Even the defense scores in 59-20 rout of Florida State in the Rose Bowl
PASADENA, Calif. - What was an entertaining game filled with drama turned into a rout over the course of five minutes and the Oregon Ducks routed defending national champion Florida State 59-20 Thursday in the Rose Bowl, the first of two semifinal games leading to the national championship game.
Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota threw for 338 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for one as well to spark the Oregon offense.
But, it was the Oregon defense that carried the day for the Ducks, who will play Ohio State in the title game, Jan. 12, in Dallas.
Oregon's defense gave up 528 total yards to the Seminoles and 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jamies Winston, but that turned into only a pair of touchdowns and a pair of field goals. The Ducks stopped FSU on fourth-and-goal from the 1 in the first half, then forced five turnovers in the second half, with all of them turning into touchdowns.
Defensive end Tony Washington recovered one fumble and ran it into the end zone to give Oregon a 45-20 lead.
The 59 points established a game record, was FSU's worst loss since 1983 and so thoroughly demoralized the Seminoles that half the team did not cross the field to shake hands with Oregon players after the game.
Oregon will play in the national title game for the second time in four years, having lost the 2011 championship game to Auburn, 22-19.
"A lot of fun," Oregon coach Mark Helfrich told reporters about the second-half scoring run, "but at the same time, these guys were able to retain a tremendous focus."
"It's incredible. I'm so proud of these guys right here," Mariota said. "We've got one more to take care of."
Oregon improved to 13-1, while Florida State fell to 13-1, suffering its first loss in more than two seasons.
Washington played a key role in the first half when he tackled Winston on the fourth-down play, on what was initially ruled a touchdown that would have given the Seminoles a 9-8 lead. But, replays showed Winston being tackled just shy of the goal line, and the play was reversed. Oregon drove 88 yards and settled for a field goal and 11-3 lead.
Washington's fumble return also occured on fourth down.
Mariota's passing game was complimented by Oregon's ground game, which finished with 301 yards and five scores. Sophomore Thomas Tyner, who missed the previous three games, ran for 124 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries to lead the Ducks.
FSU finished with 180 yards rushing.