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Oregon Ducks legend LaMichael James will be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, the Tournament of Roses announced on Sept. 4. Other inductees will include former USC running back Reggie Bush and former Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio.
Bush was a legend at USC, and was recently given his Heisman Trophy back for his 2005 season. Dantonio is the winningest coach in Michigan State history. James was the running back for the Ducks from 2009-2011 and is widely considered an Oregon legend.
James will be honored at the 136th Rose Parade and on the field during the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal on Jan. 1, 2025. James will also be honored at a private ceremony held by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses on Dec. 31
. The Rose Bowl is one of the most, if not the most, popular bowl game in college football.
Rose Bowl Details
The "Grand Daddy of Them All" is the famous bowl game all fans love to see on New Year's Day. The game is most notable for the beautiful sunset view behind the stadium in Pasadena, Calif. There have been many memorable moments in the Rose Bowl, such as Ohio State's 48-45 victory over Utah in 2022, Vince Young's 2006 performance to win Texas a national championship over USC or LaMichaels' 159-yard performance against Wisconsin in 2012. The Rose Bowl plays a pivotal role in the pride of college football.
Legendary LaMichael
By all accounts, James is considered an Oregon legend. Many fans remember him as the running back who came before the polarizing DeAnthony Thomas. He appeared in the national championship game against Auburn in 2011 and played a pivotal role in Oregon's Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin on New Year's Day in 2012.
From New Boston, Texas, James initially eyed offers from many Southeastern Conference teams, such as Arkansas and Mississippi State. However, the Nike swoosh helped draw James to the Ducks. He burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2009., logging 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns on 6.7 yards per carry. In the 2010 season, James broke all the way out. He tallied the most rushing yards in the country at 1,731, finished third in the Heisman voting and received the Doak Walker Award. James showed out in 2011 as well, by rushing for 2,015 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns.
James's Rose Bowl Performance
In James' final collegiate game—in the Rose Bowl—he carried the load for the Ducks with 25 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown. In that game, Oregon faced off against the Wisconsin Badgers, who were led by Russell Wilson at the time. The game was back-and-forth, but the dynamic duo of James and Thomas was too much for the Badgers.
Wisconsin took a 7-0 lead to start the game. However, Oregon responded the next drive. Darron Thomas led the Ducks on an extensive 80-yard drive that was finished off by James with a 1-yard touchdown. In this game, we also saw the legendary 91-yard touchdown run from DeAnthony Thomas.DeAnthony Thomas also had a 64-yard touchdown rush on his only other rushing attempt of the game. James, however, was Oregons' bell cow for the entirety of the game. The Ducks defeated the Badgers 45-38.
A Salute to James
James was part of the Oregon era that really busted onto the scene as a national title contender and an elite football brand. No true Oregon fan can talk about Ducks legends without mentioning the beloved James. James crawled, so many of the players could now walk. Every member of the Oregon community considers him one of the greatest Ducks of all time.
James can still be found in the Eugene area, where he owns "Killer Burger," a popular restaurant. He is also still involved with the football program. Running backs coach Ra'Shaad Samples mentioned that he talks with James while studying plays and that he has been "awesome." James was named to the College Football Hall of Fame last December.
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