Buckeyes hunt Ducks

By: Cooper Ledford SWO SPORTS FOUNDER & CEO

The Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2) were playing in the Granddaddy of them all, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Their opponent was the Oregon University Ducks (10-3). The Ducks were favored by 75% of people in the United States, OSU was heavy under-dogs. Oregon was trying to finish with their first win in school history over the Buckeyes, while the Bucks were trying to end the bowl losing streak. Ohio State ended up winning the Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi, with a score of 26 to 17. Here is how it all happened.

To start things off, on Ohio State's first drive of the game, Terrelle Pryor connected with Brandon Saine for a 13 yard touchdown pass, OSU had a quick 7-0 lead. Late in the first quarter, it was fourth down, so the conservative Jim Tressel sent out Devin Barclay to kick a field goal. Barclay's kick was perfect, the score was 10-0, Silver Bullets on top. The Webbed foots would get on the board when Morgan Flint kicked a 24 yard field goal, it was a one possession game, 10-3. Oregon would tie it up when running back, LeGarrette Blount, extended him arm over the goal-line as he was falling, but that gave Oregon a touchdown, 10-10 was the score. In the last minute and fifteen seconds of the game, after a Devin Barclay field goal, OSU had a 13-10 lead. Masoli, on the next drive would throw an interception to Ross Homan, the Buckeyes would get the ball back. Right before the half, Aaron Pettrey kicked a 45 yard field goal to give Ohio State a 6 point lead going into the half. To start off scoring in the third, Jeremiah Masoli ran for a one yard touchdown for the Ducks to give them their first lead of the game, 17-16. Ohio State would regain the lead when Barclay kicked a 38 yard field goal, it was 19-17, Bucks on top going into the fourth quarter. with 7:02 to go in the fourth, OSU had the ball on third down, Pryor found DeVier Posey making a great catch in the endzone, a 17 yard score, Ohio State had a 26-17 lead. The Buckeyes would get the ball back later on after a missed field goal by Morgan Flint, OSU was able to run the clock out and win the game.

Terrelle Pryor was the 2010 Rose Bowl MVP. Pryor went 23 for 37, passed for a career high 266 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Pryor also added 72 yards on the ground. Pryor was 80% of Ohio State's offense, getting 338 total yards.

DeVier Posey lead the game in receiving yards, he had 101 off of 8 receptions. Ohio State now gives the Big Ten their first Rose Bowl win since 2000. The Buckeyes also end their 3-in-a-row BCS skid. Ohio State finished with a record of 11-2, and give the seniors their first bowl win, and Jim Tressel's first Rose Bowl game, and win.

All through the game Ohio State did good on drives. Here is how OSU's drive summaries went: Passing TD, punt, Field goal, punt, field goal, field goal, field goal, Interception, punt, passing TD, end of game. Oregon was not as successful here is how the Ducks' drives went: Punt, punt, field goal, rushing TD, Interception, rushing TD, fumble, punt, punt, missed field goal.

Ohio State controled the ball a lot longer than Oregon. Ohio State had the ball for 41:37, as opposed to 18:23 for Oregon.

PICTURES: THE ROSE BOWL TROPHY, COACH TRESSEL GETS THE GATORADE BATH, THE TEAM CELEBRATES THE ROSE BOWL WIN