Rose Bowl Hall of Fame
1930 Rose Bowl Game
1994 Inductee
“Racehorse Russ” Saunders was the Player of the Game of the 1930 Rose Bowl Game, USC’s 47–14 victory over Pittsburgh. He ran for 67 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries and completed 5 of 8 passes for 163 yards, including touchdowns on his first three passes. He also saved a touchdown on Pitt’s opening play by running down Toby Danson after he had run 67 yards.
Saunders’ other claim to fame continues to live on in the sights and minds of USC students and alumni: He was one of the models for the revered “Tommy Trojan” statue on campus. Upon graduation from USC, Saunders played one season with the Green Bay Packers, who won the 1931 NFL title. Saunders later became an assistant director and production manager at Warner Bros. He died in 1987.
