Flashback to 1949 and 1954 – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Pair of Rose Bowl champion teams to celebrate anniversaries at halftime vs. Minnesota Saturday
1949
Coach: Wes Fesler
7-1-2, 4-1-1 Big Ten/ T-1st Big Ten
Ohio State captured a share of the Big Ten championship and collected its first Rose Bowl win, beating California, 17-14.
1950 Rose Bowl
No. 3 California 14
No. 6 Ohio State 17
Jan. 2, 1950, Rose Bowl, 100,963
PASADENA, Calif. – The Buckeyes avenged a loss to Cal in their first Rose Bowl trip by breaking a 14-all tie in the fourth quarter to snatch a victory from the Bears.
With just more than three minutes remaining in the game, Cal quarterback Bob Celeri was back to punt at his own 16 on fourth down. A low snap forced Celeri to kick the ball off his wrong (left) foot, the ball dribbling out of bounds at the Cal 13.
Three plays advanced Ohio State to the 6, where Jimmy Hague kicked the winning field goal with under two minutes remaining.
It was a dramatic end to a game OSU had dominated early, outgaining Cal 143-15 in total yards in the first half and driving inside the Bears’ 20 three times with nothing to show for it. Two Ohio State touchdowns were called back by penalty.
For the game, OSU held a 255-239 advantage in yardage, gaining 221 on the ground. Fred Morrison topped all carriers with 127 yards for the Buckeyes.
1954
Coach: Woody Hayes
10-0, 7-0/ 1st Big Ten and National Champions
Ohio State claimed its second national championship with a perfect 10-0 season, beating Southern Cal, 20-7, in a rainy, mud-soaked Rose Bowl game.
1955 Rose Bowl
No. 17 Southern California 7
No. 1 Ohio State 20
Jan. 1, 1955, Rose Bowl 89,191
PASADENA, Calif. – Woody Hayes made his first trip to the Rose Bowl a memorable one, as the Buckeyes dominated the Trojans in the rain and mud. OSU and UCLA had tied for national championship honors, but the Bruins were excluded from the bowl because of the “no repeat” rule that was in effect.
Led by Howard “Hopalong” Cassady, the Buckeye ground game drove for 304 yards, helping OSU to a 360-206 advantage in total offense. Cassady ran for 92 yards, Dave Leggett for 67 and Bob Watkins for 64. Leggett, the Ohio State quarterback, was named the outstanding player of the game. He completed six of 11 passes on the day for 63 yards and a touchdown.
