Woody Hayes came into his first Rose Bowl tied for the National Championship with PCC champion UCLA. However, #2 UCLA was locked out of the game because of the "no-repeat" rule.[2]
The quarterback for Ohio State was Dave Leggett. Mr. Leggett threw eleven passes, completing six, one a touchdown pass to Bob Watkins.[1]Hopalong Cassady ran for 92 yards and led the Bucks to 304 yards on the ground and an overall advantage of 360-206 yards in total offense.
University of Southern California[]
The only touchdown by USC was an 86-yard punt return by Aramis Dandoy.
Game Summary[]
The teams played in the first rainstorm to hit Pasadena in more than 50 years.[3]
Scoring[]
Second Quarter[]
OSU – Dave Leggatt 3-yard run (Weed kick good)
OSU – Bob Watkins 21-yard pass from Leggett (Watkins kick good)
USC – Aramis Dandoy 86-yard punt return (Tsagalakis kick good)
Fourth Quarter[]
OSU – Dick Harkrader 9-yard run (Weed kick blocked)
Aftermath[]
Ohio State won a shared National Championship for the 1954 season. It was the first "split" championship in college football, when the writers selected the Buckeyes and the coaches chose the Bruins.
↑Boyles, Bob; Paul Guido (2007). 50 Years of College Football: A Modern History of America's Most Colorful Sport. Skyhorse Publishing Inc. p. 58. ISBN1-60239-090-8.
↑2011 Rose Bowl Historic Media Guide, Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, December 2011