While both University of Wisconsin teams suffered similar last-second defeats, it was the manner in which the basketball team’s loss occurred that sets these two instances apart.  During the Rose Bowl, there was no question that the time had run out before Badgers quarterback Russell Wilson could spike the ball at the Ducks’ 25-yard line.

As for last night’s game, I’m still not sure what to make of those final seconds.

With the Badgers trailing the Michigan State Spartans by three with less than five seconds remaining, Jordan Taylor’s three-point attempt missed the target, but Ryan Evans was able to grab the rebound, carry the ball outside the three-point arch and hit what appeared to be a game-tying basket.  The initial replay looked as though the basket would stand, but that was before everyone realized that the time on the arena scoreboard – which is the one used on the screen during television broadcasts – was one second behind the time that is displayed on the shot clock directly behind the backboard.

As it turns out, the time on the shot-clock overrides the time on the arena scoreboard, resulting in no basket and a Spartans victory.

The replay at the 0:35 mark provides a great view of the differentiation between the two clocks.  You can check it out below.

Sure, Thomas may have only carried the ball twice, but both of those carries went for long touchdowns, including a 91-yard run at the end of the first quarter that tied the game at 14-14 and set a new Rose Bowl record for longest run.  The previous mark was held by Tyrone Wheatley, who recorded an 88-yard run during the 1993 Rose Bowl.

For Thomas, the “Granddaddy of Them All” was the perfect stage for him to show the entire nation why he is one of the most dynamic weapons in all of college football. And for those who didn’t receive that message during his first touchdown run, they surely got it during his second; a 61-yard end-around at the beginning of the third quarter.

With De’Anthony Thomas still in Eugene next season, don’t expect the Ducks’ offense to slow down in 2012.

Interestingly enough, the interviewees aren’t the only ones liquored up during this segment.   The interviewers also appear as though they have had one too many, which only makes the following five minutes of interviews with Badgers fans of all ages that much more entertaining.

Hat Tip – [Reddit Football]

Let us break down this scenario for you.  As a recruiter at the University of Wisconsin you have a dilemma on your hands.  You are trying to win a recruiting battle for one of the top high school running backs in the nation.  However, said running back is black, and although you would love to tell him about the presence of ethnic diversity on the University of Wisconsin campus, you do not have any photos to prove it.  In fact, all of the photos of fans in attendance for football games at Camp Randall Stadium depict an all-white crowd.  So what do you do?

Photoshop a black guy in, of course!

That was the case with this fan from the University of Wisconsin, who dawned the Badgers’ cardinal red among the many surrounding Midshipmen in white at a Navy vs. Louisiana game this past weekend.

So how did this whole adventure come about?  We will leave it to the the man, Kelly Luster, to divulge his own story:

“One of my colleagues works at the U.S. Naval Academy and suggested we put together a trip to the Navy vs. Louisiana game last weekend. I believe there were about 30 or so who decided to go. As is the Wisconsin tradition, we also tailgated before, during and after the game. As is also UW tradition, I represented the Badgers by wearing a Badger hooded sweatshirt to the Navy game. Someone once said, no matter where you go, you’ll find a fellow Badger. Sure enough, no less than a dozen Wisconsin alums stopped by our tailgate.

“As we entered the game and took our seats, I noticed the Midshipmen directly across from our seats. Then it dawned on me… I would stand out in that crowd. I told my friend to watch gate seven directly behind the Midshipmen. I went around the stadium and made my way down to the center of the Midshipmen seating section and wave to my partners in crime across the stadium. Before you knew it, several pictures had been taken. I was then informed I needed to leave the Midshipmen seating section. However, Badger Spirit had already been captured.” [Wisconsin Alumni Association]

This sounds like an idea that could only be pulled off after several hours of tailgating, but we are impressed that it was actually thought up after all those hours of drinking.  As for the Navy’s Midshipmen who had their section intruded upon by a visiting Badger?  Surprisingly, they didn’t do the best job defending their home territory.  Something just isn’t very comforting about that.

Hat Tip – [Wisconsin Alumni Association]