Rose Bowl final score: Oregon runs away from Florida State, 59-20
By Phil Watson
A competitive Rose Bowl got out of hand quickly when Oregon scored 35 straight points off Florida State turnovers to advance in the College Football Playoff.
Florida State’s 29-game winning streak came to a crashing halt Thursday night at the Rose Bowl as Oregon took advantage of five Seminole turnovers in the second half for 35 points to blow open a close game en route to a 59-20 win in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
With the victory, Oregon (13-1) advances to the CFP championship on Jan. 12 in Arlington, Texas, against the winner of the Sugar Bowl later Thursday between Alabama and Ohio State.
The game was close well into the second half, with Florida State (13-1) closing to within 25-20 with 8:07 to go in the third quarter on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Jameis Winston to Travis Rudolph.
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But the battle of the last two Heisman Trophy winners ended up leaning heavily toward the newest winner, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.
He answered the Florida State score with a 56-yard throw and run by Darren Carrington for a 32-20 lead with 6:43 left in the third quarter.
That’s when the wheels came off for the Seminoles.
Freshman running back Dalvin Cook fumbled after catching a pass from Winston on FSU’s next possession and Oregon capitalized quickly with a 30-yard pass from Mariota to Carrington.
Then the sublime became ridiculous.
Winston, trying to make something happen facing a 19-point deficit, dropped the ball deep in his own backfield, leading to a 58-yard touchdown return by Oregon linebacker Tony Washington.
The Ducks weren’t done pouncing on the ‘Noles.
Winston threw an interception to Erick Dargan on Florida State’s next possession and early in the fourth quarter, Mariota ran it in from 23 yards out for a 52-20 lead.
A fumble by Jesus Wilson in the fourth quarter was recovered by Tyson Coleman of Oregon and four plays later, Thomas Tyner had his second touchdown of the night on a 21-yard run for a 59-20 Ducks lead.
At that point, Oregon called off the dogs, pulling Mariota and the rest of the offensive starters.
Mariota ended up 26-for-36 for 338 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted once—just the third of the season he threw. He also ran eight times for 62 yards and a score. Tyner had 124 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries and Freeman scored twice.
Carrington caught seven passes for 165 yards and two scores as Oregon set a Rose Bowl record with 59 points scored.
Winston was 29-for-45 for 348 yards and a touchdown with a pick and also lost a fumble before he was pulled in favor of Sean Maguire. It was Florida State first loss since they fell 37-26 to Florida on Nov. 24, 2012.
Oregon also set a Rose Bowl record with 41 points in the second half.
It will be Oregon’s second shot at a national championship. They lost to Auburn in the BCS National Championship after the 2010 season.
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