Coming off four consecutive Rose Bowl appearances, the Trojans essentially have known nothing else but a trip to Pasadena on New Years Day.
Save for a few exceptions, that is.
Soon all 108 players on the roster will participate in a postseason game other than the Rose Bowl when the Emerald Bowl kicks off on Dec. 26, but as of now, only four current Trojans have played in a bowl other than the Rose, including two with other programs. Take a look:
- Sixth-year senior defensive back Josh Pinkard, then a freshman, saw action in the 2005 Orange Bowl, recording two tackles and a fumble recovery in USC’s 55-19 title-clinching victory over Oklahoma.
- Sixth-year senior offensive lineman Jeff Byers appeared as a backup freshman center in the 2005 Orange Bowl as the Trojans stormed to the BCS championship.
- Senior kicker Jordan Congdon played in bowls during both his freshman and sophomore seasons at Nebraska. In the 2005 Alamo Bowl, Congdon hit three extra points and a field goal and in the Cotton Bowl following the 2006 season, he connected on two extra points. Congdon transferred to USC in 2007.
- Junior quarterback Mitch Mustain came off the bench in the 2007 Capital One Bowl as a freshman QB at Arkansas, completing 5-of-10 passes for 41 yards. Mustain transferred to USC in summer 2007.