Trojans in the NFL: Pete Carroll has chance at Super Bowl repeat
Fox broadcaster Terry Bradshaw, third from left, interviews Seattle Coach Pete Carroll after the NFC championship game.
(Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images)
By Lindsey Thiry
Pete Carroll won back-to-back national championships at USC and has a chance to repeat as Super Bowl champions with the Seattle Seahawks after a 28-22 overtime victory against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship game Sunday at CenturyLink Field.
"It's a tremendous accomplishment," Carroll told reporters.
The Seahawks are the first team in 10 years to play in consecutive Super Bowls.
The Seahawks trailed, 19-7, with less than four minutes remaining in the game.
Quarterback Russell Wilson rushed one yard for a touchdown and then special teams, coached by former Trojans assistant Brian Schneider, recovered an on-side kick.
Running back Marshawn Lynch rushed 24 yards for a touchdown and Wilson completed a two-point conversion to give the Seahawks a 22-19 lead.
The Packers kicked a 48-yard field goal to send the game into overtime.
In overtime, Wilson completed a game-winning 35-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse.
The Seahawks play the New England Patriots, who routed the Indianapolis Colts 45-7, in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1 at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Lynch rushed for 157 yards in 25 carries behind an offensive line that is assisted by Pat Ruel, the Trojans' former offensive line coach.
Wilson passed for 209 yards but was sacked five times.
Packers linebacker Clay Matthews had six tackles, including a sack. Nick Perry had four tackles.
"They're terrific, they were all over the place," Carroll said about his former players at USC.
Questions about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.
Lindsey Thiry
Lindsey Thiry is a former general assignment multimedia sports reporter for the Los Angeles Times. She began working for The Times as a contributor to the digital sports report, with a focus on USC football, and left in 2018. Thiry has appeared on nationally televised sports broadcasts on Fox Sports 1. She grew up in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington.
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