2008 Rose Bowl: USC 49, Illinois 17

USC’s Desmond Reed does a front flip after crossing the goal line with the Trojans’ second touchdown of the game against Illinois in the 94th Rose Bowl on Tuesday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC safety Taylor Mays gets in a shove as he battles Illinois’ Jacob Willis in the first quarter Tuesday at the Rose Bowl.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC linebacker Brian Cushing tips a pass by Illinois quarterback Juice Williams in the first quarter of the Rose Bowl on Tuesday. The pass was intercepted by USC linebacker Rey Maualuga, setting up the Trojans’ second score of the game.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

USC punter Greg Woidneck loses the handle on the snap in the first quarter of the 94th Rose Bowl game on Tuesday. Woidneck was able to avoid the rush and get the punt away.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

Trojans cornerback Terrell Thomas tackles Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall with an assist from teammate Kaluka Maiava during the first quarter of the 94th Rose Bowl game on Tuesday.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Illinois Coach Ron Zook talks with Arrelious Benn as he comes off the field in the first quarter of the 94th Rose Bowl game on Tuesday.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

USC linebacker Rey Maualuga knocks the ball loose from Illinois quarterback Juice Williams in the second quarter of the 94th Rose Bowl game Tuesday. The Illini retained possession on the play.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Illinois quarterback Juice Williams can’t escape the grasp of USC defensive end Lawrence Jackson in the second quarter of the 94th Rose Bowl game on Tuesday.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

USC linebacker Rey Maualuga and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis pound Illinois quarterback Juice Williams and knock the ball out of his grasp in the second quarter Tuesday. Illinois recovered the fumble.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall outruns the defense of USC for a 79-yard touchdown in the third quarter Tuesday.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall celebrates his 79-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of the Rose Bowl game. The touchdown brought the Illini to within 21-10 of USC.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

USC’s Kaluka Maiava knocks the ball out of the arms of Illinois’ Jacob Willis, who was inside the 10-yard line after a reception in the third quarter Tuesday. USC recovered the fumble to end the scoring threat.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

USC Coach Pete Carroll raises his arms as Cary Harris returns an intercepted pass during the third quarter of the 94th Rose Bowl game on Tuesday.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

USC cheerleaders begin celebrating when Trojans tight end Fred Davis scores a touchdown in the third quarter Tuesday.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

USC running back Joe McKnight runs for 65 yards after picking up a dropped lateral in the third quarter of the 94th Rose Bowl game on Tuesday. The play set up a touchdown, which began a scoring run by the Trojans that led to a 49-17 victory over Illinois.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC running back Joe McKnight gets lifted by teammate David Ausberry after a long run in the fourth quarter of the 94th Rose Bowl game on Tuesday. McKnight would finish with 206 all-purpose yards.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC quarterback John David Booty was selected offensive player of the game for his 255-yard, three-touchdown performance in the 94th Rose Bowl game on Tuesday. Booty set a Rose Bowl career record with seven touchdown passes.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

USC’s Stafon Johnson runs for a 65-yard gain as Illinois’ Dere Hicks dives in vain in the fourth quarter of the 94th Rose Bowl game on Tuesday. Johnson finished with 104 yards rushing in nine carries.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)