7 3 0 0 0 7 | USC 0 0 0 7 7 | |
The 1939 Rose Bowl was the 25th Rose Bowl college football game, held in Pasadena, California, on January 2, 1939. It concluded the 1938 college football season and featured the USC Trojans (8–2) against the Duke Blue Devils (9–0), with USC as the pre-game favorite.
Scoreless after three quarters, Duke gained the lead with a 23-yard field goal by Tony Ruffa early in the fourth. However, backup quarterback Doyle Nave of the Trojans completed four straight passes to "Antelope" Al Krueger, who outmaneuvered Eric "The Red" Tipton and scored the winning touchdown with one minute remaining. Krueger's touchdown marked the first points scored against Duke during the season.
For his performance in the game, Krueger was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in the class of 1995.
Fourth quarter
Duke – Tony Ruffa 23-yard field goal
USC – Al Krueger, 19-yard pass from Doyle Nave (Gaspar kick)