1963 Rose Bowl
Encyclopedia
The 1963 Rose Bowl was a college football
bowl game
played on January 1, 1963 at the end of the 1962 college football season
. It was the 49th Rose Bowl Game
. The USC Trojans defeated the Wisconsin Badgers
, 42–37. This was the first #1 versus #2 match-up to occur in a bowl game, although #1 versus #2 match-ups had occurred previously as regular season games (typically referred to as "Games of the Century
"). Ron Vander Kelen
, the Wisconsin quarterback and Pete Beathard
, the USC quarterback, were both named the Rose Bowl Player of the Game. Down 42–14 in the fourth quarter, Wisconsin quarterback Ron Vander Kelen put together a number of drives to score 23 unanswered points and put the Badgers in position to win the game. Due to the historic #1 versus #2 bowl match-up, the number of Rose Bowl records set, and the furious fourth quarter rally by Wisconsin, this game frequently appears on lists of "greatest bowl games of all time" .
played – it was the first time this happened in any bowl game. It was the seventh time overall that the #1 and #2 team faced each other since the inception of the AP Poll in 1936. The Bowl Championship Series
(BCS) was created much later to ensure a bowl game matchup of the top two teams in the nation: prior to the BCS, #1 versus #2 games were rare—especially in bowl games. This was the second Rose Bowl meeting between USC and Wisconsin (the first being the 1953 Rose Bowl
) and the fourth meeting, overall.
and Indiana
. On October 13, they defeated Notre Dame
17–8, which would propel them to a #10 ranking. The Badgers then defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes
42–15, which left them ranked #5 in the nation. A 14–7 loss to Ohio State
the next week dropped Wisconsin out of the polls (dropping out of the top 10, not the top 25 as the polls are currently structured). On November 3, the Badgers won in Michigan Stadium
over the Wolverines
34–12. This set up the November 10th homecoming game with the Badgers ranked #8 and the #1 ranked Northwestern Wildcats
at Camp Randall
. Wisconsin smashed Northwestern 37–6. A win at Illinois
set up a #3 Wisconsin versus #5 Minnesota
battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe
. Minnesota had represented the Big Ten the previous two years in the Rose Bowl. Wisconsin was victorious 14–9, and was awarded the Big Ten Rose Bowl berth. They finished the season ranked #2 in the nation.
. Consecutive wins against SMU
, at Iowa, California
, and at Illinois got the Trojans ranked higher in the top 10. On November 3, 1962, the Trojans played their biggest game of the season against the Washington Huskies
, who were ranked #9. In the homecoming game, the Trojans blanked the Huskies 14–0. With that win, the Trojans were ranked number two behind Northwestern. On November 17, by beating Navy
and with Alabama
losing to Georgia Tech
7–6, USC ascended to the number one spot in the AP poll. In the UCLA-USC rivalry
game, the Bruins
led 3–0 until the fourth quarter, when the Trojans scored two touchdowns. In what would be the final game for Notre Dame football coach Joe Kuharich
, USC shut out a 5–4 Notre Dame team at the Coliseum
. The Trojans finished undefeated and ranked number 1 for the first time since the 1939 USC Trojans team played in the 1940 Rose Bowl
.
, the father of USC and Los Angeles Raiders QB Todd Marinovich
, was ejected when he got caught elbowing Steve Underwood, the Wisconsin captain. Wisconsin, under the direction of quarterback Ron Vander Kelen put together an incredible comeback attempt in the fourth quarter. Pete Beathard had completed his fourth TD pass with 14:54 left in the game to put USC up 42–14. Then the Badgers scored 23 unanswered points before time ran out.
). The omitted records stood for more than thirty years were broken by Danny O'Neil
of the Oregon Ducks
in the 1995 Rose Bowl
.
