103rd Anniversary of Walter “Dutch” Eells Playing in 1921 Rose Bowl

On January 1, 1921, 103 years ago today, 2009 Hall of Fame inductee, Walter “Dutch” Eells was in Pasadena as a member of the 1920 University of California football team, to play the Ohio State Buckeyes in front of 42,000 fans in the Rose Bowl.

The Golden Bears defeated Ohio State by a score of 28-0. The Bears outperformed the Buckeyes in almost every category, the Buckeyes lost 4 fumbles to 1 for Cal and had 4 passes intercepted with Cal having only one intercepted.

Cal finished the season undefeated after handing Ohio State its first loss of the season. The Bears, who outscored their opponents 510–14 for the season, earning the moniker “Wonder Team.” They remained undefeated from 1920 until October 10, 1925. The Bears did have 4 tie games in between.

Written and Researched by Norm Machado