But you just didn't do it.
You talked the talk, you shone in the regular season, you had the potential. But you failed at the final hurdle. The final score in the New Year's Day Rose Bowl Game, between the 3rd and 4th ranked college teams in the country, TCU and Wisconsin, was not really indicative of the game. TCU proved their worth with a 21-19 win over the Badgers, in what was a disappointing finish to a Big Ten Championship winning season.
Stadium at NightYet despite having one of the best offensives in the country, and the best defense, TCU should have been beaten by Wisconsin. Not easily, but it still should have a been a strong likelihood, had Wisconsin not crumpled under the Californian sun. The final score was close; one could argue that had Wisconsin made the 2-point conversion in the final drive and it had gone to overtime, they would have won. Or, you could blame Philip Welch for a missed field goal, which would have given them 3 points, an extra one needed for victory.
However, Welch should not have had to kick that field goal; the offence should have been more successful in their drives. It wouldn't have come down to 2 point conversion had the Badgers capitalised on the various chances they had in the multiple drive attempts they had, most notably in the second quarter.
Scoreboard!
W for Wisconsin! At the end of the day, Wisconsin did not play the kind of football they are capable of, and though I hate to say it, did not deserve to win. They did not run the football like they are capable of doing, despite having three incredible running backs. No single person can be blamed; instead it was a combination of bad decisions and calls, poor execution, and silly mistakes. I have faith that lessons will be learned, and the Badgers have a strong chance of being back in Pasadena next year.
If they are, I will be back. That's a given.
For though a victory in the football game would have been the icing on the cake, the long day spent in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains was an incredible one, memories of which could not be tarnished by the Badger loss.
The day began at 5am. That's what time we had to get up in order to leave the OC and make the drive north to Pasadena. With the car loaded up with an assortment of food and drink, the stars still shining and one small crescent of the whole moon illuminated, we hit the freeways to begin our first day in 2011. The roads were quiet as the sun rose in the East, and we soon met up with Nicole's Uncle Nathen, and cousins Shanaya and Aiden, after a quick stop at the grocery store, which surprisingly, was open at 7am on New Years Day. We were worried about getting parking on the Rose Bowl golf course, as apparently people weren't put off by the $40 price tag, or 4am opening time. But thankfully, we sailed right on in without hitting any traffic, and ended up as the first two cars in the public lot, in what was a prime location for tailgating.
Tailgate Party!"What's tailgating?" I hear you British people ask. Well, I think the term originates from the tail gate on trucks, and it is used to refer to any gathering or party before a sporting event, but in particular football. (You throw down the tailgate, and out comes the food). It has connotations of barbecuing, picnics, great atmospheres, music and fun. For us, the tailgate was a fun-filled day of food, drink and football, beginning as soon as we had parked the cars, and ending only because we had a football game to get to.
Nathen's 4x4 was packed to the brim with tailgating equipment, including grills, barbecues and chairs. Oh, and two cool boxes filled with food! Once everything was unpacked, the party began at 7.30, with hot chocolate, cinnamon rolls and coffee. Shortly followed by pancakes, bacon and egg. Next came chips (crisps) and guacamole, then carne asada (thinly sliced spiced beef), flat-iron steaks, and sirloin steak. All accompanied by tortilla wraps, bean dip, salsa, and some interesting bottles of beer. This was all eaten sat under the rising California sun, in a beautiful setting in the middle of a golf course, surrounded by the red and white of Badger fans, and the odd treacherous purple of TCU. It was the perfect combination, and I know a certain guy called Mike who would have been in heaven.
Chilling (in the chilly air) on top of the car!In between the food, I threw my first every American Football! Aiden showed me how to hold the football, and how to throw it, before we played catch with it. Then we stepped things up a notch, playing 1-on-1, before the girls joined us and we had a boys-vs-girls competition. Aiden and I planned out elaborate plays, while I kept practising my throws. I thought I was pretty good, but I still have a long way to go before the NFL! Either way, it was great fun, and laughs were had all around.
So fun in fact, I may have gotten a little carried away at times, getting into the game a little too much! I apologise to the girls if I did!! I really enjoyed playing around with the football (and now watching football too), perhaps even more so than I ever did with British football (soccer). I wish I would have had the chance to play in middle school and high school, trying out quarterback, running back, wide receivers and tackling positions. I wonder if I would have been any good? In another lifetime perhaps!
Soon, the revelry on the golf course had to end, as we packed up the cars, said goodbye to Nicole's family, and walked over to the huge Rose Bowl Stadium, fighting through the crowds to make it to our seats on time for the 2pm kick off, along with 94,118 other fans. Tickets scanned, bladders emptied, seat taken. Just in time to not hear the National Anthem, played far too quietly by the TCU marching band. Compare them, with the Wisconsin Marching Band, which is truly incredible, firing up the crowd, professionally marching in the parade, and performing a rendition of motown hits during half time. Spectacular.
Try this link for a video
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/university/article_cd9a7ade-13bc-11e0-b4b7-001cc4c03286.html?mode=video. Sadly I can't find any good ones of them performing Motown Hits at half time.
UW Band and a Sea of Red!Right before the kickoff (I think they call it that!), there was a fly over of 4 fighter jets from the Navy Seals! That was after a Stealth jet passed by in the morning, and after Navy Seals had parachuted down onto the pitch, trailing school and country flags. When they introduced the fighter pilots during half time, one of them pulled open his jumpsuit superman style to the camera, to show a red Wisconsin t-shirt underneath. A shame we didn't win.
Nevertheless, the football game was still very entertaining. Agonizing and frustrating, yes. But fun also. As always, the student section where we were sat in our incredible seats, right behind the marching band, was rocking. And jumping, minus the House of Pain music. And chanting, and cheering, groaning and screaming our hearts out. The stadium was filled with at least two thirds Wisconsin fans, and we sure made ourselves heard. What an experience.
When the game ended sadly, everyone sombrely filed out of the stadium and back to their preferred modes of transport. We didn't have to wait too long to get out of the parking lot, and we were soon on our way back to Huntington Beach. Tired, a little sad, but still pleased with a great day.
We topped the day off with a yummy piece of cheesecake from the cheesecake factory... dutch caramel apple for myself, and sat down to watch the Rose Parade, a ceremony with wonderfully decorated floats all made out of flowers! It was really incredible how much time, effort and ingenuity must have been spent on them!
That New Year's Day, the company was wonderful, the food was incredible, and the whole experience was just fantastic. I'd just like to thank the ladies for the t-shirt and rose they got for me, and for spending the day with us, Nathen for everything he provided, and executed phenomenally, and to Jason, for getting us the tickets to be there in the first place. And of course Nicole, for cheering and screaming along side of me the whole game, and for driving us all the way there and back! Thanks guys! :)
A day of roses to remember forever!
P.S. I'll upload more pictures on Facebook soon... In the meantime, check out Nicole's album over there, if you are friends with her! If you're not, become her friend!
Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 3:36AM 
