College Football: Top 5 Bowl Games of the 2016 Season

6 of 6

January 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive back Leon McQuay III (22) intercepts a pass intended for Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) during the second half of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Rose Bowl – USC 52, Penn State 49

Not only was this the best bowl game so far, quite possibly the best game of the entire season.

The game got off to an entertaining start on the game’s very first offensive play. USC corner Iman Marshall hauling in an interception was preceded by another interception by Adoree’ Jackson two drives later. The Jackson INT led to a 26-yard touchdown pass from QB Sam Darnold to receiver Deontay Burnett for a 7-0 lead.

More from NFL Mocks

A 3-yard touchdown hookup from Darnold to Burnett gave USC a 20-7 lead in the second quarter and made things very interesting for the Trojans.

A 21-point second quarter by Penn State was capped by tight end Mike Gesicki hauling in an 11-yard touchdown. The score narrowed the deficit to 27-21 with under a minute left in the first half.

Penn State exploded for a 28-point third quarter in which their first three drives were 1-play touchdown drives. Running back Saquan Barkley scored from seven yards out to extend the Penn State lead to 49-35 late in the third quarter.

Late in the fourth, Darnold found Burnett again for a 27-yarder to tie the game at 49. On the following drive, PSU QB Trace McSorley was picked off by USC’s Leon McQuay III and returned 32 yards. The interception placed USC in field goal range, which kicker Matt Boermeester launched from 46 yards out as time expired, giving USC the epic Rose Bowl victory.

Home/ACC