like 60 yards down to the USC 25 yard line. This kid can play.
• BALL..BALL...BALL...The Zooks recover the fumble.
• BALL..BALL..BALL...The Zooks throw a 24 yard pass down to the 1 yard line and the receiver fumbles the ball. USC recovers the ball in the endzone. First down USC at the 20 yard line after the touchback.
• Joe McKnight goes 64 yard run on a fumbled lateral. USC has the ball down to the Zookers 20 yard line.
• Pass Interference in the endzone on the Zookers. USC first down at the 2 yard line.
• TOUCHDOWN USC Fred Davis and he has to taunt The Zookers.

TOUCHDOWN USC: USC 28 Zookers 10

• The Zookers will start around the 20 yard line.
• First play Juice Williams throws an interception...I am calling the game right now!
• John David Booty finds his fullback for a 36 yard reception. USC first down at the 13 yard line.
• TOUCHDOWN USC: Joe McKnight runs the ball into the endzone from 9 yards out.

TOUCHDOWN USC: USC 35 Zooks 10

• The Zooks have taken the ball down the field here. They are at the USC 35 yard line.
• BALL...BALL...BALL...The Zooks turn the ball over again. First down USC
• Chauncy Washington just breaks loose for 20 yards.
• END OF 3rd QUARTER...USC 35-10
  

RANDOM PIC TIME

START OF FOURTH QUARTER

• This game is pretty much out of hand. I am going to give this a few more minutes but lets be honest Can Zook's boys come back?
• TOUCHDOWN USC: Booty to Ausberry to make it 42-10. I have been nominated to do the Sugar Bowl. We are ending this entry right now so we can set up for the Sugar Bowl.
  Here is your last pic of a USC chick.

I guess I am the only one available tonight as I am now heading over to the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Hawaii. Feel free to join me by clicking here.