1997 Rose Bowl
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Game Summary
The 1997 Rose Bowl Game was a post-season bowl game between the Arizona State University Sun Devils of the Pacific-10 Conference and the Ohio State University Buckeyes of the Big Ten Conference, held on New Year's Day in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California and resulting in a dramatic, last-second 20-17 victory for the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes would finish #2 in the nation winning their first rose bowl since January 1, 1974 and handing the Sun Devils their only loss and preventing them a national title. The #3 Florida Gators would end up winning the National Championship after overcoming the #1 Florida State Seminoles (52-20) in the Sugar Bowl, who had defeated the Gators earlier in the season 24-21. Had the Sun Devils won the game, they would have been the National Champions.
Brief Overview
Arizona State came into the game undefeated and ranked #2 and were considered a possible national championship contender under quarterback Jake Plummer. The Buckeyes came into the game following a late diappointing loss to their rivals The Michigan Wolverines. Ranked #2 and having won their first 10 games, Ohio State jumped to a 9-0 halftime lead, however two field goals by senior kicker Remy Hamilton and a shocker of a scoring strike-junior Brian Griese's short pass to true sophomore receiver Tai Streets, who slanted past a slipping Shawn Springs to race 69 yards for a touchdown-gave the Wolverines a 13-9 victory.