1966 Rose Bowl - Game Facts

Game Facts

• Future UCLA head coach Terry Donahue was a 195 pound defensive lineman for UCLA.
• Dallas Grider, who recovered the 2nd quarter onside kick that led to UCLA's second touchdown in the Rose Bowl, also recovered the onside kick in the UCLA - USC game that led to the Bruins' winning touchdown.
• Tommy Prothro became the first coach to take two different schools to the Rose Bowl, and he did it in successive seasons. Prothro guided Oregon State to the 1965 Rose Bowl. It was also Prothro's last Rose Bowl appearance. The AAWU conference voted 7–3 USC (a team 9–1 UCLA had beaten 14–7) in over the Bruins in 1966.
• Prothro was a quarterback for Duke University in the 1942 Rose Bowl.
• This was UCLA's first Rose Bowl win after five losses. It was Michigan State's first loss after two wins, both over UCLA.
• This game began a streak of West Coast dominance in the Rose Bowl as Pac-8/Pac-10 teams would win all but four of the next 22 Rose Bowls, often as the underdog.
• Both teams wore their home color uniforms, Michigan State in green jerseys, and UCLA in powder blue jerseys.