After having their scheduled opener against Nicholls State postponed, this was the season opener for Oregon State. The Beavers were coming off of a 3-9 season and facing the #13 Wisconsin Badgers who were coming off of an 11-3 season and a trip to the Rose Bowl. Oregon State did have home field advantage but not many thought they would stop Montee Ball and the Wisconsin rushing attack.
The Beavers won this game with defense as they held the Badgers to just 207 yards of total offense and just 35 net rushing yards. Oregon State dominated time of possession by over ten minutes and won the turnover battle 2 to 0. Wisconsin trailed 10-0 late in the fourth quarter but was able to get a late TD (with 1:31 left in the game) to pull to within 10-7. Wisconsin thought they had recovered the onside kick but a booth review revealed they touched the ball before it went ten yards and the Beavers held on to win.
This was the beginning of a great year for Oregon State (as they went 9-4) and a forgettable one for Wisconsin (who finished 8-6 but did make the Rose Bowl). If you look back at the end of the year this doesn't look like a big upset but not many had the Beavers winning this one. This was quite a bounce back for the Beavers after losing 35 to 0 in their 2011 game against the Badgers.
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