Michigan State 20 USC 17
After 16 losses in the last 18 Rose Bowl games, the Big Ten is ready for some relief, which is provided by coach George Perles of Michigan State, a rugged coach who asks no favors or gives any. Perles' 8-2-1 Spartans defeat Larry Smith's 8-3 USC 20-17. The Trojans have a chance to pull it out after John Langeloh breaks a 17-17 tie with a 36-yard field goal four minutes before the finish. USC drives to the Spartan 30 when quarterback Rodney Peete can't handle center John Katnik's snap, the ball recovered by Michigan State's Todd Krumm. Lorenzo White gains 113 yards and scores two touchdowns for the Perles, and Langeloh winds up with two field goals. Linebacker Percy Snow makes 17 tackles for the Spartans. Peete throws two touchdown passes to Ken Henry and runs 54 yards himself, but one slippery muff costs him.