The final minutes of the Rose Bowl were ones of stark differences. Red-clad Ohio State fans screamed for joy, while Oregon fans stood silently, thinking about what could have been.
After the final seconds ticked off the clock, Buckeye players rushed the field, happy to win a BCS game after three straight losses. Meanwhile, on the Oregon sideline, running back LaMichael James sat alone on the bench, staring into space.
LeGarrette Blount—who scored a touchdown on a twisting, stretching play—let his eyes water, and Kenjon Barner also had red eyes in the post-game news conference.
It was a sad sight to see for the Ducks, who marched through the Pacific-10 Conference with one loss and seemed invincible in big games in conference.
The swagger was there for a bit, especially when Oregon took a 17-16 lead in the third quarter, but when the Buckeyes delivered the knock out punch with a touchdown from Terrelle Pryor to DeVier Posey with seven minutes to go in the game, you knew it was over.
The better team won tonight. Ohio State beat Oregon in every major category and played keep away from the potent Duck offense. Pryor looked phenomenal, rushing for 72 yards and throwing for 266 more and two touchdowns. And the Ohio State defense bullied Jeremiah Masoli into nine yards rushing.
Don’t get me wrong; Oregon played inspired football, especially early, coming back from a 10-point deficit to tie the game. They were within striking distance halfway through the fourth quarter. But when it counted, it was Ohio State and not Oregon making the big plays.
Which is tough to see, after watching them play for the entire season. Oregon is usually the team making the game-ending, clock-eating drive, or driving down the field to put the game on ice.
Oregon’s season ended in the warm evening weather of Pasadena, Calif., hearing the joyous shouts of Ohio State players, and it burned the team to the core to know they were within reach of being there. Barner promised next year the Ducks would be back, and I have no reason to doubt him, knowing that the Ducks are losing only a handful of guys.
But to focus on the loss would do a disservice to the Oregon Ducks this season. Yes, what the nation is going to remember is the team’s last loss, but they had a lot of things happen this year that led them to this point where we are discussing a Rose Bowl game.
Boise State. LeGarrette Blount’s punch. Beating Cal, USC and Oregon State at home. Losing to Stanford. Double OT in the desert against Arizona. It was a long season, with many twists and turns, and they should be proud of what they have accomplished.
Pre-season, everyone had picked Oregon to finish as low as fifth in the conference. And after a non-conference schedule where Oregon went 2-1 with an almost non-existent passing game, many wondered what they would do in the Pac-10. Not only did Oregon prove doubters wrong, they did it in a large way and ascended to the BCS realm and the hallowed Rose Bowl.
It was an honor to watch them from the press box this year and get to know the team every day in practice. They are genuinely good people and from watching Chip Kelly, I learned a lot about what hard work and a sharp wit can do for you.
That’s why I am never going to forget Barner sitting in front of the bright lights, with red eyes and tears still on his face. It showed the passion that Kelly has instilled in this team. It was a moving sight.
Let the memory of this game remain as a testament to how hard it is to make it to Pasadena, and let it serve as a reminder what it feels like to lose on the biggest stage. But the team should hold their heads high, because the Rose Bowl is an honor. It’s a special place and this season should go up on a pedestal as a shining example of success.
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