THE ROSE BOWL | USC 28, MICHIGAN 14

FIRST QUARTER IN REVIEW

RUSHING LEADERS

Michigan

C. Perry...8 carries, 29 yards

USC

L. White...1 carry, 5 yards

RECEIVING LEADERS

Michigan

S. Breaston...3 catches, 36 yards

USC

R. Bush...2 catches, 42 yards

PASSING LEADERS

Michigan

J. Navarre...7-10, 67 yards

USC

M. Leinart...6-7, 99 yards, 1 TD

Big play: After taking the opening kickoff and driving to the USC 30-yard line, Michigan settled for a field-goal attempt that was blocked by Trojan defensive tackle Shaun Cody, who swatted the ball away with his right hand.

Key statistic: USC quarterback Matt Leinart completed his first six passes and finished the quarter six for seven for 99 yards and a touchdown. Four Trojans caught at least one pass.

Also: On USC’s first possession, the Trojans needed only four plays to drive 54 yards to score on a 25-yard pass from Leinart to Keary Colbert. All four plays in the drive were passes.

Analysis: Michigan started strong behind quarterback John Navarre, who completed seven of 10 passes, but the Wolverines hurt themselves with a dropped pass, possibly a touchdown pass, by Braylon Edwards and the blocked field goal.

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SECOND QUARTER IN REVIEW

RUSHING LEADERS

Michigan

C. Perry...5 carries, 20 yards

USC

L. White...4 carries, 8 yards

RECEIVING LEADERS

Michigan

B. Edwards...2 catches, 16 yards

USC

M. Williams...2 catches, 18 yards

PASSING LEADERS

Michigan

J. Navarre...4-9-1, 35 yards

USC

M. Leinart...5-8, 59 yards, 1 TD

Big play: On third and 18 from its nine-yard line, Michigan turned the ball over when Navarre’s pass hit Edwards’ foot and deflected into the hands of USC linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who returned the interception 26 yards to the Michigan three.

Key statistic: In the first half, USC had only two net rushing yards. LenDale White was the top Trojan ballcarrier with 13 yards in five carries.

Also: USC freshman defensive lineman Manual Wright didn’t play much during the regular season, but he stepped up with two key plays to stop Michigan’s final drive of the half. Wright, on consecutive plays, recorded a sack and deflected a third-down pass, forcing the Wolverines to punt.

Analysis: The Wolverines did a good job of slowing USC’s high-scoring offense, mainly by applying pressure on Leinart. Michigan’s offense, however, had trouble completing drives.

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THIRD QUARTER IN REVIEW

RUSHING LEADERS

Michigan

C. Perry...7 carries, 35 yards

USC

R. Bush...2 carries, 28 yards

RECEIVING LEADERS

Michigan

S. Breaston...3 catches, 25 yards

USC

K. Colbert...3 catches, 78 yards

PASSING LEADERS

Michigan

J. Navarre...8-15, 70 yards

USC

M. Leinart...8-10, 122 yards

Big play: The Trojans capped their first possession of the second half with a brilliant one-handed catch by Colbert, who fought off defender Jeremy LeSueur for a 47-yard touchdown to make it 21-0.

Key statistics: Although Michigan moved the ball well throughout the quarter, the Wolverines managed only one touchdown. USC allowed 237 total yards over the first three quarters but only seven points.

Also: On USC’s second touchdown of the quarter, Trojan offensive coordinator Norm Chow dug into his bag of tricks when wide receiver Mike Williams completed a 28-yard pass to Leinart.

Analysis: The Trojans’ ability to keep Michigan’s defense guessing played a key role on both USC touchdown drives in the quarter. When the Wolverines thought pass, USC ran the ball. When Michigan guessed run, USC passed.

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FOURTH QUARTER IN REVIEW

RUSHING LEADERS

Michigan

C. Perry...3 carries, 1 yard

USC

R. Bush...5 carries, 16 yards

RECEIVING LEADERS

Michigan

B. Edwards...3 catches, 43 yards

USC

G. Guenther...1 catch, 19 yards

PASSING LEADERS

Michigan

J. Navarre...8-12, 99 yards

USC

M. Leinart...4-9, 47 yards

Big plays: Attempting a late rally following a fumble by USC, the Wolverines drove to near midfield before the Trojans’ Kenechi Udeze and Dallas Sartz made consecutive sacks of Navarre to end Michigan’s last hope.

Key statistic: USC’s pass rush gave Michigan trouble all day with the Trojans sacking Navarre nine times. During the regular season, USC averaged slightly fewerthan four sacks a game.

Also: After Perry scored for Michigan to cut USC’s lead to 28-14 early in the quarter, Wolverine supporters tried to keep the momentum going but the Trojans put together a long, time-consuming drive.

Analysis: USC may not have won in a blowout but the Trojans made enough big plays to defeat a solid Michigan team. The difference was USC’s ability to protect Leinart.

-- Lonnie White