Rose Bowl trophy

In Northwestern University's only college football bowl game victory ever, the Wildcats pulled a stunner, beating California 20-14 in front of approximately 92,000 in Pasadena on Jan. 1, 1949. NU had finished second in the Big Ten behind Michigan, but according to the no-repeat rule (which has since been rescinded), the Wolverines were not eligible to play in the Rose Bowl.

Down 14-13 late in the fourth quarter, Northwestern marched 88 yards and scored on a trick play when halfback Ed Tunnicliff took a direct snap from center and ran 43 yards to score.

"Tunnicliff's run was almost a perfect play," Bob Voigts, NU’s coach, told the Tribune at the time.

July 13, 2011