1969 Rose Bowl

1969 Rose Bowl
55th Rose Bowl Game
National Championship Game
Ohio State Buckeyes USC Trojans
(9–0) (9–0–1)
Big Ten Pac-8
27 16
Head coach: 
Woody Hayes		 Head coach: 
John McKay
APCoaches
11
APCoaches
22
1234 Total
Ohio State 010314 27
USC 01006 16
DateJanuary 1, 1969
Season1968
StadiumRose Bowl
LocationPasadena, California
MVPRex Kern (Ohio State QB)
FavoriteOhio State by 3½ points [1][2]
National anthemThe Ohio State University Marching Band
RefereeCharles Moffett (Pacific-8)
(split crew: Pac-8, Big Ten)
Halftime showSpirit of Troy, The Ohio State University Marching Band
Attendance102,063
United States TV coverage
NetworkNBC
AnnouncersCurt Gowdy, Kyle Rote
Nielsen ratings33.5
Rose Bowl
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College Football Championship Game
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The 1969 Rose Bowl was the 55th edition of the college football bowl game, played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Wednesday, January 1. The top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten Conference defeated the defending national champions - #2 USC Trojans of the Pacific-8 Conference, 27–16.[3][4][5][6] Sophomore quarterback Rex Kern of Ohio State was the Player of the Game.[7]

Heisman Trophy winner O. J. Simpson rushed for 171 yards and an 80-yard touchdown run, but USC had five turnovers, including an interception and a fumble by Simpson. It was only the second #1 vs. #2 matchup in the Rose Bowl, the first was six years earlier. It was the first time in the history of the Big 9(Ten) – PCC/Big Ten – AAWU agreements that two unbeaten teams met in the Rose Bowl.

It was the first of four Rose Bowl matchups between the head coaches; Woody Hayes of Ohio State and USC's John McKay. It was the first of three with the national championship on the line for both schools.

  1. ^ Sullwold, Chet (January 1, 1969). "Rose Bowl theme simple: Who's No.1?". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). p. 73.
  2. ^ "Young Buckeyes slight favorites over Trojans". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. December 31, 1968. p. 2B.
  3. ^ "Hayes: 'Greatest bowl victory'; SC falls, 27-16". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. January 2, 1969. p. 3B.
  4. ^ Sullwold, Chet (January 2, 1969). "Play to O.J., day to Bucks". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). p. 25.
  5. ^ Kahn, Alex (January 2, 1969). "Ohio State quiets skeptics, proves No. 1 rating by beating Trojans, 27-16". Youngstown Vindicator. (Ohio). UPI. p. 21.
  6. ^ Jenkins, Dan (January 13, 1969). "Defense and Rex make a king". Sports Illustrated. p. 16.
  7. ^ 2008 Rose Bowl Program Archived March 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, 2008 Rose Bowl. Accessed January 26, 2008.