The UO has a rich history with “The Granddaddy of Them All” — as the Ducks made their fifth trip to Pasadena since 2010. The UO’s strong connection to Southern California makes the Rose Bowl a special opportunity for alumni, faculty, staff, and students alike to connect at admissions events, service projects, and pregame celebrations.

After winning the Big Ten Championship Game and securing the first 13-0 start in program history, the Oregon football team earned the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff and a berth in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. The undefeated Ducks clinched one of four first-round byes in the inaugural 12-team CFP field with their 45-37 win over Penn State in the Big Ten title game and await the winner of No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Tennessee in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day in Pasadena. It was Oregon’s second appearance in the College Football Playoff. The Ducks were part of the inaugural four-team field in 2014 and defeated Florida State in the Rose Bowl to advance to the first-ever CFP National Championship Game.

The UO is a top out-of-state choice for California students, with much of the student body hailing from the southern half of the state. The region is also home to more than 12,000 alumni, making it the largest network outside of Oregon. The popularity and prestige of the Rose Bowl give the university an unparalleled opportunity to showcase its strengths as Oregon’s public flagship and one of America’s leading research universities. Against the backdrop of the Rose Bowl, the UO celebrated its reputation as an agent of change and innovation and served the community while in Pasadena.

The University of Oregon is embarking on an ambitious plan that will put it in a stronger position to support students, Oregon, and the nation, in part by elevating scholarship, particularly in areas where the UO can be a global leader.