Unlike most of Oregon’s new conference foes, there is some history between the Oregon Ducks and the Wisconsin Badgers. Just six games have been played between these programs, but two have taken place on college football’s greatest stage: the Rose Bowl.
The Ducks and the Badgers first shared the field in Pasadena in 2012 as the No. 6 and No. 9 teams, respectively. Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas led the Ducks to a win over current Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson and the Badgers. Eight years later, Oregon and Wisconsin met in the Rose Bowl again, this time led by Justin Herbert, and the Ducks defeated the Badgers once again.
The Ducks won the 2012 Rose Bowl 45-38, and the game was the perfect example of a shootout. So many Ducks had great days, including Darron Thomas — who threw for 3 TDs and over 250 yards — and LaMichael James — who rushed for 159 yards and a TD.
The real star, however, was De’Anthony Thomas. Thomas had four catches for 34 yards, but he truly made his mark in the run game. On just two carries, Thomas rushed for 155 yards and two TDs. His first rush was a 91-yard inside zone for the score, and a little later, he took a jet sweep 64 yards to the end zone. It was the perfect display of talent for one of the most athletic college players ever.
Eight years later, Oregon and Wisconsin won their conferences once again, punching tickets to the Rose Bowl. This time, it was QB Herbert and RB Jonathan Taylor leading the teams. This game was even closer than the 2012 matchup with Oregon winning 28-27.
Herbert, usually a pocket passer, led the Ducks to a win in an unusual way. Instead of getting the ball into the end zone with his arm, Herbert rushed for three TDs — all on read-option QB keeps. The Ducks’ other touchdown came from safety Brady Breeze, a native Oregonian like Herbert, who delivered a fumbled ball to the endzone after a botched punt.
The 2020 Rose Bowl victory was the final game of Herbert and Breeze’s college careers. It’s hard to ask for a better ending.
Oregon and Wisconsin’s other four matchups came from two regular-season home-and-home series, spanning from 1977-1978 and 2000-2001. Wisconsin was 3-1 in those games, but the Ducks took the most recent regular season game.
This week’s game will be Oregon’s first trip to Camp Randall Stadium in almost 25 years, which is not an easy place to play. The Badgers are unranked, but they’re a dangerous opponent. Oregon and Wisconsin may not be in a run for the roses this weekend, but beating the Badgers is an important step on the Oregon Ducks’ path to a championship, with a chance to clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship on the line.
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