1980 Rose Bowl Program

The USC, champions of the Pacific-10 Conference, defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes, champions of the Big Ten Conference, 17–16. USC’s Heisman Trophy running back Charles White was named the Rose Bowl Player of the Game (for a second time, having shared the previous game’s award with Rick Leach), rushing for a record 247 yards, including the game-winning touchdown with little more than a minute remaining in the contest.

Ohio State went into the game with an 11-0 record, and was one of two undefeated and untied teams in the nation, along with Alabama. Had the Buckeyes won the game, they would have likely won at least a share of the national championship; they were ranked #1 in the AP Poll at kickoff.

USC, having suffered a shocking 21–21 tie with Stanford (in a game in which they led 21–0) that cost them the #1 ranking, finished ranked #2 in both polls behind Alabama.

The game received a 28.6 Nielsen Rating, making it one of the highest-rated college football games of all time.

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Related Links

– 1980 Rose Bowl Telecast