Los Angeles, Calif. – There were 31 current Oregon players on the team in 2012 when No. 4 Oregon beat No. 10 Wisconsin 45-38 in the Rose Bowl. On Thursday, those 31 will try win the Rose Bowl for the second time in their collegiate careers.
Before the Ducks takes the field against Florida State on New Years Day, let’s take a look back at No. 4 Oregon’s 45-38 victory over No. 10 Wisconsin.
First quarter
The first quarter of the Rose Bowl was nothing short of two offenses matching each other jab-for-jab – a sign of more things to come in this game. Badgers quarterback Russell Wilson started the shootout with a seven-play, 77-yard drive that culminated with a 38-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jared Abbrederis.
The Ducks responded with a seven-play touchdown drive of their own. Quarterback Daron Thomas found wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei on a 35-yard pass completion down to the one. LaMichael James plunged in from one yard out to even the game at seven.
Wisconsin running back, and Heisman finalist Montee Ball highlighted the Badgers second drive when he took a pass from Wilson 30-yards to the Oregon four yard line. Wilson finished off the drive with a four-yard scamper to reclaim the lead, 14-7.
Both teams’ defenses took turns forcing the opposition to punt. However, on the final play of the quarter, from its own nine-yard line, Oregon gave the ball to freshman De’Anthony Thomas who sprinted 91 yards for the game tying score.
Second quarter
After Wisconsin scored on its first drive to open the quarter, Thomas found running back Kenjon Barner on a wheel route down the left sideline for a 54-yard touchdown to tie the game at 21.
After the Ducks defense forced a stop, Wisconsin Mike Taylor sacked and forced a fumble on Daron Thomas. Louis Nzegwu picked the ball up and ran 33 yards for a defensive touchdown.
Oregon tied the game up at 28 with 35 seconds left in the first half on a three yard touchdown pass from Thomas to Tuinei.
Third quarter
De’Anthony Thomas struck again on a 64-yard touchdown run on the team’s first possession of the second half. He finished with two carries for 155 yards and two touchdowns. In response, the Badgers drove down the field before kicker Philip Welch hit a 29-yard field goal to make the score 35-31.
With five minutes left in the third, Wilson and the Badgers took a 38-35 lead after he hit wide receiver Nick Toon for an 18-yard score.
Linebacker Kiko Alonso made a spectacular diving interception to halt Wisconsin’s final drive of the quarter.
Fourth quarter
After the Alonso pick, quarterback Daron Thomas fund Tuinei for his second touchdown catch of the game – a 11-yard pass that put Oregon up 42-38.
The Ducks had a 12 play, 76-yard drive that finished with an Alejandro Maldonado 30-yard field goal. More importantly, the field goal gave Oregon a 45-38 lead and took six minutes off the clock.
On their next drive, the Badgers moved into Oregon territory on a 29-yard completion from Wilson to Abbrederis. At the end of the catch and run, Oregon corner Terrance Mitchell forced Abbrederis to fumble. Linebacker Michael Clay recovered and Oregon took over with four minutes left.
The Ducks ran the clock down to 16 seconds as Wisconsin took over on its own 13 yard line. With no timeouts, Wilson competed back-to-back big plays to move the Badgers to Oregon’s 25 yard line. Wilson attempted to spike the ball and stop the clock so the Badgers could make one last attempt at tying the game. Unfortunately for Wilson, he spiked the ball after the clock struck zero and the game was over.
Final – No. 4 Oregon 45, No. 10 Wisconsin 38
Postgame
Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson on the controversial final play of the game:
“They made the call and it is what it is. I think that we could have won the game in a lot of other areas too, though. It would have been nice to have a chance there. Obviously, with one second left, I think we could have capitalized.”
Wisconsin head coach Brett Bielema after the game:
“We won a Big Ten title, and earned a chance to come out here and play a quality football team. Unfortunately (we) came up a little bit short.”
Oregon head coach Chip Kelly after the win over Wisconsin:
“It’s on the line every game we play in, and that formula works for us. We’re 34-6 in the last three years because we take every game like it’s the Super Bowl.”
Oregon running back LaMichael James on fans reaction to offensive lineman Carson York’s injury:
“Especially when the other team was being very disrespectful, and I really felt that way. Why would you do the wave when you know there’s a player down? I didn’t really like that too well. I just wanted to go out there and win that game for our fans and for Carson, he went down with the injury and that was a disrespectful moment.”
Oregon quarterback on wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei being named offensive player of the game:
“(Lavasier Tuinei) has been working hard all year, it’s destined to happen for him. That guy’s been working hard ever since the jump. He’s one of the guys that’s been working through injury all year.”
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @JoeJHoyt