USC Trojans star cornerback Adoree’ Jackson came up with a big pick in the 2017 Rose Bowl that led to the offense opening up the scoring.
Adoree’ Jackson has not yet decided whether or not he’s headed for the 2017 NFL Draft or returning to the USC Trojans last year. Subsequently, no one really knows if the 2017 Rose Bowl will be the star cornerback’s final college game of his career. If it is, though, he’s going to make sure that he goes out doing what he’s done throughout his time in SoCal: making plays.
The USC defense came up big early in the first quarter when Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley threw a bad interception when his receiver stopped running. However, that one wasn’t wholly on him and the defense stood tall. His second interception, in which Jackson got involved, did not follow that same pattern in either regard.
McSorley dropped back looking to the flats on the right sideline. However, he led his receiver a bit too much with the throw and it went off of his fingertips and up into the air. Wouldn’t you know it, there was Jackson right in position to make a play on the ball, securing it and then putting together a nice return to set up the Trojans with strong field position and another shot on the offensive side of the ball:
While Jackson didn’t make a play on the initial throw, it speaks volumes about him that he was in a position to make the pick—or make the tackle had the throw been on target. He’s a ballhawk in the highest regard and then has the ability to make plays once he gets the rock.
Following the interception and good field position, USC drove down the field and Sam Darnold delivered a strike on a beautiful play for the first points of the Rose Bowl. Whenever Jackson, Darnold, and both sides of the ball for USC are making plays like that, they’re tough to beat for Penn State, or anyone else.