Victory Bell Rings
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Penn State vs USC Grades

By Shane Lunnen

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Shane Simmons (34) and cornerback Zech McPhearson (14) enter the field before the 2017 Rose Bowl game against the USC Trojans at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Shane Simmons (34) and cornerback Zech McPhearson (14) enter the field before the 2017 Rose Bowl game against the USC Trojans at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Brandon Bell (11) tackles USC Trojans running back Justin Davis (22) during the first quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Brandon Bell (11) tackles USC Trojans running back Justin Davis (22) during the first quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers

The highlight for this group was Brandon Bell, in his last game as a Nittany Lion, intercepting a pass in the third quarter and running it back inside the USC five to setup a Penn State touchdown.  The low light was Bell leaving the game after that play and returning to the sideline with his arm in a sling.

Jason Cabinda turned in an 11-tackle performance, which led the team.  Unfortunately, this group could get very little pressure on Sam Darnold even when dialing up the blitzes.  Really missed Manny Bowen out there.

Grade: C

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