1978 Rose Bowl
Encyclopedia
The 1978 Rose Bowl was a college football
bowl game
played on January 2, 1978. It was the 64th Rose Bowl Game
. The Washington Huskies
, champions of the Pacific-8 Conference, defeated the Michigan Wolverines
, champions of the Big Ten Conference
, 27–20. Washington quarterback
Warren Moon
was named the Rose Bowl Player of the Game.
gave the Wolverines the Big Ten title and they came into the Rose Bowl ranked #4.
. The Huskies earned the Rose Bowl berth when UCLA lost its final game on a last second field goal to USC, 29–27.
beating #1 Texas
early on New Year's Day, Michigan had hopes that a dominant win over Washington would boost the Wolverines to the top ranking in the country. The Huskies' dramatic upset ended those hopes, and Notre Dame was voted #1 among five one-loss teams; Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, and Penn State were the others.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
played on January 2, 1978. It was the 64th Rose Bowl Game
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
. The Washington Huskies
1977 Washington Huskies football team
The 1977 Washington Huskies football team represented the University of Washington in the 1977 college football season.-Schedule:*Games subsequently forfeited to Washington.-Team Players in the NFL:...
, champions of the Pacific-8 Conference, defeated the Michigan Wolverines
1977 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1977 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1977 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
, champions of the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
, 27–20. Washington quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Warren Moon
Warren Moon
Harold Warren Moon is a former American professional gridiron football quarterback who played for the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos and the National Football League's Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs...
was named the Rose Bowl Player of the Game.
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan began the season ranked #2, and rose to #1 after four games. However, a stunning 16–0 loss at Minnesota dropped them to #6. A 14–6 win over #4 Ohio State1977 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1977 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1977-1978. The Buckeyes compiled a 9–3 record, including the 1978 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they lost 35–6 to the Alabama Crimson Tide.-Schedule:-1978 NFL...
gave the Wolverines the Big Ten title and they came into the Rose Bowl ranked #4.
Washington Huskies
Washington stumbled out of the gate, losing three of their first four games. They then won the rest of their games except for a 20–12 loss at UCLAUCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
. The Huskies earned the Rose Bowl berth when UCLA lost its final game on a last second field goal to USC, 29–27.
Second quarter
- Washington - Steve Robbins, 30-yard field goal
- Washington - Warren Moon, 1-yard run (Steve Robbins kick)
Third quarter
- Washington - Spider Gaines, 28-yard pass from Warren Moon (Steve Robbins kick)
- Michigan - Curt Stephenson, 76 yard pass from Rick Leach (Gregg Willner kick)
- Washington - Steve Robbins, 18-yard field goal
Fourth quarter
- Michigan - Russell DavisRussell Davis (running back)Russell Davis, III is a former professional American football fullback who was drafted by and played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He had starred for the Michigan Wolverines football team in college...
, 2-yard run (Gregg Willner kick) - Michigan - Stan EdwardsStan EdwardsStanley Edwards is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He played six total seasons in the league, five for the Houston Oilers and one for his hometown Detroit Lions...
, 32-yard pass from Rick Leach (kick failed)
Aftermath
With Notre Dame1977 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
The 1977 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1977 college football season. The Irish, coached by Dan Devine, ended the season with 11 wins and one loss, winning the national championship...
beating #1 Texas
1977 Texas Longhorns football team
The 1977 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1977 college football season.-Regular season:The Longhorns finished the regular season with a 11-0-0 record. As a collegiate football player at the University of Texas at Austin, Earl Campbell won the...
early on New Year's Day, Michigan had hopes that a dominant win over Washington would boost the Wolverines to the top ranking in the country. The Huskies' dramatic upset ended those hopes, and Notre Dame was voted #1 among five one-loss teams; Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, and Penn State were the others.