1944 Rose Bowl

The 1944 Rose Bowl, played on January 1, 1944, was a unique contest in the game's history. Due to the travel restrictions imposed by World War II, it featured two teams from the same conference—a historical anomaly only repeated many years later. The game pitted the USC Trojans against the Washington Huskies, both members of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC).

The Washington Huskies entered the game with a 4-0 record, but their season was abbreviated, and they hadn't faced any other PCC teams. Their roster was also significantly depleted, as many players had been called to military service. USC, on the other hand, came in with a 7-2 record and had played a more robust schedule. Despite this, Washington was favored to win.

The game itself was a surprise, with USC dominating Washington in a 29-0 shutout. USC's offense was powered by backup quarterback Jim Hardy, who came off the bench to throw three touchdown passes. Hardy connected with George Callanan for two of those scores, while Gordon Gray caught the third. USC's offensive line also played a crucial role, effectively neutralizing Washington's defense.

This Rose Bowl was notable for a few reasons: it was the first time two teams from the same conference had faced each other in the game, a direct consequence of the war's impact on travel and team rosters. The game was also broadcast abroad to American servicemen, with General Dwight D. Eisenhower ensuring that troops not on the front lines could listen in. This broadcast underscored the game's importance as a morale booster during a difficult time.

In the end, the 1944 Rose Bowl saw USC claim victory in a decisive fashion, marking their seventh Rose Bowl win and securing them the PCC championship.