The 1964 Cotton Bowl Classic subsequently became the second #1 versus #2 bowl game, while the 1969 Rose Bowl
became the second #1 versus #2 Rose Bowl.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
played on January 1, 1963 at the end of the 1962 college football season
1962 college football season
During the 20th Century, the NCAA had no playoff for the college football teams that would later be described as "Division I-A". The NCAA did recognize a national champion based upon the final results of "wire service" polls. The extent of that recognition came in the form of acknowledgment in...
. It was the 49th Rose Bowl Game
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
. The USC Trojans defeated the Wisconsin Badgers
1962 Wisconsin Badgers football team
The 1962 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1962 college football season, and in the 1963 Rose Bowl as the champions of the Big Ten Conference.-Season:...
, 42–37. This was the first #1 versus #2 match-up to occur in a bowl game, although #1 versus #2 match-ups had occurred previously as regular season games (typically referred to as "Games of the Century
Game of the Century (college football)
The phrase "Game of the Century" is a superlative that has been applied to several college football contests played in the 20th century, the first full century of college football in the United States...
"). Ron Vander Kelen
Ron Vander Kelen
Ronald Vander Kelen is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He played at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is best-known for his MVP performance in the 1963 Rose Bowl, where he broke numerous Rose Bowl records, some of which still...
, the Wisconsin quarterback and Pete Beathard
Pete Beathard
Peter Falconer Beathard is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who played professionally in the American Football League , the National Football League , and the World Football League ....
, the USC quarterback, were both named the Rose Bowl Player of the Game. Down 42–14 in the fourth quarter, Wisconsin quarterback Ron Vander Kelen put together a number of drives to score 23 unanswered points and put the Badgers in position to win the game. Due to the historic #1 versus #2 bowl match-up, the number of Rose Bowl records set, and the furious fourth quarter rally by Wisconsin, this game frequently appears on lists of "greatest bowl games of all time" .
Teams
This was the first time in the Rose Bowl where the #1 and #2 teams on the AP PollAP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
played – it was the first time this happened in any bowl game. It was the seventh time overall that the #1 and #2 team faced each other since the inception of the AP Poll in 1936. The Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
(BCS) was created much later to ensure a bowl game matchup of the top two teams in the nation: prior to the BCS, #1 versus #2 games were rare—especially in bowl games. This was the second Rose Bowl meeting between USC and Wisconsin (the first being the 1953 Rose Bowl
1953 Rose Bowl
The 1953 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1953 at the end of the 1952 college football season. It was the 39th Rose Bowl Game. It was the first-ever Rose Bowl appearance by the Badgers and the first appearance for the Trojans since the 1948 Rose Bowl. This game was...
) and the fourth meeting, overall.
Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin opened the season by defeating New Mexico StateNew Mexico State Aggies football
The New Mexico State Aggies football team represents New Mexico State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football competition as a member of the Western Athletic Conference ....
and Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers football
The Indiana Hoosiers football program represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and in the Big Ten Conference.-Bowl games:...
. On October 13, they defeated Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
17–8, which would propel them to a #10 ranking. The Badgers then defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
42–15, which left them ranked #5 in the nation. A 14–7 loss to Ohio State
1962 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1962 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1962-1963. The Buckeyes compiled a 6–3 record.-Schedule:-1963 Pro draftees:-References:Win/Loss statistics*...
the next week dropped Wisconsin out of the polls (dropping out of the top 10, not the top 25 as the polls are currently structured). On November 3, the Badgers won in Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium, nicknamed "The Big House," is the football stadium for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan Stadium was built in 1927 at a cost of $950,000 and had an original capacity of 72,000. Before playing football at the stadium, the Wolverines played on Ferry Field...
over the Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
34–12. This set up the November 10th homecoming game with the Badgers ranked #8 and the #1 ranked Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
at Camp Randall
Camp Randall Stadium
Camp Randall Stadium is an outdoor stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. It has been the home of the Wisconsin Badgers football team in rudimentary form since 1895, and as a complete stadium since 1917. It is located on the center-southern region of the University of Wisconsin campus. The stadium seats...
