American Football Database
Register
Advertisement

Template:Good Article

1924 Rose Bowl
10th Rose Bowl Game
1 2 3 4 Total
University of Washington 0 7 0 7 14
United States Naval Academy 0 14 0 0 14
Date January 1, 1924
Season 1923
Stadium Rose Bowl Stadium
Location Pasadena, California
MVP Elmer Tesreau (Washington RB)
National anthem Navy Band
Attendance 40,000[1]
Rose Bowl
 < 1923  1925

The 1924 Rose Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game played between the independent Navy Midshipmen and the Washington Huskies of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC). The game took place on January 1, 1924 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and marked the conclusion of the 1923 college football season. The game ended in a 14-14 tie, in front of a crowd of approximately 40,000 people. The game was the first post-season bowl game for both teams. The 1924 game was the tenth edition of the Rose Bowl game, which had first been played in 1902 but was replaced until 1916. The stadium had been constructed the year before, making this the second game played in the Rose Bowl.

The game selected a team from both the east and west coasts, and asked the University of Washington to represent the west. Washington requested that the Navy Midshipmen be their opponents, and Navy accepted. Both teams had only suffered a single loss during the season, however, Washington had won eight games as opposed to five by Navy, as well as two ties amassed by the Midshipmen. The game kicked off in the afternoon of January 1, after heavy rainshowers the day before. The first quarter went scorless, but Navy scored on the first play of the second quarter. Washington answered the Midshipmen with a 23-yard touchdown run the next drive. Near the end of the second quarter, Navy scored on a two yard run, giving them a 14-7 halftime lead.

The third quarter was a defensive stalemate, with neither team scoring. Navy fumbled the ball on their own ten yard line later in the quarter. Four plays later, the Huskies tied the game on a twelve yard touchdown pass. Navy threw an interception at midfield, and Washington drove down to the Navy 20-yard line, before attempting a game-winning field goal. The field goal missed, and the game ended shortly afterwards.

Team selection[]

From its inauguration in 1902 until 1947, the Rose Bowl game hosted a team from the east coast and a team from the west coast. The game was known as the Tournament East-West football game until the construction of the Rose Bowl stadium in 1923.[2][3] Because the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) was the only conference with teams located in the Western United States, schools from the conference had been chosen for every Rose Bowl game.[4] The tournament invited the University of Washington Huskies to participate in the 1924 game, and they accepted. Washington was then allowed by the Rose Bowl to select its opponent for the game. This was the first time a team was allowed to do so. The Huskies chose the Navy Midshipmen as their opponents, who accepted the invitation.[2]

Navy[]

The Navy Midshipmen came into the Rose Bowl under coach Bob Folwell, with five wins, one loss, and two ties. (5-1-2). The Midshipmen's sole loss in the 1923 season came in the team's annual game against Penn State, where they lost by a score of 21-3. All five of Navy's wins came against eastern teams, including Colgate and William and Mary. Two of the Midshipmen's wins were shutouts, coming against Colgate and Saint Xavier. The midshipmen tied 0-0 with Army in the 1923 Army-Navy Game. Their other tie came in a 3-3 game against Princeton. The Midshipmen were selected by Washington to participate in the Rose Bowl, although several teams with better records were eligible to be selected.[2][5]

Washington[]

The Washington Huskies entered the 1924 Rose bowl with a record of eight wins and one loss (8-1) under coach Enoch Bagshaw. The Huskies opened their season with victories over men from the USS Mississippi and the USS New York, however, as these teams were not representing colleges, they were not considered officially part of Washington's schedule.[5] The Huskies' first official game ended with a 34-0 shutout of Willamette, which was followed by four straight shutouts. Washington's next game was a 26-14 victory over PCC opponent Montana, the first points Washington allowed all season. The Huskies next game was their sole loss; a 9-0 shutout by conference opponent California. Washington finished the regular season with two straight wins over conference opponents, including winning the Apple Cup over Washington State.[5] The Huskies were selected by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses to represent the west in the Rose Bowl. The Huskies then asked the Midshipmen to represent the east.[6]

Pre-game buildup[]

The 1924 Rose Bowl was the first meeting between Navy and Washington,[5] and was the first bowl game that either team participated in.[7] The teams for the game were announced on November 30, 1923,[6] and the teams arrived for the bowl in mid-December, holding practices up until the evening before the game.[5][8] It rained heavily the night before the game. Washington coach Enoch Bagshaw was quoted as stating "Wet weather will not bother us", and Navy coach Bob Folwell stated that "My men will know what to do in the mud and will be there doing it".[5] Because of the wet conditions, several football critics predicted that Washington would have a slight advantage in the game.[5] It was estimated that approximately 52,000 people would attend the game.[5] For the first time, the job of ticket sales had been given to the participating teams, and as a result, only 40,000 people actually attended.[1] The game would be the first to be broadcast over radio, being announced on a local Pasadena station.[9]

