Fans fight on from afar

They wanted to play for the national championship in New Orleans, but playing in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena instead worked out fine for the USC Trojans Tuesday.

It didn’t look as though anyone in Southern California could really complain.

USC crushed Illinois in a 49-17 rout Tuesday in front of thousands of fans in the stadium and even more watching on TV.

“Well, it’s a big deal, especially for us Trojans. We’ve been on a pretty good trip the last three or four years. The celebrations and all that and the game is special,” said Paul Salata, a former USC player and the man behind the infamous Irrelevant Week.

“We want to be in the (Bowl Championship Series) game, but the Rose Bowl is plenty good for us.”

The Rose Bowl proved plenty good for people at Rudy’s Pub and Grill in Newport Beach too. More than a few people in the packed sports bar had on their cardinal and gold.

“’SC finally came to play,” Matt Patterson said between conversations with fellow fans. “[Coach] Pete Carroll has really brought the tradition back to ’SC. Without that, they’re just another college.”

There were a few tense moments early in the game, but before long Rudy’s exploded in cheers, and they didn’t stop until the final whistle.

“You kind of feed off the energy of everyone. Especially when things are going your way,” Patterson said.

You could be forgiven for not thinking Howard Haegeman was there to cheer on the Trojans. The gray-bearded Anaheim resident was decked out in University of Michigan clothes, minus his USC watch. USC played the Wolverines in last year’s Rose Bowl.

“The Rose Bowl is the most beautiful spot in L.A. It don’t get no better,” Haegeman said. “You sit at home cheer, cheer and cheer and no one can hear you. Here, people get into it with you.”

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.