. Wisconsin smashed Northwestern 37–6. A win at Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini football
The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...
set up a #3 Wisconsin versus #5 Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe
Paul Bunyan's Axe
Paul Bunyan's Axe, named after the mythical giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan, is a prize awarded every year to the winner of the college football game between Minnesota and Wisconsin.-History:...
. Minnesota had represented the Big Ten the previous two years in the Rose Bowl. Wisconsin was victorious 14–9, and was awarded the Big Ten Rose Bowl berth. They finished the season ranked #2 in the nation.
USC Trojans
After two consecutive losing season in 1960 and 1961, John McKay turned the Trojans around in his third season as head coach. The team opened with a defeat of number 8 ranked DukeDuke Blue Devils football
The Duke Blue Devils football program is a college football team that represents Duke University . The team is currently a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference , which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Blue Devils compete in the Coastal...
. Consecutive wins against SMU
SMU Mustangs football
The SMU Mustangs football program is a college football team that represents Southern Methodist University . The team competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member Conference USA...
, at Iowa, California
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
, and at Illinois got the Trojans ranked higher in the top 10. On November 3, 1962, the Trojans played their biggest game of the season against the Washington Huskies
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
, who were ranked #9. In the homecoming game, the Trojans blanked the Huskies 14–0. With that win, the Trojans were ranked number two behind Northwestern. On November 17, by beating Navy
Navy Midshipmen football
The Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007...
and with Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
losing to Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
7–6, USC ascended to the number one spot in the AP poll. In the UCLA-USC rivalry
UCLA-USC rivalry
The UCLA–USC rivalry is the American college rivalry between the UCLA Bruins sports teams of the University of California, Los Angeles and the USC Trojans sports teams of the University of Southern California ....
game, the Bruins
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
led 3–0 until the fourth quarter, when the Trojans scored two touchdowns. In what would be the final game for Notre Dame football coach Joe Kuharich
Joe Kuharich
Joseph Lawrence Kuharich was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of San Francisco from 1948 to 1951 and at the University of Notre Dame from 1959 to 1962, compiling a career college football record of 43–37...
, USC shut out a 5–4 Notre Dame team at the Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
. The Trojans finished undefeated and ranked number 1 for the first time since the 1939 USC Trojans team played in the 1940 Rose Bowl
1940 Rose Bowl
The 1940 Rose Bowl, played on January 1, 1940, was an American Football bowl game. It was the 26th Rose Bowl Game. The USC Trojans defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 14-0. Ambrose Schindler, the USC quarterback, was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game when the award was created in 1953 and...
.
Game summary
USC tackle Marv MarinovichMarv Marinovich
Marv Marinovich is a retired American football offensive guard and sports trainer.-Early years:...
, the father of USC and Los Angeles Raiders QB Todd Marinovich
Todd Marinovich
Todd Marvin Marinovich is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. He played for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League, and also in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League...
, was ejected when he got caught elbowing Steve Underwood, the Wisconsin captain. Wisconsin, under the direction of quarterback Ron Vander Kelen put together an incredible comeback attempt in the fourth quarter. Pete Beathard had completed his fourth TD pass with 14:54 left in the game to put USC up 42–14. Then the Badgers scored 23 unanswered points before time ran out.
First quarter
- USC touchdown Pete Beathard to Ron Butcher
- Wisconsin Touchdown 1-yard run by Ralph Kurek fullback
Third quarter
- USC touchdown Beathard pass to Hal Bedsole (57 yards)
- Wisconsin touchdown VanderKelen 17-yard run
- USC touchdown pass by Pete Beathard to Hal Bedsole
Fourth quarter
- USC touchdown pass by Pete Beathard to Fred Hill
- Wisconsin touchdown Lou Holland (13-yard run)
- Wisconsin touchdown Gary Kroner (4-yard reception)
- Wisconsin safety A bad snap on USC punt resulted in a UW safety.
