Stanford wasted no time in getting deep into the playbook against Wisconsin in the 99th Rose Bowl.
On Stanford's very first possession, coach David Shaw set his offense up in the wildcat formation and called a reverse to receiver Drew Terrell. The senior then dropped back inside his own 45-yard line and fired a deep pass to fellow receiver Jamal-Rashad Patterson.
The trick didn't fool Wisconsin defensive back Shelton Johnson, who stayed with Patterson as he made his way down the field. But that didn't matter. Patterson made an incredibly athletic play on the ball, leaping up over Johnson and reaching behind his head to reel in the catch.
Patterson landed on the 16-yard line, setting Stanford up for its first touchdown as freshman running back Kelsey Young ran it in on the next play.
On Stanford's next possession, quarterback Kevin Hogan found Zach Ertz for a 43-yard completion that set the team up for its second and only other touchdown of the game.
Even though Stanford made two quick trips to the end zone in the first quarter, with drives of 80 and 79 yards respectively, the No. 6 team in the nation was held to just six points for the next 45 minutes of play.
The Granddaddy Of Them All turned into a defensive battle in the second half. Stanford was able to kick two field goals and needed a timely interception to seal its second BCS bowl win in three years.
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