1960: Washington, 44 vs. Wisconsin, 8

Every thing and every one favored Wisconsin before this game.

Consider: Wisconsin was a touchdown favorite, was playing a team with no seniors in the starting lineup, boasted a defense that entered the game with a defensive average of barely 10 points allowed per game and was representing the Big Ten, a conference that had lost just one other time to a West Coast team in the 18 previous Rose Bowl Games between the two conferences.

But the Badger Faithful that came to Pasadena was still sent home a loser, and in a big way as the Huskies scored more Rose Bowl Game points than any other West Coast team in history. “All we had to do was play a little sound football,” Wisconsin coach Milt Bruhn said afterward. “But Washington wouldn’t let us.”

Vice President of the United States Richard Nixon watched as Washington piled it on. He was the grand marshal of the Rose Parade earlier in the day and later was asked who he was rooting for. “Well, as the President of the United States I’m completely impartial. Between you and me, as a Californian, I’m delighted to the see the West do so gosh-darn well,” he said.

Washington was in “go-for-it” mode all day, attempting fourth-down plays in the first as well as the fourth quarter. On the Huskies’ second drive of the game, with the score still tied at zero, Washington quarterback Bob Schloredt audibled twice on fourth down, leading to halfback Don McKeta’s 6-yard touchdown run.

They would add to that soon after as Washington recovered the first of four Wisconsin fumbles with Husky halfback George Fleming kicking a 36-yard field goal for the 10-0 lead.

Washington scored once more on Fleming’s 53-yard scoring punt return to make it 17-0 before Wisconsin would get their first first down, although they had 13 total on the day to Washington’s 16.

Wisconsin scored its only touchdown on a 4-yard run by Tom Weisner and the Badgers’ added a two-point conversion when quarterback Dale Hackbart hit Allan Schoonover to make it 17-8.

Schloredt, who rushed 21 times for 81 yards and passed for 102 more, scored on a keeper late in the game to make it 38-8 as he and Fleming were named co-Most Valuable Players.

“Their line’s been beating us to the punch all afternoon,” said Bruhn. “We just aren’t charging back.”

The reserves got into the action later with the blowout secure as backup quarterback Bob Hivner hit Don Millich for a short 3-yard TD pass.

According to columnist Rube Samuelsen’s “Rube Barbs” column in the Pasadena Star-News, it was another tough day for Wisconsin: “It’s a shame it had to happen to the Badgers. Wisconsin’s party was one of the most popular to come to Pasadena. Back in 1953, the Madison eleven lost to USC, 7-0, to represent the only Big Ten setback since the current Rose Bowl Game pact was signed. Supporters of other Big Ten schools have never permitted Wisconsin loyalists to forget it. And now… well, as Governor Gaylord Nelson put it prior to the kickoff, ‘If Wisconsin doesn’t win, I won’t be governor tomorrow.’”

Attendance
97,314

Weather
53 degrees

Team Scoring
First Quarter
Wash – McKeta, 6-yard run (Fleming kick), 9:19
Wash – Fleming, 36-yard FG, 13:08
Wash – Fleming, 53-yard punt return (Fleming kick), 15:00

Second Quarter
Wis – Weisner, 4-yard run (Schoonover pass from Hackbart), 9:33
Wash – Folkins, 23-yard pass from Schloredt (Fleming kick), 13:53

Third Quarter
Wash – Jackson, 2-yard run (Fleming kick), 4:06

Fourth Quarter
Wash – Schloredt, 3-yard run (Fleming kick), 4:29
Wash – Millich, 3-yard pass from Hivner (pass failed), 9:23

Coaches
Washington: Jim Owens
Wisconsin: Milt Bruhn

Fun Fact
Future President of the United States Richard Nixon served as Tournament Grand Marshal.

Individual Stats
Rushing
Wis: Hobbs 7-32
Wash: Schloredt 21-81, Jackson 12-61

Passing
Wis: Hackbart 11-25-0-145
Wash: Schloredt 4-7-0-102.

Receiving
Wis: Schoonover 3-57
Wash: Fleming 1-65.