There have been an absence of overtime games in this tournament for decades. In the First Round, West Virginia finally beat Boise State in their fourth overtime. But once was not enough for overtimes this year, as Stanford and Arkansas also ended the game deadlocked in a warmer than usual Pasadena.
The fourth seeded Cardinal were going for their second straight Rose Bowl win after easily pulling away from Wisconsin last season. But Arkansas was confident that they could win and create an SEC West reunion at the Semi-Finals in Saint Louis, along with LSU and Alabama. This would be fitting, because next season, Saint Louis will be a gateway to the SEC West itself with Mizzou entering the conference.
In the first quarter, Stanford was the sharper of the two teams. Their first drive progressed down field, but a missed field goal kept the game scoreless. But on their third drive, Andrew Luck's struck gold. His 53 yard pass to a wide open Ty Montgomery gave the Cardinal the opening 7-0 lead. Arkansas picked off an Andrew Luck pass and converted it into a field goal, but Stanford's Jeremy Stewart ran in a touchdown from 24 yards out, and Stanford led 14-3 entering the second quarter.
But it looked like Arkansas was enjoying the unseasonable heat in the second quarter, as they looked like the dominant team. Their offense had not done much in the first, so special teams ignited Arkansas in the second. The Razorbacks tied the game on a Joe Adams 51 yard punt return. Zach Hocker added a 22 yard field goal for Arkansas, and then Razorback QB Tyler Wilson hit Jarius Wright for 45 yards for a TD, and the teams lined up for the extra point, with Arkansas taking 19-14 lead. However, Stanford blocked the extra point and returned it all the way for the two points, closing the lead to 19-16. Arkansas still seemed to have the momentum as they took the ball back with 1:27 to play. However, Tyler Wilson was sacked and fumbled, giving the ball to the struggling Cardinal offense. Stanford connected on a field goal, and the game was tied at 19 at halftime.
Stanford seemed to regain momentum in the third quarter, and took the lead on a 16 yard pass from Luck to Zach Ertz. Arkansas' sole third quarter points came off of a Zach Hocker 30 yard field goal, and Stanford led 26-22 going into the last frame.
Stanford's Jordan Williamson hit a 30 yard field goal and extended the lead early in the fourth to 29-22. But Arkansas was hanging around, and tied the game on a Tyler Wilson pass to Cobi Hamilton for a 9 yard TD.
Both teams had key opportunities in the final minutes to grab the win. Arkansas moved quickly to the Stanford 21 yard line within easy field goal range. However, plays for losses and penalties on the Razorbacks soon moved the ball back to the 38, and Arkansas punted into the endzone for a touchback, giving Stanford the ball only a yard from where the Hogs had just had it themselves.
Stanford headed down the field as Andrew Luck was impressive in the final minutes. For the last play of regulation, Jordan Williamson's field goal was blocked, and Arkansas ran it dramatically down the toward the goal line as the clock read 0:00. Stanford finally tackled the ball carrier on their own 14, preserving the tie.
Arkansas had the ball first in overtime, and hit a 34 yard field goal. But Stanford moved to the goal line, scoring a touchdown on a Stepfan Taylor run. Fourth seeded Stanford returned to the Final Four for the second consecutive season, and awaits the winner of the Orange Bowl between LSU and Wisconsin.
UPDATED TOURNEY RESULTS:
FIRST ROUND:
In Pittsburgh:
7 Boise State 62
10 West Virginia 70 (4 OT)
In Green Bay:
8 Wisconsin 45
9 Clemson 19
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):
Orange:
1 LSU
8 Wisconsin
Rose:
4 Stanford 35 (OT)
6 Arkansas 32
Sugar:
2 Alabama
10 West Virginia
Fiesta:
3 Oklahoma State 38
5 Oregon 37
Semi-finals in Saint Louis:
LSU/Wisconsin versus Stanford
Alabama/West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State
BCS Championship in New Orleans
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