How about the Presidents of Washington and Jefferson College (Washington. PA) playing in the Rose Bowl in 1922? These guys were good.
10 facts about W&J’s first and only Rose Bowl appearance
- Small Wonder: With an enrollment of 450 students, W&J was the smallest school ever to play in the Rose Bowl.
- Against the Odds: The University of California Golden Bears were favored to beat the undefeated Presidents by 14 points.
- Dead Presidents: Sportswriter Jack James of the San Francisco Examiner famously said, “All I know about Washington and Jefferson is that they are both dead.”
- Breaking the Bank: Athletic Director Bob “Mother” Murphy mortgaged his house to make the cross-country train ride to California.
- Double Duty: Head Coach Earl “Greasy” Neale doubled as a Major League Baseball outfielder with the Cincinnati Reds.
- Staying Power: The same 11 players stayed on the field the entire game, playing both offense and defense.
- History Makers: Charles West was the first African-American quarterback to play in the Rose Bowl, while Herb Kopf was the game’s first freshman.
- Controversial Call: W&J halfback Wayne Brenkert’s 35-yard touchdown run was called back by an offside penalty.
- Ground Control: The Presidents rushed 114 yards to the Golden Bears’ 49, and held Cal to zero yards passing and two first downs.
- O Captain, My Captain: Named Most Outstanding Player, W&J’s team captain Russ Stein went on to play for the NFL and was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1991.
How about the Presidents of Washington and Jefferson College (Washington. PA) playing in the Rose Bowl in 1922? These guys were good.
10 facts about W&J’s first and only Rose Bowl appearance
- Small Wonder: With an enrollment of 450 students, W&J was the smallest school ever to play in the Rose Bowl.
- Against the Odds: The University of California Golden Bears were favored to beat the undefeated Presidents by 14 points.
- Dead Presidents: Sportswriter Jack James of the San Francisco Examiner famously said, “All I know about Washington and Jefferson is that they are both dead.”
- Breaking the Bank: Athletic Director Bob “Mother” Murphy mortgaged his house to make the cross-country train ride to California.
- Double Duty: Head Coach Earl “Greasy” Neale doubled as a Major League Baseball outfielder with the Cincinnati Reds.
- Staying Power: The same 11 players stayed on the field the entire game, playing both offense and defense.
- History Makers: Charles West was the first African-American quarterback to play in the Rose Bowl, while Herb Kopf was the game’s first freshman.
- Controversial Call: W&J halfback Wayne Brenkert’s 35-yard touchdown run was called back by an offside penalty.
- Ground Control: The Presidents rushed 114 yards to the Golden Bears’ 49, and held Cal to zero yards passing and two first downs.
- O Captain, My Captain: Named Most Outstanding Player, W&J’s team captain Russ Stein went on to play for the NFL and was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1991.
Cum on Bob. Play niceThey had no depth. Were they sanctioned by the ncaa?
