USC vs. Penn State: A look at the end of the first half

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Shoulders slumped. Heads hung.

Body language speaks volumes, and the stance of Penn State coaches and players shouted their frustration from the sideline toward the end of the second quarter of the Rose Bowl game. As USC ran the score up to 31-7, the Nittany Lions stared silently at the field and their fans shifted in their seats.

But across the way, the Trojans were celebrating. During a timeout, the USC team ran out onto the field and jumped and cheered together, raising their helmets victoriously as the cardinal-and-gold crowd went crazy. And earlier, some of USC’s players made a chorus line on the sideline, swaying and dancing happily.

Perhaps it’s not time for a Penn State swan song yet. At halftime, the Lions’ marching band took the field and performed an encouraging medley that included this winning tune: ‘We are the Champions.’

-- Corina Knoll