A two-point conversion in the final three minutes took another national championship away from the Buckeyes in a heartbreaking Rose Bowl defeat. Coach John McKay’s Trojans dominated much of the first half but trailed 7-3 at the break thanks to fullback Champ Henson’s two-yard scoring burst. Ohio State seemed to take control in the fourth quarter, grabbing a 17-10 edge in the final five minutes.

But USC quarterback Pat Haden hit J.K. McKay with a 38-yard scoring strike with just over two minutes remaining. The Trojans went for the victory and got it when Haden hit a wide-open Shelton Diggs in the end zone for the conversion pass.

OSU had a final chance and marched just into USC territory, but Tom Skladany’s field goal from near midfield was short as time expired. USC captured the UPI national title and the Buckeyes finished 10-2, ranked No. 3 by UPI.