LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- UCLA dealt the second-ranked Southern California Trojans national title hopes a fatal blow Saturday with a 13-9 victory at the Rose Bowl.
Patrick Cowan rushed for a touchdown, Justin Medlock kicked two field goals and Eric McNeal turned back a late Southern California comeback attempt with an interception.
USC had been favored to beat UCLA and face top-ranked Ohio State for the NCAA championship.
Cowan completed 12-of-21 passes for 114 yards, and rushed for another 55 yards for the Bruins (7-5, 5-4 Pac-10) -- who ended a seven-game losing streak to USC. Marcus Everett made five catches for 72 yards in the win.
Saturday's loss was on the same field that saw the Trojans fail to win their second straight National Championship last year, when Texas won, 41-38.
USC will return to the Rose Bowl as Pac-10 champions, but without national title hopes. The final BCS standings and bowl pairings will be announced Sunday.
John David Booty passed for 274 yards, but failed to throw a touchdown for the Trojans (10-2, 7-2).
