The build-up to the 2014 Rose Bowl was nothing short of epic.
For weeks, the nation speculated who would come out on top in the clash of Heisman trophy winners; could Marcus Mariota prove to Oregon’s doubters that the Ducks could lace up with the big boys, or would Jameis Winston keep the Seminoles unbeaten en route to their second national championship birth in as many years?
Spoiler alert. The Ducks flew high on Thursday.
Despite an FSU field-goal on the first possession, Oregon took the lead late in the first quarter and never let up. Four costly, second-half turnovers didn’t help the ‘Noles, as Oregon continued to impress on both sides of the ball. (RELATED: Oregon Looked Incredibly Good Sporting These Hulk-Inspired Rose Bowl Unis)
One of the biggest story lines from the blowout came as the final seconds ran off the clock; their 29-game win streak snapped, the majority of the Seminoles headed straight to the locker room instead of giving the Ducks the tradition, congratulatory “dap-up” at half field. EVEN MORE SURPRISING was that one of the few FSU players that did was Jameis Winston.
In what was undoubtedly his final college game — and arguably one of the worst of his career — Winston exhibited a sense of maturity and respect that the public isn’t used to seeing.
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Oregon will play Ohio State on Jan. 12 in Arlington, Texas in the College Football National Championship Game, but they probably won’t get any help from Lance Stephenson this time.
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