This was the first trip to Pasadena for both teams: it was Iowa's first bowl appearance and Oregon State's second. The Beavers won the Rose Bowl fifteen years earlier in January 1942, which was moved to Durham, North Carolina.
Game summary
Ploen completed nine of ten passes and rushed for 59 yards, including a 49-yard run for Iowa's first score. Collins Hagler scored twice for the Hawkeyes, the second on a 66-yard run. For Oregon State, Joe Francis ran for 73 yards and was ten of twelve passing for 73 yards and a touchdown. The Beavers were hurt by three fumbles, two in the first seven minutes, and both led to Iowa touchdowns.[8] The Hawkeyes led 21–6 at halftime and were up by 23 points early in the fourth quarter. OSC closed the margin to sixteen points with under ten minutes remaining, but that was the last of the scoring and Iowa won 35–19.
Scoring
First quarter
Iowa – Ken Ploen 49-yard run (Bob Prescott kick), 10:44 remaining, (Iowa 7–0)