Tournament of Roses - Rose Bowl Game

1939 and 1940 Rose Bowl Games
1995 Inductee

Al Krueger had a knack for catching touchdown passes in the Rose Bowl Game. His first touchdown is remembered to this day as one of the greatest moments in USC and Rose Bowl Game history.

Krueger caught four straight passes from fellow Rose Bowl Hall of Fame inductee Doyle Nave with less than two minutes remaining to beat previously unbeaten and untied Duke in the 1939 Rose Bowl Game. The dramatic 19-yard touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone represented the first points scored against the punishing Blue Devils’ defense all year and gave the Trojans a 7–3 victory. Krueger and Nave were named co-Players of the Game.

The next year, Krueger’s touchdown grab helped USC ruin Tennessee’s perfect season with a 14–0 victory. The win made USC the first school to win back-to-back Rose Bowl Games on two separate occasions.

Krueger went on to play professionally for the Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Dons. He died in 1999.