USC 28 Michigan 14

USC, top-ranked in the polls, but excluded from the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game, handled No. 4-ranked Michigan 28-14 in the Rose Bowl to claim the Associated Press National Championship. USC quarterback Matt Leinart accounted for four touchdowns and a punishing Trojan defense led to the victory. Leinart earned Most Outstanding Player honors by completing 23-of-34 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions against a Michigan defense ranked sixth in the nation against the pass. Leinart threw two touchdown passes to flanker Keary Colbert, who had six receptions for 149 yards, and one to tailback LenDale White to move USC out to a 21-0 lead early in the third quarter. Michigan quarterback John Navarre pulled the Wolverines within 21-7 with a third-quarter touchdown pass, but USC all but clinched it on a spectacular play that had Leinart catching a touchdown pass from All-America split end Mike Williams. A short touchdown run by Michigan All-America tailback Chris Perry accounted for the final 28-14 margin.

As large a hand as Leinart and his offensive mates had in the victory, it was USC's defensive line that was the dominant force in the game. The Trojans registered nine sacks for 69 yards in losses against a Michigan offensive front that had surrendered just 15 all season. All-America defensive end Kenechi Udeze led the way with three sacks. "You have to give the guys up front the credit for the havoc they created," Michigan Coach Lloyd Carr said in citing USC's defensive front as the difference in the game. Trojan middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu had a game-high 12 tackles plus an interception. Despite all the sacks and the constant pressure, Navarre completed 27-of-46 passes for 271 yards and one touchdown.

Wolverine split end Brayton Edwards had 10 receptions for 107 yards.