Navy[]

During the 1923 football season, the Navy Midshipmen outscored their opponents 133–43. This was led by quarterback Ira McKee, who threw several touchdown passes during the course of the season. Navy's other offensive strong point was running back Carl Cullen, who ran for several hundred yards during the course of the season.[5][10] The Navy defense was considered to be weak by football critics, with an average weight ten pounds less than that of Washington. The Midshipmen's defense had successfully stopped running plays during the regular season, but had issues with stopping pass plays.[5][10] Navy's special teams were considered by critics to be decent, about even with that of Washington.[5]

Washington[]

The Washington Huskies had outscored their opponents 203–37 during the regular season, not including the games against the USS New York and USS Mississippi. Huskies running backs George Wilson and Elmer Tesreau had led the Huskies offense during the season, each gaining several hundred rushing yards. However, Tesreau was suffering from boils on one of his knees, and was urged by his coaches to not play in the Rose Bowl.[1][5] The Washington defense was considered superior to that of Navy, being much larger in size. Washington's defense had been very effective during the regular season, holding five teams scoreless, and only once allowing ten or more points to be scored on them. Washington's special teams were considered to be average, about even to that of Navy.[5]

Game summary[]

File:Samuel S Robison.jpg

Navy Admiral Samuel Shelburne Robison was in attendance for the game

The kickoff for the Rose Bowl was originally planned to be at 2 p.m. on January 1, 1924, but a meeting the night before the game held by the Rose Bowl organization moved the kickoff time to 2:16 p.m. the same day.[11] The opening ceremonies for the game were the most elaborate at that time, with numerous events displayed. Navy admiral Samuel Shelburne Robison received an admiral's salute from Navy's band when he took his seat.[11] The National Anthem was performed by the navy band and the color guard of the marines, followed by the marine color guard hoisting the U.S. flag over the field. In addition, both of the teams mascots were walked around the field before the kickoff.[11] The Tournament of Roses predicted that tickets would be sold out by the day of the game. However, only 40,000 people were in attendance.[11]

First half[]

The game began at the intended time, with a temperature of 52 °F (11 °C) and the field still wet from rain the night before. Because of the playing conditions, running plays were ineffective, which caused problems for the Washington offense. Navy instead used passing plays, which the Washington defense was unable to stop. The Midshipmen had driven down to the 22-yard line of the Huskies when the first quarter ended. The Midshipmen had controlled the first quarter, completing a perfect six of six passes, and holding the Huskies offense to under 100 yards of offense.[1][12]

On their first play of the second quarter, the Midshipmen scored a touchdown on a pass play from Ira McKee to Carl Cullen. McKee kicked the extra point for the Midshipmen. In an attempt to trick Washington, Navy attempted an onside kick the next play, but the Huskies recovered the ball. After two short running plays, Washington quarterback Fred Abel completed a 23-yard pass to running back Kinsley Dubois, bringing the Huskies inside the 25-yard line. The next play, running back George Wilson ran the ball 23 yards for a touchdown. Washington's kicker completed the extra point. After several drives from each team, the Midshipmen completed a 57-yard pass down to the Washington 8-yard line. Two plays later, Ira McKee ran the ball in from two yards out. McKee then completed the extra point. The first half ended with Navy leading by a score of 14-7, having completed all 11 passing plays.[1][12]

Second half[]

Both teams' defenses controlled the third quarter, allowing no points to be scored. Navy completed three more pass plays before having their first incompletion, coming on their fourteenth attempt. Washington's offense had little success in the third quarter, being held to only a few yards gained and turning the ball over once. In the fourth quarter, after several unsuccessful drives by each team, Navy made a major error. After being stopped on their own 26-yard line, Navy improperly lined up in a punt formation, and the center snapped the ball over the punter's head. The ball was recovered by the Huskies on the Navy ten yard line. Washington lost two yards on three plays, and faced a fourth down from the Navy 12-yard line. The Huskies stacked their offensive line, allowing their left guard, named Bryan, to become an eligible receiver. Fred Abel passed the ball to Bryan, who caught it just short of the goal line and walk in to the end zone for the touchdown. Washington's kicker then completed the extra point, tying the game[1][12]

