SPORTS
January 1, 2009 | Mike Hiserman and Gary Klein
USC and Penn State would have preferred to play in the Bowl Championship Series title game next week in Florida. However, now that the game is finally here, neither seems to regard the 95th Rose Bowl game as a consolation prize.
SPORTS
January 1, 2009 | CHRIS ERSKINE
Good morning, Nittany Nation. On behalf of the humble metropolis of Los Angeles ("The City That Never Sweeps"), we'd like to welcome you to the 2009 Rose Bowl, a day you will remember, even if last night is still a total blur. Our goal? To make you feel at home here. If it helps, just think of L.A. as Scranton by the Sea. Or the Valley Forge of Chin-Tucks. By now, you've probably discovered our region's crown jewel, Pasadena. It is a great town, particularly for people who have trouble chewing.
SPORTS
January 1, 2009 | BILL PLASCHKE
Pete Carroll is leaving the practice field wearing a gray sweatshirt, khakis, athletic shoes. Joe Paterno is headed to the practice field wearing a gray sweatshirt, khakis, athletic shoes. One difference. The cuffs. True to his legend, even on a stroll through a hotel lobby when next to nobody is watching, Paterno's cuffs are rolled up above his shoes, the quintessential 1920s hipster. Says Carroll: "I love those cuffs, I really love them.
SPORTS
January 1, 2009 | Gary Klein
Rey Maualuga has heard the talk, seen the highlights. More important, USC's All-American linebacker spent the season smack dab in the middle of it all. So when college football observers describe USC's defense as the best of the Pete Carroll era, and perhaps one of the top units in college football history, Maualuga just shrugs his broad shoulders. "The best is yet to come," he said matter-of-factly.
SPORTS
December 31, 2008 | Mark Wogenrich
If Penn State offensive guard Rich Ohrnberger doesn't make the NFL, he might have a future in standup comedy. Even Budd Friedman thinks so. "Yeah, I'd book him," the owner of the Improv said. "Absolutely." Penn State had a team-only function this week at the Improv in Hollywood, where comedians Joe Rogan and Pablo Francisco entertained. As did Ohrnberger, the Lions' in-house comic. Teammates chose the senior to present Friedman, the club's owner and founder, with a signed football.
SPORTS
December 31, 2008 | Corina Knoll
Stefen Wisniewski is 19 years old, as thick as the Hulk and as mild as a breeze. He doesn't drink, doesn't curse and spends his nights laboring over textbooks. On Sundays, you'll find him in church, head bowed in prayer, heart filled with scripture. Thursday, you'll find him playing offensive guard at the Rose Bowl, crashing his 6-foot-3, 294-pound body against USC defenders. It's all part of the family business.