Rose Bowl, Oregon Vs. Wisconsin: Ducks Prevail In Pasadena Points Party, 45-38

1,129: Total Yardage. Average gain: 8.3 yards per play. We saw great running, great passing, and even a few great defensive plays as well. That last part is important. I love nothing more than all-out MACtion, where the yards and points pile on faster than weight on a new father. (Why no, I do not have personal experience for making this reference. None at all. Nope, none. Why do you ask?) But I like knowing that the defenses are trying. I like when the offenses have to actually work. I loved Baylor-Washington, but there was a little too much “guy running with no defender anywhere on the screen” for my taste. This, on the other hand, was fantastic. Big-time offensive talent had to work for big plays and made them anyway.

Set up as Option No. 1 in a triple option from the Oregon 9, Thomas took advantage of a defense leaning left and ripped off a 91-yard touchdown down the right side of the field. Then, at the beginning of the third quarter, he took off 55 yards down the left sideline. He was so fast that he had to slow down for a blocker to take care of the only Wisconsin tackler within 10 yards of him. Thomas also caught four passes for 34 yards (and almost made a disastrous decision on a kickoff return).

For Ducks head coach Chip Kelly, who scored his first BCS bowl in three tries, the Rose Bowl drought wasn’t an issue.

Monday was the Badgers’ second consecutive Rose Bowl loss in heartbreaking fashion. The Badgers gave up over 600 yards of total offense to the speedy Ducks, burned two timeouts in the first five minutes of the second half that could have come in handy on the final drive, and fumbled inside the Ducks’ 30-yard line with a little over four minutes to play.

It was evident early in Oregon’s 45-38 win over Wisconsin that this Rose Bowl would be unlike any other -- and not just because of Oregon’s blinged-out helmets.

The Ducks and Badgers set Rose Bowl records for points scored in the first and second quarters, scoring a combined four touchdowns in each frame. Even though the two teams slowed down (just slightly) in the second half, they’d eventually combine to score the most points ever in Rose Bowl history.

The obvious reason for Abbrederis and Wilson simultaneously blowing fuses when Wisconsin needed them most?

This woman, obviously.

The Oregon Ducks have handed the Wisconsin Badgers their second Rose Bowl loss in a row in one of the highest-scoring games in Rose history (and one of the highest-scoring games of a HIGH-SCORY bowl season), 45-38. The Ducks left Russell Wilson only 16 seconds on the clock to attempt a comeback, but, as has been the case all year, the closing moments were not kind to the Badgers.

SI.com: Live Rose Bowl box score and Rose Bowl FAQ.

The play was reviewed and upheld, and as you can see the ball clearly pops out of Abbrederis’ hands and somehow stays in bounds for Oregon to recover. The Ducks can put the game away now by killing clock or with another score.

For more on the two teams, check out Wisconsin Badgers blog Bucky’s Fifth Quarter and Oregon Ducks blog Addicted To Quack, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire.

For more on the two teams, check out Wisconsin Badgers blog Bucky’s Fifth Quarter and Oregon Ducks blog Addicted To Quack, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire.

SI.com: Live Rose Bowl box score and Rose Bowl FAQ.

For more on the two teams, check out Wisconsin Badgers blog Bucky’s Fifth Quarter and Oregon Ducks blog Addicted To Quack, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire.

SI.com: Live Rose Bowl box score and Rose Bowl FAQ.

For more on the two teams, check out Wisconsin Badgers blog Bucky’s Fifth Quarter and Oregon Ducks blog Addicted To Quack, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire.

SI.com: Live Rose Bowl box score and Rose Bowl FAQ.

For more on the two teams, check out Wisconsin Badgers blog Bucky’s Fifth Quarter and Oregon Ducks blog Addicted To Quack, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire.

Watch here -- we say it every time, but it’s like nobody else is even moving:

Your school’s mascot probably does pushups after every score. However, your school’s mascot has never mascotted a game that’s already set the Rose Bowl record for first half points.

Poor, poor Puddles:

SI.com: Live Rose Bowl box score and Rose Bowl FAQ.

Huff did not look good as he left the field, as he failed to walk in a straight line and trainers had to assist him off the field. The good news is that he’s still on the sidelines instead of back in the locker room, leaving a window of hope open that he does not have a concussion and that he can return to the game.

SI.com: Live Rose Bowl box score and Rose Bowl FAQ.

The play was reviewed, as Thomas was attempting a pass as he was hit by Taylor. It was close, but there wasn’t indisputable evidence that Thomas’ arm was going forward at the time he lost possession, and the play stood as called on the field. The Ducks will get the ball back with 3”26 left in the second quarter.

SI.com: Live Rose Bowl box score and Rose Bowl FAQ.

For more on the two teams, check out Wisconsin Badgers blog Bucky’s Fifth Quarter and Oregon Ducks blog Addicted To Quack, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire.

SI.com: Live Rose Bowl box score and Rose Bowl FAQ.

It’s been a wild opening 15 minutes in Pasadena, but Thomas truly stole the show with his run. Taking a handoff in the backfield, he showed off his world-class speed, blowing by the entire Wisconsin defense virtually untouched. We sincerely hope that you bet the over. Here’s the video of Thomas’ TD.