1975 Rose Bowl

1975 Rose Bowl
61st Rose Bowl Game
Ohio State Buckeyes USC Trojans
(10–1) (9–1–1)
Big Ten Pac-8
17 18
Head coach: 
Woody Hayes		 Head coach: 
John McKay
APCoaches
32
APCoaches
54
1234 Total
Ohio State 07010 17
USC 30015 18
DateJanuary 1, 1975
Season1974
StadiumRose Bowl
LocationPasadena, California
MVPPat Haden   (USC QB)
J. K. McKay (USC SE)
FavoriteOhio State by 6 points [1][2]
RefereeCharles Moffett (Pac-8)
(split crew: Pac-8, Big Ten)
Attendance106,721
United States TV coverage
NetworkNBC
AnnouncersCurt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Nielsen ratings31.3
Rose Bowl
 < 1974  1976 > 

The 1975 Rose Bowl was the 61st edition of the college football bowl game, played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Wednesday, January 1. The fifth-ranked USC Trojans of the Pacific-8 Conference defeated #3 Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten Conference, 18–17 in one of the most exciting games in the history of the Rose Bowl.[3][4][5][6][7]

After a touchdown pass with two minutes remaining to draw within a point, USC quarterback Pat Haden passed to Shelton Diggs for a two-point conversion to take the lead.[3][4][5][6] It gave the Trojans the Rose Bowl victory and the UPI coaches poll national title.

This was the third consecutive year for these teams in the Rose Bowl: USC won in 1973, Ohio State in 1974.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference b6pp was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference csrvgtc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Underwood, John; Jares, Joe (January 13, 1975). "Top of the ladder, with a boost". Sports Illustrated. p. 24.
  4. ^ a b Dodds, Tracy (January 2, 1975). "Trojans disdain tie in 18-17 victory". Milwaukee Journal. p. 11, part 2.
  5. ^ a b Cour, Jim (January 2, 1975). "Number one son no gamble for McKay". Beaver County Times. (Pennsylvania). UPI. p. D4.
  6. ^ a b "Trojans grab Roses, 18-17". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. January 2, 1975. p. 1B.
  7. ^ Rose Bowl Timeline