Thursday, January 2, 2020
In a classic matchup on New Year’s Day, the whole country had a chance to see what the #6 ranked Oregon Ducks football program has become under coach Mario Cristobal, as the Ducks outlasted #8 Wisconsin, 28-27 in the Rose Bowl Game.
Give the game to Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert, the homegrown Eugene playmaker, who scores 3 touchdowns himself in the giant Pasadena Stadium, electrifying his fans. The Ducks had only 202 yards on offense for the entire game against a tough Badger defense.
Herbert finished the game in the air at 14 for 20 with only 138 yards passing, but no touchdowns to his receivers. But Herbert did enough with his legs to get the win. He scored three rushing touchdowns, including a 30-yard run on a read-option play late in the fourth quarter following the Badgers fourth turnover of the night.
The Ducks defense then forced a three-and-out, and the Oregon offense bled the rest of the clock to hold on for the win.
The victory improved Oregon’s record to 12-2 on the season, its first 12-win season since it won 13 games in 2014 and reached the College Football Playoff National Championship. Wisconsin finishes 10-4 with two straight losses to end the season.
After going 9-4 in his debut season coach for Mario Cristobal, the Ducks improved by three wins this season to get to 12-2 and win their first Rose Bowl since 2014.