Stanford, CA (Sports Network) - For the second time in six days, Stanford
bested UCLA. Friday's triumph carried a bit more significance, however.
Jordan Williamson buried a 36-yard field goal midway through the fourth
quarter which proved to be the difference, as No. 8 Stanford defeated No. 17
UCLA, 27-24, in the Pac-12 Championship game to secure a spot in the Rose
Bowl.
Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan finished an efficient 16-of-22 passing for
153 yards with a touchdown, while also rushing for 49 yards and a score on 11
carries for the Cardinal (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12), who claimed their first
conference crown since 1999 with their eighth straight conference win.
Stepfan Taylor, who rushed for a pair of scores in last Saturday's 35-17 win
over the Bruins, added 24 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown in the victory
to help Stanford advance to its 13th Rose Bowl in school history.
The Cardinal await the winner of Saturday's Big Ten Championship game between
Nebraska and Wisconsin. Either opponent would represent a Rose Bowl rematch,
as Stanford defeated Wisconsin, 21-13, in the 1941 Rose Bowl, but lost to
Wisconsin, 17-9, in the 2000 Rose Bowl.
Stanford's defense, which came into the game giving up an NCAA-best 71.3 yards
per game on the ground, was gashed by UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin for
201 yards and two scores on 18 carries.
UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley finished 26-of-34 for 182 yards with an
interception, while rushing for 82 yards and a score on 16 carries for the
Bruins (9-4, 6-3), who have lost back-to-back conference title games after
losing last year's Pac-12 Championship to Oregon.
The Sports Network