College football game
The 1939 Rose Bowl was the 25th edition of the college football bowl game , played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California , on Monday, January 2 and concluded the 1938 college football season .
The seventh-ranked USC Trojans of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) downed the undefeated #3 Duke Blue Devils of the Southern Conference , 7–3.[ 3] [ 4] [ 5] [ 6]
Scoreless after three quarters, Duke gained the lead with a 23-yard field goal by Tony Ruffa early in the fourth. However, backup quarterback Doyle Nave of the Trojans completed four straight passes to sophomore end "Antelope" Al Krueger , who outmaneuvered Eric "The Red" Tipton and scored the winning touchdown with one minute remaining. Krueger's touchdown marked the first points scored against Duke during the season.[ 4] [ 5]
Ticket for the 1939 Rose Bowl game, as seen in Rose Bowl Museum
For his performance in the game, Krueger was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in the class of 1995.[ 7]
Scoring
First quarter
No scoring
Second quarter
No scoring
Third quarter
No scoring
Fourth quarter
Duke – Tony Ruffa 23-yard field goal
USC – Al Krueger , 19-yard pass from Doyle Nave (Phil Gaspar kick)
Statistics
Team Stats
USC
Duke
First downs
13
5
Rushing yards
128
84
Passing (att–com–int)
30–12–3
13–4–2
Passing yards
81
59
Total offense
209
143
Notes
A crowd of over 90,000 assembled to watch the game.
References
^ McLemore, Henry (January 2, 1939). "Trojans held big favorites to win over Blue Devils" . Pittsburgh Press . United Press. p. 1, sports.
^ "U.S.C. favored in Rose battle" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. January 2, 1939. p. 12.
^ a b McLemore, Henry (January 3, 1939). "USC's story-book finish beats Duke" . Pittsburgh Press . United Press. p. 22.
^ a b Zimmerman, Paul (January 3, 1939). "Trojans stain Duke's record in final minute, 7 to 3" . Miami News . Associated Press. p. 2B.
^ a b "Southern California snags win in closing minutes" . Spokesman-Review . Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. January 3, 1939. p. 1.
^ "Trojans favored over Duke in Rose Bowl game today" . Miami News . INS. January 2, 1939. p. 2B.
^ 2009 Kickoff Luncheon and Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Induction program
^ 2013 Rose Bowl Game Historical Media Guide, Tournament of Roses Association, December 2012
History & conference tie-ins Games
Pound sign (#) denotes national championship game.