Rose Bowl Hall of Fame
1953 Rose Bowl Game
2004 Inductee
Alan Ameche, who would go on to win the 1954 Heisman Trophy, ran for 133 yards on 28 carries for Wisconsin in the 1953 Rose Bowl Game against USC. He broke loose for a 54-yard run in the third quarter, looking to break the 0–0 tie. However, Badgers back Archie Ray Burks fumbled two plays later, and the Trojans recovered. USC scored the game’s only touchdown on the ensuing drive and won 7–0.
Ameche went on to play six seasons in the NFL, all with the Baltimore Colts. He was the league rookie of the year in 1955 and earned four Pro Bowl selections.
Ameche, who was known as “The Iron Horse,” rushed for a then-NCAA-record 3,212 yards in his career at Wisconsin. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame and the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. His number 35 is one of six honored numbers at the University of Wisconsin. Ameche passed away in 1988.
