rd in the most recent USA TODAY Sports coaches' poll, came in with more losses than any Rose Bowl team in history. Midway through the third quarter, no player had caught more than two passes, and neither starting quarterback had thrown for more than 100 yards.
In the third quarter, the teams combined for seven punts and three first downs.
The only score in the second half was a 22-yard field goal by Stanford's Jordan Williamson.
Stanford coach David Shaw said before the game that his offense is what it is — a hard-nosed, straight-ahead running game — and it planned to run the ball between the tackles, repeatedly.
Then, on Stanford's first possession, Shaw dug into a little-used bag of tricks and pulled out a wide receiver pass – Drew Terrell to Jamal-Rashad Patterson — for a 34-yard gain and then an end around by wide receiver Kelsey Young that resulted in a 16-yard touchdown run.
Then, on the next possession, Kevin Hogan threw a bomb down the middle to stellar tight end Zach Ertz for a 43-yard gain that set up a three-yard scoring burst by Stepfan Taylor for a 14-0 lead just 8½ minutes into the game.
Hogan had been a revelation since taking over for Josh Nunes two-thirds of the way through the season. He came into the Rose Bowl 4-0 as a starter — all against ranked opponents — and put some pop into the Stanford offense with his dual threats as a passer and runner.
The Badgers, down 14-0, responded with a long drive that took more than eight minutes off the clock and got to the Stanford 1-yard line — and resulted in nothing.
Wisconsin had two touchdowns signaled on the drive. The first was called back on a holding penalty, resulting in first-and-goal from the 18. The second was on a third-and-goal pass from Curt Phillips to Jacob Pedersen ruled a TD on the field but, after replay, placed on the 1-yard line.
On fourth down, running back James White took a direct snap and was stopped for no gain.
The drive did back Stanford up against its goal line, though, and an ensuing punt gave Wisconsin a short field and the Badgers capitalized, going 49 yards in five plays, scoring on an 11-yard run by Ball.
Wisconsin was not really capable of passing the ball down the field, but Phillips mixed in some key scrambles; his 38-yard run set up a four-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Fredrick that brought the Badgers to within 17-14 just before halftime.
PHOTOS: All the action from the 2012-13 bowl games 
Georgia's Alexander Ogletree celebrates with the Capital One Bowl trophy after the win over Nebraska.
Scott Cunningham Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead attempts to break the tackle of Georgia linebacker Michael Gilliard during the second quarter of the Capital One Bowl.
Douglas Jones, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
South Carolina players salute the fans after the 33-28 win in the Outback Bowl.
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
South Carolina linebacker DeVonte Holloman tackles Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner during the first quarter of the Outback Bowl.
Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Northwestern's Brian Arnfelt hosts the Gator Bowl trophy after the 34-20 win over Mississippi State.
Stephen Morton AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Northwestern's Dan Vitale is tripped up by Mississippi State cornerback Quinn Evans during the first half of the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field.
Melina Vastola, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Oklahoma State players hoist the winner's trophy while celebrating a 58-14 defeat of Purdue in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Oklahoma State receiver Blake Jackson catches a touchdown pass against the defense of Purdue safety Landon Feichter during the first half of the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney speaks to the crowd after the Tigers defeated LSU 25-24 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome.
Paul Abell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches a touchdown pass against the defense of LSU safety Eric Reid in the second half of the Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome.
Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Tulsa Golden Hurricane players hold up the Liberty Bowl trophy and ring the bell after the game against the Iowa State Cyclones in the Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Stadium. Tulsa won 31-17.
Spruce Derden, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Tulsa Golden Hurricane running back Trey Watts advances the ball against Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Jansen Watson in the Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Stadium. Tulsa won 31-17.
Spruce Derden, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Georgia Tech players pose with the Sun Bowl trophy after beating North Carolina State 38-24.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Georgia Tech cornerback Rod Sweeting breaks up a pass intended for USC's Robert Woods in the Yellow Jackets' 38-24 Sun Bowl win.
Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Vanderbilt players celebrate after beating North Carolina State 38-24 in the Music City Bowl.
Don McPeak, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Vanderbilt running back Zac Stacy gets ready to stiff arm a North Carolina State linebacker in the second quarter of the 38-24 win in the Music City Bowl.
Jae S. Lee, The Tennessean Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio celebrates winning the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl game against TCU at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Spartans defeated TCU, 17-16.
Cheryl Evans, The Arizona Republic Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Michigan State Spartans safety Isaiah Lewis intercepts a pass intended for TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Josh Boyce during the first half during the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Michigan State won, 17-16.
Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
From right to left, Texas Longhorns head coach Mack Brown, running back D.J. Monroe and safety Kenny Vaccaro react after defeating the Oregon State Beavers in the Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. Texas won 31-27.
Brendan Maloney, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Marquise Goodwin carries the ball against the Oregon State Beavers during the second half of the Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. Texas beat Oregon State 31-27.
Brendan Maloney, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jamal Miles celebrates with teammates after the Sun Devils defeated the Navy Midshipmen 62-28 in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park.
Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Arizona State Sun Devils running back Marion Grice runs for a touchdown against the Navy Midshipmen in the first quarter of the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park. Arizona State won, 62-28.
Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Syracuse Orange head coach Doug Marrone lifts the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl Championship trophy following a 38-14 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers at Yankee Stadium.
Rich Barnes, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Syracuse Orange running back Prince-Tyson Gulley leaps over a teammate as he runs the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the third quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Rice's Paul Porras (24), Taylor Cook (3) and linebacker Cameron Nwosu (57) carry the trophy off the field after beating Air Force 33-14 in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas.
Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Rice wide receiver Jordan Taylor lands after catching a touchdown pass in the Owls' 33-14 win over Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.
LM Otero, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Members of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate with the Meineke Care Care Bowl trophy after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Reliant Stadium, 34-31.
Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
