USC 18 Ohio State 17
The Woody Hayes Show continues in his third of four straight Rose Bowl appearances but John McKay of USC gets the last cigar as his Trojans (10-1) nip Ohio State 18-17. Despite two field goals by Chris Limahelu and a Jim Obradovich touchdown catch of a Pat Haden pass, USC trails 17-10 because of touchdowns by Buckeyes Champ Henson and Cornelius Greene and a Tom Klaban field goal. Then USC wins it in spectacular fashion with 2:03 left on the clock. Sub Allen Carter (75 yards) carries on for injured Anthony Davis and spearheads the winning drive before Haden fires a 36-yard touchdown pass to McKay's son, J.K., and a two-point conversion pass to Shelton Diggs. Johnny McKay ends his Rose Bowl career with a 5-3 record, tying Howard Jones for victories.