A Century of Oregon Excellence: Ducks in the Rose Bowl

We are just 2 days away from the CFB Playoff Quarterfinal matchup between Oregon and Ohio State. Seeing a traditional Big 10 power take on the conference newcomer from the former Pac-12 in the Rose Bowl brings an interesting symmetry to the meeting. Oregon’s football legacy is marked by a storied tradition of Rose Bowl appearances by the Webfoots—later known as the Ducks. From the dawn of the bowl’s history to breaking nearly a century of futility in 2012, Oregon has consistently left an indelible mark on college football’s grandest stage. Here is a look back in time at those past Rose Bowl appearances.

1917: Triumph in the First Rose Bowl Victory

On January 1, 1917, Oregon secured its first Rose Bowl victory with a decisive 14-0 win over the mighty Pennsylvania Quakers. In an era before the iconic stadium or the official “Rose Bowl” title, the Webfoots—a team from a school of only 2,000 students—proved their mettle against a highly regarded East Coast powerhouse. Shy Huntington was instrumental, throwing a 19-yard touchdown pass to Lloyd Tegart and later running in another score after intercepting a Quaker pass. Huntington’s extra points sealed the win before a crowd of 27,000.

1920: A Narrow and Controversial Loss

Oregon returned to Pasadena in 1920 to face Harvard, narrowly losing 7-6 in a game that remains steeped in controversy. Skeet Manerud’s 25-yard field goal attempt, which many believed was successful, was ruled wide by the officials, dashing Oregon’s hopes of victory. Shy Huntington, the hero of the 1917 game, coached the team in this heartbreaker, which was Oregon’s second appearance in the “Granddaddy of Them All.”

1958: A Tale of Inches

A 10-7 loss to Ohio State in the 1958 Rose Bowl came down to a matter of inches. Oregon kicker Jack Morris narrowly missed a game-tying field goal. Despite the loss, the game underscored Oregon’s grit against a Buckeyes team crowned national champions before the bowl.

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1995: A Passing Showcase in a Tough Loss

The Ducks returned to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 37 years and held their ground against Penn State for much of the game. The Nittany Lions struck quickly with an explosive 83-yard touchdown run by Ki-Jana Carter on the first play from scrimmage, setting the tone for their ground game. Oregon battled back, tying the game 14-14 late in the third quarter with two touchdown passes from Danny O’Neil.

Despite O’Neil completing a record-setting 41 of 61 passes for 456 yards, Penn State’s ground attack and Carter’s additional two touchdowns proved insurmountable. Jon Witman’s score in the final quarter sealed the Ducks’ fate. While the 38-20 outcome favored Penn State, O’Neil earned the game’s offensive MVP honors.

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2010: A Clash of Styles Ends in a Ball-Control Battle

The 2010 Rose Bowl was billed as a duel of contrasting offenses, but Ohio State’s methodical control of the ball defined the game. The Buckeyes kept the Ducks’ explosive “spread-and-shred” attack in check by dominating possession, running 89 plays to Oregon’s 53—a staggering 36-play difference. This ball-control strategy resulted in a Rose Bowl-record 41 minutes and 37 seconds of possession for Ohio State. The Buckeyes would prevail 26-17 by keeping the high-powered Duck offense off the field.

2012: Breaking the Rose Bowl Drought

Fast-forward to January 2, 2012, and the Ducks finally erased nearly a century of Rose Bowl futility. In a 45-38 shootout against Wisconsin, Oregon displayed its hallmark explosive offense. LaMichael James rushed for 159 yards, while freshman sensation De’Anthony Thomas dazzled with 155 yards and two touchdowns on just two carries. Quarterback Darron Thomas added 268 passing yards and three touchdowns, including two to Lavasier Tuinei, the game’s offensive MVP.

Kiko Alonso’s interception of Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter set the stage for Oregon to reclaim the lead with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Darron Thomas to Tuinei. The Ducks’ defense held firm as the clock ran out

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2015: The First Playoff

It was supposed to be a showdown between the two best quarterbacks in college football. Heisman winners Marcus Mariota for the Ducks and Jameis Winston for the Florida State Seminoles. The first semifinal playoff game in the new 4-team format lived up to the hype for the first half. Then Oregon came alive and scored the most points ever in a half of the Rose Bowl (41) on the way to the most points total (59) and the most offensive yards (639). Between a hilarious sack/fumble and a green, Mariota-shaped blur racing into the endzone, Oregon would roll to a 59-20 victory.

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2020: Oregon Gets Physical

The 2020 Rose Bowl offered a compelling rematch between the Oregon Ducks and the Wisconsin Badgers, echoing their high-scoring 2012 encounter. This time, the stakes were just as high, with Oregon entering as the Pac-12 champions and Wisconsin as the Big Ten runner-up. The result was a thrilling one-point victory for Oregon, cementing their fourth Rose Bowl win in program history.

The game was defined by its back-and-forth nature, with both teams exchanging big plays. Justin Herbert provided the key moments for Oregon, rushing for three touchdowns, including a decisive fourth-quarter score that gave the Ducks the lead. A scoop and score by Brady Breeze ended up being the scoring swing to secure the Duck win.

Legacy and Lessons

Each Rose Bowl appearance, from the Webfoots’ gritty victory in 1917 to the Ducks’ electrifying 2020 triumph, reflects the evolution of Oregon football. The program has grown from a small school’s audacious underdog into a nationally recognized powerhouse. These moments remind us that greatness is built over decades, with each team adding a chapter to a legacy of excellence. Having gone 13-0 in its inaugural season in the Big 10, this season is already a success. The chance to send a message in a traditional matchup between the Pac-12 and the Big 10, is just icing on the cake.