As Penn State said goodbye to 17 seniors, the Nittany Lions said hello, California.
The Lions cruised past Michigan State, 49-18, Saturday evening before 109,845 fans on a chilly Senior Day and clinched their first Rose Bowl appearance since the 1994 season.
By the time backup quarterback Pat Devlin connected with Deon Butler for a 59-yard touchdown, chants of "Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl" from the student sections serenaded the team.
Devlin entered after a nearly flawless game from Daryll Clark, who finished with 341 passing yards and four touchdowns. The passing yards were the sixth most in Penn State history.
Penn State's opponent hasn't been determined, but Rose Bowl representative Gina Chappin confirmed before the game there will be a rematch against Oregon State if the Beavers win out. The Rose Bowl's agreement with the Pac-10 ensures the conference's champion is an automatic qualifier to the Rose Bowl regardless of a possible rematch.
The Lions beat Oregon State, 45-14, in the second week of the season.
Michigan State running back Javon Ringer, who was third in the country in rushing yards, ended the first quarter with negative 2 rushing yards.