- Wisconsin touchdown VanderKelen 19-yard pass to Pat Richter for the final 42–37 score
Rose Bowl records set
| Statistic | Total, Team | Status |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 32, Wisconsin | current |
| Passes attempted | 48, Wisconsin | broken in 1995 1995 Rose Bowl The 1995 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on Monday January 2, 1995 because New Year's Day was on a Sunday. It was the 81st Rose Bowl Game. The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Oregon Ducks 38–20. Ki-Jana Carter of Penn State and Danny O'Neil of Oregon both were named... |
| Passes intercepted | 3, Wisconsin | tied in 1984 1984 Rose Bowl The 1984 Rose Bowl game, played on January 2, was the 70th Rose Bowl game. The UCLA Bruins defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini by a score of 45-9. Rick Neuheisel, UCLA quarterback, was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns... - current |
| Passes completed | 33, Wisconsin | broken in 1995 1995 Rose Bowl The 1995 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on Monday January 2, 1995 because New Year's Day was on a Sunday. It was the 81st Rose Bowl Game. The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Oregon Ducks 38–20. Ki-Jana Carter of Penn State and Danny O'Neil of Oregon both were named... |
| Passing yards | 401, Wisconsin | broken in 1995 |
| Most Plays | ??, Wisconsin | broken in 1995 |
| Total Offense | ??, Wisconsin | broken in 1995 |
| Combined points | 79, Wisconsin & USC | broken in 1991 1991 Rose Bowl The 1991 Rose Bowl was the 77th Rose Bowl Game, played on January 1, 1991. The #8 Washington Huskies built a 33-7 halftime lead and defeated the #17 Iowa Hawkeyes 46-34. Washington sophomore quarterback Mark Brunell was named the Player of the Game.... |
| TD passes | 4, USC | tied in 1984, 2005 2005 Rose Bowl The 2005 Rose Bowl Game was the 91st edition of the college football bowl game, held on January 1, 2005 at the self-named stadium in Pasadena, California. The Texas Longhorns, second place finishers of the Big 12 Conference's South Division, defeated the Michigan Wolverines, co-champions of the... - current |
| Combined TD passes | 6, Wisconsin & USC | ??? |
| Penalties | 12 for 93 yards, USC | ??? |
Aftermath
Eleven Rose Bowl records were set and five still stand as of 2008: most intercepted passes (3 by Ron Vander Kelen), most touchdown passes (4 by USC, and six overall), most first downs by one team (32 by Wisconsin), and most penalties (USC 12 for 93 yards). The Rose Bowl record 79 total points scored in this game stood for nearly thirty years (subsequently broken in the 1991 Rose Bowl1991 Rose Bowl
The 1991 Rose Bowl was the 77th Rose Bowl Game, played on January 1, 1991. The #8 Washington Huskies built a 33-7 halftime lead and defeated the #17 Iowa Hawkeyes 46-34. Washington sophomore quarterback Mark Brunell was named the Player of the Game....
). The omitted records stood for more than thirty years were broken by Danny O'Neil
Danny O'Neil
Danny O'Neil is a former American football quarterback.O'Neil grew up in Orange County, California before attending the University of Oregon and becoming the starting quarterback for the Oregon Ducks football team. In 1994, O'Neil led the Ducks to the Pac-10 championship and a berth in the 1995...
of the Oregon Ducks
Oregon Ducks football
The Oregon Ducks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Oregon located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Known as the Ducks, the...
in the 1995 Rose Bowl
1995 Rose Bowl
The 1995 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on Monday January 2, 1995 because New Year's Day was on a Sunday. It was the 81st Rose Bowl Game. The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Oregon Ducks 38–20. Ki-Jana Carter of Penn State and Danny O'Neil of Oregon both were named...
.
The 1964 Cotton Bowl Classic subsequently became the second #1 versus #2 bowl game, while the 1969 Rose Bowl
1969 Rose Bowl
The 1969 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1969. It was the 55th Rose Bowl Game. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the USC Trojans, 27–16. Rex Kern, the Ohio State quarterback, was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game....
became the second #1 versus #2 Rose Bowl.