Among the Stanford players at the 100^th Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 was alumnus Gautam Krishnamurthi (‘11), who although he did not get the opportunity to play, appreciated the bonding experience he had with the team.  Stanford University played Michigan State but lost 24-20.

“It was a great feeling when we won the PAC-12 championship and had the opportunity to play in the game,” Krishnamurthi said. “We were all excited to play in the Rose Bowl but knew that we had to focus in the weeks ahead for the upcoming game.”

Krishnamurthi said that although they had a few days off before the big game, the team practiced the same ways as they had all season in preparation for the game on New Year’s Day.

Although the two teams were tied towards the beginning of the third quarter, Michigan State eventually took the lead and won the game 24-20.

“I think the team was disappointed with the loss because we felt very prepared for the game, but obviously we think that we could have played better in the game, even though they were a very good team,” Krishnamurthi said. “I think the loss really made the team think about next year, and we are ready to prepare for another run.”

Stanford earned the opportunity to play by placing first in the PAC-12. They also played in the 2013 Rose Bowl, winning the game 20-14 against the University of Wisconsin.

Not only was this the 100th Rose Bowl, but it was the last Rose Bowl where the winner of the PAC-12 played the winner of the Big 10. The new system, called the College Football Playoff features two semifinal bowl games a year, but will rotate through six bowl games, according to the official website of the College Football Playoff. On Jan. 1, 2015 the top four teams will play in either the Rose Bowl or the Sugar Bowl to determine who will proceed to the national championship.

“I think it’s a very interesting change, but I am totally in favor of the college football playoff,” Krishnamurthi said. “I think it makes the playing field a little more fair and will create more competition for the championship game, as well as putting more pressure on teams in the major four conferences to win their championship.”

Among the Stanford players at the 100^th Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 was alumnus Gautam Krishnamurthi (‘11), who although he did not get the opportunity to play, appreciated the bonding experience he had with the team.  Stanford University played Michigan State but lost 24-20.

“It was a great feeling when we won the PAC-12 championship and had the opportunity to play in the game,” Krishnamurthi said. “We were all excited to play in the Rose Bowl but knew that we had to focus in the weeks ahead for the upcoming game.”

Krishnamurthi said that although they had a few days off before the big game, the team practiced the same ways as they had all season in preparation for the game on New Year’s Day.

Although the two teams were tied towards the beginning of the third quarter, Michigan State eventually took the lead and won the game 24-20.

“I think the team was disappointed with the loss because we felt very prepared for the game, but obviously we think that we could have played better in the game, even though they were a very good team,” Krishnamurthi said. “I think the loss really made the team think about next year, and we are ready to prepare for another run.”

Stanford earned the opportunity to play by placing first in the PAC-12. They also played in the 2013 Rose Bowl, winning the game 20-14 against the University of Wisconsin.

Not only was this the 100th Rose Bowl, but it was the last Rose Bowl where the winner of the PAC-12 played the winner of the Big 10. The new system, called the College Football Playoff features two semifinal bowl games a year, but will rotate through six bowl games, according to the official website of the College Football Playoff. On Jan. 1, 2015 the top four teams will play in either the Rose Bowl or the Sugar Bowl to determine who will proceed to the national championship.

“I think it’s a very interesting change, but I am totally in favor of the college football playoff,” Krishnamurthi said. “I think it makes the playing field a little more fair and will create more competition for the championship game, as well as putting more pressure on teams in the major four conferences to win their championship.”

Krishnamurthi played wide receiver on offense and safety on defense while at the Upper School and was also a captain his senior year. He believes that his experiences in high school helped him get where he is today.

This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on Jan. 27, 2014.