The Wisconsin Badgers are on their way to face Stanford in the Rose Bowl, January 1, in Pasadena. This is their third consecutive visit to the Tournament of Roses. This victory came as a sigh of relief on a season-long rollercoaster ride. Their record was 8-5 on the season going in to the championship game.
This after an almost record-breaking victory against Nebraska Saturday night as the Badgers dominated the running game. The Badgers scored on a team-high eight rushing touchdowns; leading them to a 70-31 victory over the Huskers. Another first for the Badgers, three running backs surpassed the 100 yards mark. Freshman Melvin Gordon had 9 successful carries for 216 yards and 1 TD; Junior James White with 15 carries, 109 yards and 4 TDs; and Senior Montee Ball with 21 carries for 202 yards and 3 TDs.
Senior Quarterback Curt Phillips didn't rely solely on the Badgers running game; he fired two rockets to fullback Derek Watt in the first quarter, and again to wide receiver Jared Abbrederis in the second.
The Badgers are the first team in history to compete in the Rose Bowl with a 5-loss record. Their third visit marks the first time since the 1977-'79 run for Michigan, that any team has appeared in three consecutive games. Kickoff is scheduled in Pasadena, CA January 1 at 4:10pm.
