PENN STATE AND USC TO PLAY IN THE 95th ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY CITI

PASADENA, Calif. – The BCS ranked No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions and No. 5 Southern California Trojans will play in the 95th Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi, Tournament of Roses President Corky Conzonire announced today.

The 95th Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi will kick off Thursday, January 1, at 2:10 p.m. PST (5:10 p.m. EST) at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena with pre-game festivities starting at 1:30 p.m. PST (4:30 p.m. EST). The game will be televised nationally on ABC with Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Lisa Salters.

“We are thrilled to have two outstanding, historic football programs in this year’s contest,” Conzonire said. “This will mark the 95th Rose Bowl Game and a special moment in our history as these teams faced each other in Pasadena in the inaugural game at the Rose Bowl Stadium in 1923.”

Penn State finished the regular season 11-1 overall and 7-1 in conference play, tying for first in the Big Ten Conference along with Ohio State. The Nittany Lions will be making their third appearance in the Rose Bowl Game. They are 1-1 in Rose Bowl Game appearances.

USC also finished the regular season 11-1 overall, 8-1 in conference play and champions of the Pac-10 Conference. The Trojans will be making their 33rd appearance in the Rose Bowl Game. They are 23-9 in Rose Bowl Game appearances.

Penn State and USC meet for the ninth time in history; the last time was on August 27, 2000, in the Kickoff Classic XVIII (East Rutherford, NJ) when the Trojans defeated the Nittany Lions, 29-5. Penn State is bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive time since 2006 while USC will be making its eighth consecutive bowl appearance and NCAA record seventh consecutive BCS game.

The Tournament of Roses, Big Ten Conference and Pac-10 Conference entered into its bowl partnership agreement in 1946. Modified in 1960, it is the oldest college football agreement between two major conferences in the United States. Since its inception, the two conferences have met 61 times in the Rose Bowl Game.

The 95th Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi is sold-out. For more information please visit www.tournamentofroses.com.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses
The 120th Rose Parade themed Hats Off to Entertainment will take place Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009 at 8 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands showcasing the best in entertainment. Following the Rose Parade, the 95th Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi, will feature an exciting match-up between two championship teams, once again showcasing the best of collegiate football. The ABC broadcast of the Game will begin at 2 p.m. (PST). For additional information on Tournament of Roses please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (USC)