Freshman Darnold pulls out Rose Bowl for the ages

Not even a starter in the first month of the season, Sam Darnold is now a Rose Bowl champion, after leading USC to a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Penn State, 52-49.

Darnold's five touchdown passes were a Rose Bowl record, while his 453 passing yards were three shy of the record, earning him offensive MVP honors.

The redshirt freshman was at his best when the Trojans needed him most; down a touchdown with 1:59 on the clock, Darnold orchestrated an 80-yard drive in 39 seconds to tie the game up.

In the fourth quarter alone, Darnold was 10-for-10 for 138 yards and a touchdown, when the Trojans trailed 49-35 and 49-42.

After losing the first start of his career to Utah on a last second touchdown, Darnold guided the Trojans to a nine-game winning streak, capped off with a Rose Bowl championship.

For the season as a starter, Darnold threw for 2,950 yards and 29 touchdowns against eight interceptions in 10 games, on his way to being named the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.