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PASADENA, Calif. - USC's 28-14 victory Thursday against Michigan and potential national title capped a swift return to glory under third-year coach Pete Carroll.
Carroll, 52, was hired before the 2001 season and inherited a fallen empire. From 1950-89, USC lost five or more games eight times. From 1990-2001, it did so nine times.
Carroll, a Pacific alum, resurrected the dynasty, which won eight national titles from 1928-78, by rejuvenating the program. Though he coached in the NFL from 1984-2000, Carroll brought college-style enthusiasm and infectious energy.
"He's so loose and so confident," star quarterback Matt Leinart said. "You want to go out and fight for him."
Still, Carroll got off to a woeful start. The Trojans began 2001 1-4. Since then, though, USC is 20-1. "We feel like we're just getting going," Carroll said.
AREA FLAVOR: A 47-yard field goal on the opening possession by Michigan's Garrett Rivas, a freshman from Jesuit High, was blocked. But he was 2-for-2 on extra points. Plant graduate Mike Williams, USC's star receiver, had eight catches for 88 yards. USC sophomore Mike Ross, a backup safety from St. Petersburg Catholic, did not play because of a concussion.
"I didn't get to play, but it feels great," Ross said. "This is what I came here for."
OLD SCHOOL: Traditionalists enjoyed the classic matchup between the Pac-10 and Big Ten powerhouses. From 1947-2001, the Rose Bowl pitted teams from those two leagues.
It joined the BCS in 1998, and in 2002, Miami and Nebraska played for the national title and ended the Big Ten-Pac-10 streak.
Last year, Oklahoma of the Big 12 played Washington State of the Pac-10. OVERLOOKED: Williams, a sophomore, almost certainly will leave USC with every meaningful receiving record, but senior Keary Colbert surpassed Kareem Kelly's career reception mark Thursday with 207. (Williams has 176.)
Colbert's one-handed scoring grab to put USC up 21-0 early in the third was legendmaking.
"That's a catch for all-time," Carroll said. "That should be remembered forever."
Colbert had six catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
"For him to go out like that is unbelievable," Leinart said. "I told him it's an honor to be playing with him."
RECORD QB: Michigan's John Navarre finished fourth all-time in the Big Ten in passing yards with 9,254 and third in touchdowns with 72. Both are school records.
SOUNDS FAMILIAR: Sophomore linebacker Lofa Tatupu, USC's leading tackler this season, is the son of former USC and NFL star Mosi Tatupu. His second-quarter interception led to a touchdown.
ROSES: Michigan dropped to 8-10 in the Rose Bowl. It had won its past two, most recently 21-16 against Washington State in 1998, earning a share of the national title.
STREAKERS: Michigan played in a bowl game for the 29th consecutive season, the second-longest streak behind Nebraska's 34.