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The 1962 Rose Bowl game, played on January 1, 1962 was the 48th Rose Bowl game. The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated the UCLA Bruins 21-3. Minnesota quarterback Sandy Stephens was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game.^[1] It was broadcast on the NBC television network and was the first national color television broadcast of a college football game.^[2]

Teams

University of Minnesota Gophers

The Gophers had come to the Rose Bowl the previous year as the #1 team in the nation and lost to the Washington Huskies. In 1961, the Gophers actually finished in second place in Big Ten-conference play. Minnesota had a loss to Missouri, and a Big Ten loss to Wisconsin in the final regular season game. Ohio State was the Big Ten Champion. However, because of a faculty council dispute to emphasize academics over athletics, The Ohio State University turned down the Rose Bowl Berth.^[3] Minnesota did not have the Buckeyes on their schedule that season. The Gophers were led by Sandy Stephens, the first African American All-American quarterback.

UCLA Bruins

UCLA had lost at both Michigan and Ohio State earlier in the season. They also lost to Washington. They managed to beat USC during one of the few rainy UCLA-USC rivalry games.

Game summary

The weather was sunny. Minnesota wore their home maroon jerseys, with white helmets and white pants. UCLA also wore their home powderkeg blue uniforms with gold pants. Using the single wing offense, UCLA struggled against the Gophers, netting only one field goal. Minnesota would get 21 first downs to UCLA's 8. The Gophers would hold the Bruins to 107 total yards, while going 297 yards on 66 plays. Stephens would rush for 46 yards on 12 carries, including two rushing touchdowns. Stephens also went 7 for 11 in passing for 75 yards.

Scoring

First quarter

• UCLA — Bobby Smith kicks 28-yard field goal. UCLA 3-0
• Minnesota — Sandy Stephens dives over from one-yard line. Tom Loechler converts. MINN 7-3

Second quarter

• Minnesota — Bill Munsey goes over from three-yard line. Loechler converts. MINN 14-3

Third quarter

• No score

Fourth quarter

• Minnesota — Stephens runs over from two-yard line. Loechler converts. MINN 21-3

Aftermath

This was Minnesota's only Rose Bowl win. It was also the last appearance for Minnesota in the Rose Bowl game. As of the as of 2009 season, Minnesota has gone the longest in the Big Ten conference without playing in the Rose Bowl game again. Sandy Stephens was named the Most Valuable player, and became the first African American to get the award.

Game facts

All-American defensive tackle Bobby Bell played in both the 1961 and 1962 Rose Bowl games for the Gophers. He would later win two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs.

References

Bibliography

External links

• Summary at Rosebowlhistory.org
• Game Summary