Heisman Trophy winner Howard “Hopalong” Cassady led OSU to the national championship in 1954. It included a Rose Bowl win Jan. 1, 1955. (Photo courtesy of the College Football Hall of Fame)

Woody Hayes capped his first national championship run with a workmanlike victory in a rain-soaked Rose Bowl pounding of USC.

The OSU defense was outstanding as the only USC score came on an 86-yard punt return by Armais Dandoy in the second period.

Future Heisman Trophy winner Howard “Hopalong” Cassady ran for 92 yards and Buckeye quarterback Dave Leggett passed for 63 and ran for 67. Leggett was voted the game’s MVP after completing 6-of-11 aerials, including a TD pass.

The Buckeyes completed a perfect 10-0 season, but were not consensus national champions as UCLA captured the UPI title. The Bruins were unable to play in the Rose Bowl because of the no-repeat rule in effect at the time. UCLA had played in the 1954 Rose Bowl.