Navy received the ball from Washington, and began to erratically throw the ball. After gaining several yards, Ira McKee threw an interception near midfield. On the first play, Fred Abel threw a long pass to George Wilson, who was tackled on the Navy 20-yard line, gaining 30 yards. Washington brought out their placekicker, named Ziel, to kick a 32-yard field goal, which would win them the game. Ziel kicked the ball about a yard shy of the right upright, giving the ball back to Navy with the game still tied. Time ran out a few plays later.; the game ended in a 14-14 tie.[1][12]

Statistical summary[]

Statistical comparison[1][13]
NAVY WASH
Total yards 362 202
Passing yards 175 65
Rushing yards 197 152
Passes completed 16 3
Passes attempted 20 8
Rushes attempted 39 35
Turnovers 3 2

The game's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award went to Washington running back Elmer Tesreau, who, although having had little effect on the result of the game, had played with boils covering one of his knees. At the end of the game, it was discovered that his other leg had been broken in two places during play.[1] Navy's Ira McKee was statistically the game's most important player, completing 16 of 20 passes for 175 yards and rushing for 85 yards. McKee also threw for one touchdown and ran for the other.[1][13]

Navy's Ira McKee threw for a perfect eleven of eleven passes during the first half, but just five for nine during the second half, including throwing two interceptions. Washington's Fred Abel attempted eight passes during the game, and completed just three of them. McKee threw for 175 yards, out-gaining Abel by 110 yards. Carl Cullen caught ten of McKee's sixteen completions, gaining 108 receiving yards and scoring one touchdown. The remaining passes were caught by assorted receivers. On Washington's side, Kinsely Dubois caught two of Fred Abel's three completions, amassing 53 receiving yards, while the guard Bryan caught the other, the 12-yard touchdown pass.[1][13]

On the ground, Navy's Carl Cullen ran for the most yards, gaining 102 throughout the course of the game. Ira McKee was Navy's other big runner, gaining 85 yards in addition to the passing. George Wilson led Washington in rushing yards, gaining 87 over the course of the game, and scoring Washington's only rushing touchdown. Kinsley Dubois came next, gaining 30 yards, followed by Fred Abel, with 20. The rest were amassed by others, including Elmer Tesreau. The game's sole field goal was missed, being attempted by Washington. Both teams completed their extra points, but Washington greatly out-gained Navy in punting, which had originally been predicted to be about even.[1][13]

References[]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Staff. "1924: Washington, 14 vs. Naval Academy, 14". Game Results/Recaps. Pasadena Tournament of Roses. http://www.tournamentofroses.com/TheRoseBowlGame/History/GamesResultsRecaps/DAGameResultsRecaps/tabid/2108/Article/135925/1924-washington-14-vs-naval-academy-14.aspx. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Staff. "The Granddaddy Of Them All". Historical Overview. Pasadena Tournament of Roses. http://www.tournamentofroses.com/TheRoseBowlGame/History/HistoricalOverview.aspx. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  3. Staff. "167 Facts About the Rose Bowl Stadium". America's Stadium. Rose Bowl. http://www.rosebowlstadium.com/RoseBowl_history_154_facts.php. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  4. Staff. "Game Results/Recaps". History. Pasadena Tournament of Roses. http://www.tournamentofroses.com/TheRoseBowlGame/History/GamesResultsRecaps.aspx. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  5. 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 "Washington in Jam with Navy". Evening Tribune: p. 10. January 1, 1924. OCLC 24948628.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Associated Press (December 1, 1923). "Washington Eleven may be Opponents of Navy New Year's". The Lewiston Daily Sun: p. 8. OCLC 9248627.
  7. "Bowl/All-Star Game Records" (PDF). 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records (National Collegiate Athletic Association): Team-by-Team Bowl Results. http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Bowls.pdf. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  8. Associated Press (December 1, 1923). "Washington Invited to Play Annapolis". Boston Daily Globe: p. 6. OCLC 9497068.
  9. Hibner, John Charles (1993). The Rose Bowl, 1902–1929. Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Company. p. XII. ISBN 0899507751.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Walsh, Davis J. (October 28, 1923). "Princeton Fights Against Big Odds". The Pittsburg Press: p. 16. OCLC 2266185.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Associated Press (January 1, 1924). "Ceremonies Planned–University of Washington and Navy to Play Rugby". The Montreal Gazette: p. 13. OCLC 44269305.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Eckersall, Walter (January 2, 1924). "Annual East-West Football Battle Ends In 14-14 Tie". The Detroit Free Press: p. 16. ISSN 1055-2758.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "East and West Stage Draw in Great Football Battle". The Evening Independent: p. 12. January 2, 1924. OCLC 2720408.
Advertisement