|
Score by Quarters |
|
UCLA |
3 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
16 |
|
Wisconsin |
7 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
21 |
When UCLA had the chance to win its ninth consecutive bowl game in the 1994 Rose Bowl Game, the Bruins simply dropped the ball. Literally.
Despite 500 yards of total offense and a record-breaking game for Bruin receiver J.J. Stokes (14 catches for 176 yards, both Rose Bowl Game records), the Bruins lost the game, 21-16, after six turnovers, including a Rose Bowl Game -record five fumbles lost, negated half the team’s offensive drives in the game.
“It seemed like someone put a hex on us or something,” said UCLA halfback Daron Washington.
Ironically, UCLA had entered the game leading the nation in turnover ratio.
“I can’t explain the turnovers,” said UCLA Head Coach Terry Donahue. “I believe it’s a combination of their good playing and nervousness on our part that worked against us tonight.”
However, despite the anomalous game for the Bruins, credit must be given where it’s due, something Donahue alluded to. It’s not like the Bruins simply had Crisco on their hands and handed the game to the Badgers; the visiting Midwesterners played a part as well.
Wisconsin running back Brent Moss, the Player of the Game, had 36 carries for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Moss also led his Badgers to their first-ever 10-win season (10-1-1) and first-ever Rose Bowl Game victory in four tries.
“It was a very typical Moss performance,” said Wisconsin Head Coach Barry Alvarez. “He’s a workhorse. This kid likes to play football, and he’s tough as nails. I wouldn’t trade him for anything.”
Moss’ touchdowns came on 1- and 3-yard scampers in the first half, giving the Badgers a 14-3 lead entering the third quarter. Oddly enough, UCLA only had two turnovers in the one-sided first half – an interception and fumble. In the second half, UCLA brought the score to 14-10 after a 12-yard score from Ricky Davis. Wisconsin answered on a 21-yard scramble from Wisconsin quarterback Darrell Bevell in the fourth quarter to make it 21-10. UCLA retorted with another score of its own with 3:38 remaining, but the fumbles – including one on first-and-goal from the Wisconsin 8-yard line in the third quarter – were simply too much to overcome.
“We just turned the ball over too much, basically,” Stokes said. “That was the key to the game.”
In addition to Stokes’ record-breaking game, UCLA quarterback Wayne Cook completed 28 of 43 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown; his 299 yards of total offense was the fourth-best performance in Rose Bowl Game history.
Attendance
101, 237
Weather
Slight Haze; 73 degrees
Scoring
First Quarter
UCLA – Merten, 27-yard field goal
Wis – Moss, 3-yard run (Schnetzky kick good)
Second Quarter
Wis – Moss, 1-yard run (Schnetzky kick good)
Fourth Quarter
UCLA – Davis, 12-yard run (Merten kick good)
Wis – Bevell, 21-yard run (Schnetzky kick good)
UCLA – Nguyen, 5-yard pass from Cook (Cook’s pass to Jordan for the 2-point conversion failed)
Coaches
UCLA: Terry Donahue
Wisconsin: Barry Alvarez
Fun Fact
In 1994, the Rose Bowl Game celebrated 80 years with the theme “Entertainment on Parade.”
Individual Stats
Rushing
Wis: Moss 36-158; Fletcher 7-64; Montgomery 2-7; Bevell 1-21
UCLA: Davis 13-88; Hicks 8-67; Milliner 3-12; Washington 4-39
Passing
Wis: Bevell 10-20-96
UCLA: Cook 28-43-288
Receiving
Wis: Dawkins 4-33; Fletcher 2-29; Jackson 1-9; London 2-20; Moss 1-5
UCLA: Stokes 14-176; Washington 3-8; Jordan 3-34; Allen 4-32; Davis 1-5; Nguyen 2-26; Adams 1-7
Punting
Wis: Veit 6-229
UCLA: Schager 2-70