1960 Rose Bowl

Teams

Washington Huskies

Main article: 1959 Washington Huskies football team

The Washington Huskies were the first conference champions of the newly-formed Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU), commonly referred to as the "Big Five" at the time (and now as the Pac-12). The conference formed in the wake of the "pay for play" scandal and collapse of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) after the 1958 season. As a result of the demise of the PCC, the Rose Bowl had no contractual agreement with either the Big Five or Big Ten to send their champions to the game: both teams received "at-large" invitations and accepted.

Washington, USC, and UCLA all finished with 3–1 conference records. Washington had defeated UCLA, which had defeated USC, which had defeated Washington. The USC loss was the only one for Washington, and the Huskies had the best record in the AAWU. Washington entered the game as the West representative, the first champions of the newly-formed AAWU conference. They were led by quarterback Bob Schloredt, a 20-year-old junior who "conspicuously lacked his trade's traditional egotism," stating "I consider myself just adequate." Remarkably, he was also 90% blind in his left eye.

Wisconsin Badgers

Main article: 1959 Wisconsin Badgers football team

Wisconsin, the Big Ten Conference champion, had a 7–2 regular season record, with losses to Purdue and Illinois. Despite the similarity in the poll rankings, Wisconsin entered the game as a 6½-point favorite, due in part to recent dominance of the Big Ten in recent Rose Bowl games, winning twelve of thirteen.

Scoring summary

1st Quarter

• WASH – Don McKeta 6-yard run (George Fleming kick)
• WASH – Fleming 36-yard field goal
• WASH – Fleming 53-yard punt return (Fleming kick)

2nd Quarter

• WISC – Tom Wiesner 4-yard run (Allan Schoonover pass from Dale Hackbart)
• WASH – Lee Folkins 23-yard pass from Bob Schloredt (Fleming kick)

3rd Quarter

• WASH – Ray Jackson 2-yard run (Fleming kick)

4th Quarter

• WASH – Schloredt 3-yard run (Fleming kick)
• WASH – Don Millich 3-yard pass from Bob Hivner (pass failed)

Game notes

• Vice President Richard Nixon served as Tournament Grand Marshal.

Aftermath

Washington quarterback Bob Schloredt and halfback George Fleming were named co-Players of the Game. Schloredt was subsequently named the Player of the Game the following year, the first in the history of the Rose Bowl to be twice-honored. In 1970, Fleming became the first African-American to be elected to the Washington state senate.

References

References

1. (January 11, 1960). "Sport: The Bowls".
2. Missildine, Harry. (January 1, 1960). "Coaches radiate confidence on eve of Rose Bowl game". Spokesman-Review.
3. (December 31, 1959). "Rose Bowl coaches to go with season regulars". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
4. (December 31, 1959). "Bowl Schedule". [[The Item]].
5. Missildine, Harry. (January 2, 1960). "Huskies magnificent in 44-8 bowl win". Spokesman-Review.
6. (January 2, 1960). "Huskies surprise 44-8 in Rose Bowl". Eugene Register-Guard.
7. (January 2, 1960). "Spectacular plays spark Huskies to victory". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
8. Missildine, Harry. (January 1, 1960). "Dick Nixon speaks at grid luncheon". Spokesman-Review.