We knew going into the 2012 Rose Bowl that the No. 6 Oregon Ducks and No. 9 Wisconsin Badgers would provide a high-scoring affair. After the first drive for both teams, the game has lived up to the hype. Both teams had quick touchdown drives highlighted by passing plays of over 30 yards as the Rose Bowl is tied at 7-7 early in the first quarter.
Wisconsin won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to start the game. After pounding the ball with Montee Ball on the ground for four consecutive plays, the Badgers passed on three straight plays, culminating in a 38-yard play action pass from Russell Wilson to Jared Abbrederis, who was wide open on his way to the opening score. The Badgers drove 77 yards on seven plays in just 3:12 on their opening possession.
Oregon answered right back with one of their patented lightning fast drives. The Ducks drove 80 yards on seven playes in just 2:07 in similar fashion to Wisconsin. Oregon ran on their first three plays of the game and four of their first five before Darron Thomas completed a 35-yard pass to Lavasier Tuinei down to the one-yard line. That set up LaMichael James for the equalizing touchdown, his first touchdown in three BCS bowl games.
For more news on Wisconsin football be sure to read Bucky's 5th Quarter. For more Oregon football analysis, Addicted To Quack.