1951 Rose Bowl

The 1951 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1951. It was the 37th Rose Bowl Game. The Michigan Wolverines, champions of the Big Ten Conference, defeated the California Golden Bears, champions of the Pacific Coast Conference, 14–6. Michigan fullback Don Dufek was named the Rose Bowl Player of the Game. With a record of 9–0–1, the Golden Bears were ranked fourth in the nation.

Michigan Wolverines
Michigan had to beat rival Ohio State in the notorious “Snow Bowl” game, which was played in 21 inches of snow.

California Golden Bears
This was California's third consecutive Rose Bowl Game. Pete Schabarum broke a 77-yard run on the second play of the game, but a backfield-in-motion penalty nullified the score to stop the Cal momentum.

First quarter

 * No score

Second quarter

 * California - Bob Cummings, 39-yard pass from Jim Marinos (Les Richter kick failed)

Third quarter

 * No score

Fourth quarter

 * Michigan - Don Dufek, 1-yard run (Harry Allis kick)
 * Michigan - Don Dufek, 7-yard run (Harry Allis kick)

Game notes

 * Chuck Ortmann completed 15 of 19 passes for 146 yards for Michigan and Jim Marinos was 4 for 7 completions for 69 yards for Cal.
 * This was Michigan's third straight bowl game victory
 * Pete Schabarum later became a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 1972.