The Granddaddy of them all is upon us, with the No. 6 Oregon Ducks and No. 9 Wisconsin Badgers do battle in the 2012 Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Among the many compelling characters in the game is the man behind the controls of the mighty Oregon offense, junior quarterback Darron Thomas.
Thomas usually takes a back seat in recognition to running back LaMichael James, and with good reason, but Thomas has had a great season in his own right. In his second season as the Ducks' signal caller, Thomas has thrown for 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
This was the second straight season with 30 touchdown passes for Thomas, who holds the Oregon school record with 63 career touchdown passes. He has thrown a touchdown pass in 25 consecutive games, the second longest streak in the country behind fellow Rose Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson of the Badgers.
Over the last five games of the season, Thomas threw for 12 touchdowns and just one interception, completing 61.4% of his passes both during that span and for the season. Thomas has a passer efficiency rating of 155.19, good for 14th in the country. He has also run for 205 yards and three scores this season.
The 2012 Rose Bowl Game will be played on Monday, January 2, 2012 in Pasadena. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. PST. The game will be televised by ESPN, with Brent Musberger, Kirk Herbstreit, and Erin Andrews on the call.