1922 Rose Bowl

Game summary

The Cal team was highly favored in this game, causing one sportswriter to say "All I know about Washington and Jefferson is that they're both dead."

The 1921 Washington & Jefferson team, coached by Greasy Neale, went 10–0 in the regular season, defeating powerhouses Pitt, University of Detroit, and Syracuse. The 7–0 victory over rival Pitt was celebrated with a day of canceled classes and bonfire with inspiration speeches in front of the Washington County Courthouse. mortgaged his house to pay his family's way. Thus, W&J would be the last Rose Bowl team to play the same 11 men the entire game. During the train ride to Pasadena, in which Greasy Neale continued to prepare his men, one player caught pneumonia and could not finish the journey. Another player who had secretly stowed away on the train was given the ill player's ticket and roster spot.

Cal had outscored their opponents on the season, 312–33, but the W&J defense held the Golden Bears' potent offense, led by Brick Muller, with no points and no completed passes, just two first downs, and only 49 yards rushing. In one of the most disputed plays in Rose Bowl history, a W&J rushing touchdown was overturned for an offside violation. The game was notable as the last time a "small school" would be represented in the Rose Bowl. W&J's team featured three Rose Bowl firsts: Herb Kopf was the first freshman to play, Charles Fremont West was the first African-American to play quarterback, and Hal Erickson became the only man ever to play in two Rose Bowls, with two teams, without losing. W&J's Russ Stein was named Player of the Game. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1991. The Red and Black finished the season with a share of the "mythical national championship," as determined by the Boand System.

Records

• The only scoreless tie in Rose Bowl history, and one of the four scoreless ties in major bowl games.
• Fewest passing yards: 0
• Tied the record for fewest total points

References

References

1. Campbell, Jim. (August 2006). "The 1922 Rose Bowl: David v. Goliath". [[LA84 Foundation]].
2. (April 10, 2014). "GRANDSON OF 1924 GRADUATE DONATES SCRAPBOOK OF ROSE BOWL MEMORIES". Washington & Jefferson College.
3. Florence, Mal. (January 1, 1998). "Some Rose Bowl Stories Have a Different Spin". [[Los Angeles Times]].
4. E. Lee, North. (1991). "Battling the Indians, Panthers, and Nittany Lions: The Story of Washington & Jefferson College's First Century of Football, 1890-1990". Daring Books.
5. "Robert Murphy : Washington and Jefferson College Football".
6. "Charles "Pruner" West (1922)". Washington & Jefferson College.
7. (2009). "Bowl/All-Star Game Records". [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]].
8. "Rose Bowl Hall of Fame".