Team is embracing challenge

Those murmurs about USC being the better Rose Bowl team? Sounds like the setup to a great challenge, says Tom Bradley, Penn State’s defensive coordinator.

“You’d like to come and have the opportunity to play somebody who’s better than you, who you feel you can compete [against], challenge yourself and see how good you are,” he said. “It’s no fun playing somebody that’s not good. And they’re good.”

Local hero

The Penn State player who may have the most fans in the Rose Bowl stands is senior cornerback Lydell Sargeant, who rounded up enough extra tickets to enable 25 friends and family members to attend Thursday’s game.

“Luckily enough, a lot of the freshman parents aren’t traveling so I snagged up a couple tickets,” he told reporters Sunday at downtown hotel. “I just pulled that my-last-game sympathy role.”

The 21-year-old graduated from Lompoc Cabrillo High and says he’s been playing tour guide to teammates.

Sargeant is used to leading the way at Penn State. The kinesiology major was heavily involved in on-campus voting efforts during the presidential campaign. In addition to working the polls and speaking to students, he introduced Barack Obama, now the president-elect, at a March rally attended by more than 20,000 people. The moment outshone anything he has ever experienced on the field, Sargeant said.

“To be able to meet the president of the United States, and especially the first African American president, has to be No. 1 on my list as far as things I’ve been able to do,” he said.

Where’s the beef?

Take one Daryll Clark, add one Josh Gaines and throw in a Derrick Williams and you’ve got about 700 pounds -- roughly the same amount of beef the Nittany Lions consumed Saturday at Lawry’s restaurant.

Greeted by a band that played the school fight song, the Nittany Lions walked the red carpet of the Beverly Hills restaurant for the 53rd year of the Beef Bowl, a pre-Rose Bowl tradition, and went to work on 12-ounce cuts of meat.

“I only had two prime ribs,” safety Mark Rubin said. “Our punter Ryan Breen actually had three, so I was a little bit embarrassed that I got out-eaten by a punter.”

According to Todd Johnson, Lawry’s general manager, the restaurant goes through about 1,700 pounds of beef on a Saturday evening, although that number tends to serve up to 1,200 people.

Where’s the party?

Tyrell Sales will turn 23 on New Year’s Day. Obviously, the linebacker is hoping Jan. 1 will give him reason to celebrate.

“I’ve had a great trip so far,” he said. “To go out there and play against a great USC team and get a big win? You couldn’t ask for a better birthday.”

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corina.knoll@latimes.com