Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/768693
forget. On an afternoon on which he racked up 187 yards and a pair of touch- downs, the sophomore phenom proved his ability to dazzle most clearly on the long score. BEST CATCHThe second of the iconic Rose Bowl plays was, quite possibly, the most incredible of afternoon full of spectacular receptions by Godwin. Fac- ing man coverage, the junior receiver leapt over Southern Cal cornerback Iman Marshall, bobbled the ball twice, and reeled it in to pull off a 72-yard touchdown reception as the Trojans' defense helplessly looked on. WORST DROPDeAndre Thompkins could not have dreamed up a more nightmarish start to his Rose Bowl ap- pearance in place of Saeed Blacknall. First, he miscommunicated with Mc- Sorley on Penn State's initial play from scrimmage, leading to an interception. Then, with the Lions driving, McSorley threw behind him, and the ball bounced off his hands. McSorley's pass was in- tercepted by Adoree' Jackson, leading to a Trojans touchdown. BEST HITSam Darnold intended to throw a late-third-quarter pass to Justin Davis in the flat. Penn State line- backer Jason Cabinda intended other- wise, leaving the Trojans running back desperate for air on the Rose Bowl Sta- dium turf. BEST EFFORTBrandon Bell walked off the field with what appeared to be an arm injury in the third quarter, and he didn't return in his final game as a Nit- tany Lion. He can take solace in the fact that his final collegiate play was a re- markable, tip-drill interception to set up McSorley's 3-yard TD run on the next play. BEST KICKCapping what will in- evitably be remembered as one of the most captivating and scintillating Rose Bowls of all time, Matt Boermeester hit a 46-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Trojans onto the field in celebration and leaving Penn State and its fans dejected. J A N U A R Y 3 , 2 0 1 7 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 5 Cabinda laid a big hit on Davis in the third quar- ter on an overthrown pass by Darnold. The junior linebacker, who had announced a few days earlier that he in- tends to return for his final season at Penn State, finished the Rose Bowl with a game-high 11 tackles Photo by Steve Manuel