The Oregon Ducks lost an epic battle. They faced the Wisconsin Badgers. It was the 106th Rose Bowl Game. The date was January 1, 2020. Wisconsin won in double overtime. The final score was 38-35. This was a hard-fought contest. Both teams showed great resilience. It was a true thriller.
Game Overview
The game was played at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium. Pasadena, California was the host. Oregon entered as the No. 7 team. Wisconsin was ranked No. 11. The matchup delivered intense action. It went down to the wire. Neither team could secure a win in regulation. The intensity carried into overtime. Both teams fought hard. It was a memorable sports news event.
Regulation Play
Wisconsin struck first. They took a 7-0 lead. This came from an Aron Cruickshank kickoff return. Oregon answered quickly. Quarterback Justin Herbert scored. He ran for a 4-yard touchdown. The score was tied 7-7. Wisconsin regained the lead. They kicked a field goal. The score became 10-7. Oregon responded again. Herbert ran for another touchdown. This made it 14-10 Oregon. Wisconsin took the lead before halftime. Quintez Cephus caught a touchdown pass. Wisconsin led 17-14 at the break.
Second Half Drama
The second half saw more back-and-forth action. Oregon’s Brady Breeze was a key player. He returned a fumbled punt snap for a touchdown. This gave Oregon a 21-17 lead. Wisconsin answered. They scored to retake the lead. Oregon battled back. Herbert scored his third rushing touchdown. This put Oregon ahead 28-24. Wisconsin then tied the game again. They scored to make it 28-28. Regulation ended with this tie.
Overtime Intensity
The game moved to overtime. Both teams were determined to win. The first overtime saw no scoring. Both defenses held firm. They forced punts and turnovers. The tension was incredibly high. This led to a second overtime period. Wisconsin kicked a field goal. They took a 31-28 lead. Oregon responded with a touchdown. This put them ahead 35-31. However, Wisconsin had an answer. They scored a touchdown. This sealed their victory. The final score was 38-35.
Key Performances and Statistics
Justin Herbert was a standout for Oregon. He accounted for three rushing touchdowns. He also passed for 138 yards. Brady Breeze made crucial plays for the Ducks. He had a fumble return touchdown. He also forced a key fumble. Wisconsin saw strong efforts too. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 94 yards. He neared 2,000 career rushing yards. Jack Coan threw for 186 yards. He had one touchdown and one interception. Turnovers proved costly for Wisconsin. They committed four turnovers. Oregon capitalized on these. They scored 21 points off turnovers.
Implications and Context
This Rose Bowl victory was significant for Wisconsin. It capped a strong season for the Badgers. For Oregon, the loss was tough. It concluded their 12-2 season. The game was a testament to the competitive sports landscape. It highlights the news value of such thrilling contests. This trending matchup is a classic. It remains a notable game in oregon football history.
