The 1964 Rose Bowl was the 50th edition of the annual college football bowl game played on January 1, 1964, at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. It concluded the 1963 NCAA University Division football season.
Teams
- University of Southern California Trojans (Pacific-8 Conference) – coached by John R. McKay; entered the game with a 9–1 record and was ranked No. 4 in the final AP poll.
- University of Wisconsin Badgers (Big Ten Conference) – coached by Milt Bruhn; entered the game with an 8–1 record and was ranked No. 6 in the final AP poll.
Game summary
- Final score: USC 28, Wisconsin 7.
- Scoring by quarter:
- 1st quarter – USC 7, Wisconsin 0
- 2nd quarter – USC 0, Wisconsin 0
- 3rd quarter – USC 7, Wisconsin 0
- 4th quarter – USC 14, Wisconsin 0
- Key performances: USC quarterback Pete Beathard threw two touchdown passes and rushed for a third; he was named the Rose Bowl Player of the Game. Wisconsin’s lone score came on a 4‑yard touchdown run by halfback Jim Perry.
- Attendance: Approximately 98,000 spectators.
- Broadcast: The game was televised nationally on NBC.
Significance
The victory gave USC its second Rose Bowl win under Coach John McKay and reinforced the Pacific‑8’s dominance in the Rose Bowl during the early 1960s. For Wisconsin, the loss marked its first Rose Bowl appearance since the 1949 game.
Aftermath
Both teams finished the season ranked in the final AP Top 10. USC rose to No. 3, while Wisconsin fell to No. 9. The performance of Pete Beathard contributed to his selection in the first round of the 1965 NFL Draft.
References
- Rose Bowl Game Archives, Rose Bowl Stadium.
- “1964 Rose Bowl Game Summary,” Sports Reference LLC, College Football.
- Associated Press, “USC Beats Wisconsin 28‑7 in Rose Bowl,” January 2, 1964.
