Rose Bowl: USC vs. Texas

A USC fan shows his colors during pregame festivities at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

Longhorn fan Zack Balkin rallies with fellow fans from a trucktop.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

Parachutists float down from the sky before the national championship game at the Rose Bowl.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

USC student Mark Austin channels his inner Trojan.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

USC fans swarm the team buses as they arrive for the championship game.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

USC players take the field before the championship game.  (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)

Aaron Ross of the Texas Longhorns fumbles on the first punt return of the game as he is hit by Trojan safety Scott Ware.  (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)

Aaron Ross of Texas fumbles at midfield.  (Robert Gauthier / LAT)

USC players celebrate after recovering a fumble early in the game.  (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)

USC running back LenDale White scores the first touchdown of the game on a four-yard run against the Texas Longhorns.  (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)

USC’s LenDale White heads for the end zone.  (Robert Gauthier / LAT)

Heisman winner Reggie Bush, left, and LenDale White celebrate White’s touchdown, which put the Trojans up 7-0 in the first quarter.  (Alexander Gallardo / LAT)

USC’s David Kirtman hauls in a 24-yard pass from quarterback Matt Leinart during the first quarter.  (Wally Skalij / LAT)

USC tailback Reggie Bush heads upfield during the first quarter.  (Wally Skalij / LAT)

Selvin Young of the Longhorns is tackled by a swarm of Trojans.  (Alexander Gallardo / LAT)

USC’s Reggie Bush tries to lateral the ball to Brad Walker, resulting in a fumble in second-quarter action.  (Robert Gauthier / LAT)

The Texas defense stops USC’s LenDale White on 4th and 2 late in the second quarter.  (Lori Shepler / LAT)

Longhorns quarterback Vince Young laterals to Selvin Young to score the team’s first touchdown of the game.  (Robert Gauthier / LAT)

Running back Ramonce Taylor crosses the goal line to cap a 30-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, giving Texas a 16-7 lead over USC.  (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)

USC safety Scott Ware celebrates after forcing a fumble in the first quarter.  (Wally Skalij / LAT)

USC tailback Reggie Bush tries to break free from Texas defensive end Tim Crowder during the first quarter.  (Alexander Gallardo / LAT)

USC’s Brandon Ting tries to wrap up Texas quarterback Vince Young.  (Alexander Gallardo / LAT)

USC’s Mario Danelo kicks a field goal in second-quarter action.  (Alexander Gallardo / LAT)

Texas cornerback Tarell Brown chases down USC quarterback Matt Leinart during the second quarter.  (GIna Ferazzi / LAT)

Texas quarterback Vince Young laterals the ball to Selvin Young for a touchdown in the second quarter.  (GIna Ferazzi / LAT)

Texas quarterback Vince Young is sacked in second-quarter action.  (Wally Skalij / LAT)

Michael Griffin of the Longhorns intercepts the ball on USC’s goal line during the second quarter.  (Wally Skalij / LAT)

USC’s Reggie Bush is dejected after fumbling in second-quarter action against Texas at the Rose Bowl.  (Wally Skalij / LAT)

USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett is upended by a Longhorn defender.  (Wally Skalij / LAT)

USC quarterback Matt Leinart recovers from a hard tackle after a 14-yard gain in the second quarter.  (Wally Skalij / LAT)

USC offensive tackle Sam Baker takes down Texas linebacker Robert Killebrew as Matt Leinart looks for an open receiver.  (Wally Skalij / LAT)

USC’s LenDale White goes into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game for the Trojans.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

USC running back LenDale White scores his third touchdown against the Longhorns.  (Robert Gauthier / LAT)

Texas quarterback Vince Young goes over USC’s Josh Pinkard to score a third-quarter touchdown for the Longhorns.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

USC’s LenDale White scores his third touchdown of the game.  (Lori Shepler / LAT)

USC’s Reggie Bush scores in fourth-quarter action against Texas.  (Wally Skalij / LAT)

USC tight end Dominique Byrd takes down Texas Longhorn Michael Huff after hauling in a pass in the third quarter.  (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)

Texas quarterback Vince Young picks yardage during a third quarter run.  (Alexander Gallardo / LAT)

Texas quarterback Vince Young is tackled after a long run in third quarter action against USC.  (Robert Gauthier / LAT)

USC tight end Dominique Byrd hauls in a pass from Matt Leinart in the third quarter.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

Texas Longhorn quarterback Vince Young scores the winning touch down at the end of the fourth quarter.  (Lori Shepler / LAT)

On a controversial play, Texas quarterback Vince Young rushed for 11 yards then lateraled to Selvin Young who scored a touchdown.  (Robert Gauthier / LAT)

Texas Longhorn Vince Young reflects on winning the national championship game.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

USC Quarterback Matt Leinart walks off the field while Texas Longhorns celebrate following their victory.  (Wally Skalij / LAT)

A dejected Reggie Bush walks off the field after Texas defeated USC to win the national championship.  (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)

Texas coach Mack Brown celebrates with Vince Young, middle, and Michael Huff after winning the national championship.  (Robert Gauthier / LAT)

Texas quarterback Vince Young and head coach Mack Brown celebrate after defeating USC.  (Robert Gauthier / LAT)