A party broke out on Penn State's sideline the moment the roses started being handed out.
Every player had flowers in their hands, in their teeth and in their helmets. Screams of "We Are . . . Penn State," volleyed from the bench, into the stands, and back to the sideline. Water coolers were emptied on unsuspecting coaches.
The was still more than four minutes remaining in the game, but for the No. 7 Nittany Lions, the celebration had already begun. Every Penn State player knew they had accomplished their goal of a Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl berth with a 49-18 win over No. 15 Michigan State.
It was Penn State's second Big Ten crown in four years, third overall, and first trip to Pasadena since the 1994-95 season. It was also Penn State's 800th win in program history, becoming just the sixth program to achieve that mark.
But this championship felt different than the one won in 2005, according to senior linebacker Tyrell Sales. Sales said he and his teammates have dreamed of going to the Rose Bowl ever since placing a "Rose Bowl Champions," banner in his apartment during his sophomore year.
"It's been our backgrounds on our computers and stuff like that, it's always been our goal," Sales said. "And to finally obtain that goal and get a chance to go out to Pasadena, I can't wait."
Senior defensive end Josh Gaines, who helped lead a stout defensive line that held Michigan State running back Javon Ringer to 42 yards on 17 carries (98 yards below his season average, said the experience was indescribable.
He said there were so many different emotions running through his mind that he had trouble staying composed. On one hand, Gaines said he can't be more excited to wear his second Big Ten crown.
Meanwhile, he said the win is bittersweet because he'll never have a chance to play in Beaver Stadium.
"You'll never experience an environment like that ever again, nothing like Penn State no matter where it is," Gaines said. "If I go to the next level and play, I'll never be able to have an environment like this again."
Penn State coach Joe Paterno said it was a fitting end for a group he said never stopped working, even in the face of adversity.
He said he's as proud of this group of players as any he's ever coached, even saying the loss at Iowa, which most likely cost the Lions a chance to play for a national title, didn't put too much of a damper on this season.
"I've enjoyed every minute of it, except a couple weeks ago I didn't enjoy every minute of it," Paterno said. "But other than that it's been great."
Sales said winning the title in front of its home crowd made the experience even sweeter.
Being able to hoist the trophy in front of the student section, with chants of "Joe-Pa-Ter-No," raining from the stands is something he said he'll never forget.
And as for those roses, Sales said they'll find their way to his "man room," when he someday buys a house.
"If you were gonna sit down and write it up, and say, 'how would I like my career to end?' I don't think anybody that ever put on a blue jersey would say they wouldn't want it to end with a Big Ten championship," Sales said. "I can't ask for anything more. I've been blessed to be a part of this."
