The 1958 Rose Bowl was the 44th edition of the annual college football bowl game known as the Rose Bowl. It was played on January 1, 1958, at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. The contest matched the Ohio State Buckeyes, champions of the Big Ten Conference, against the Oregon Ducks, champions of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC). Ohio State won the game by a final score of 10–7.
Background
The Rose Bowl traditionally pitted the champion of the Big Ten Conference against the champion of the Pacific Coast Conference. The 1957 college football season concluded with Ohio State securing the Big Ten title under head coach Woody Hayes, while Oregon earned the PCC championship under head coach Len Casanova. Both teams accepted invitations to the Rose Bowl, continuing a long‑standing postseason tradition.
Teams
| Team | Conference | Head Coach | Record entering game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State Buckeyes | Big Ten | Woody Hayes | 8–1 |
| Oregon Ducks | Pacific Coast Conference | Len Casanova | 7–3 |
Game summary
Date: January 1, 1958
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
Attendance: 98,202 (estimated)
The first quarter opened with Oregon scoring a touchdown, taking an early 7–0 lead. Ohio State responded with a field goal in the second quarter, narrowing the margin to 7–3. The remainder of the game was defensive, with neither team adding points in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Ohio State scored a touchdown, securing a 10–7 victory. The decisive score came late in the game, allowing Ohio State to overcome Oregon’s early advantage.
Scoring summary
| Quarter | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Oregon | Touchdown (extra point good) – 7 points |
| 2nd | Ohio State | Field goal – 3 points |
| 4th | Ohio State | Touchdown (extra point good) – 7 points |
| Final | Ohio State | 10 |
| Oregon | 7 |
Aftermath
Ohio State’s victory marked the program’s second Rose Bowl win; the Buckeyes would later become one of the most successful teams in Rose Bowl history. The game reinforced Woody Hayes’s reputation as a prominent college football coach. For Oregon, the loss ended a season that had produced the conference’s first Rose Bowl appearance in several years.
Historical significance
The 1958 contest is noted for its close score and the defensive battle that characterized much of the game. It contributed to the growing prestige of the Rose Bowl as a showcase for top teams from the Midwest and the West Coast.
References
- Rose Bowl Game Archives, Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA.
- Ohio State University Athletic Department, “Bowl History.”
- University of Oregon Athletic Department, “Historical Bowl Appearances.”
All information presented is derived from established historical records of the 1958 Rose Bowl.