The Rose Bowl

Notre Dame 27, Stanford 10

January 1, 1925
Attendance: 53,000

One of the most classic Rose Bowl matchups occurred in 1925 when Stanford coach Pop Warner and star player Ernie Nevers went up against Knute Rockne and "The Four Horsemen" of Notre Dame.

When it was over, the Fighting Irish had a 27-10 victory, a 10-0 season and a national championship, while the Cardinals finished 7-1-1. Turnovers proved to be Stanford's undoing in the game as three Irish TD's were scored on Stanford turnovers.

Nevers, Stanford's All-American two-way star, turned in one of the greatest performances in the school's history. Not only did he play all 60 minutes in the game, but he rushed for 114 yards, more yardage than all the Four Horsemen combined, despite having his ankles bandaged so tightly that the circulation was almost completely shut off. Both ankle bones had been broken earlier in the season and the casts had been taken off just 10 days before the Rose Bowl. Nevers could barely walk.

Elmer Layden was the star Horseman on this day. He scored three touchdowns for Notre Dame, one on a three-yard run in the second quarter to give Notre Dame a 6-3 lead and two on interception returns. His 76-yard TD return in the second quarter moved the Irish to a 13-3 lead, and his 70-yard touchdown return in the fourth quarter provided Notre Dame with its final score.

Murray Cuddeback kicked a 17-yard field goal in the first quarter to give Stanford an early 3-0 lead. Notre Dame then scored 20 unanswered points before the Cardinals managed to score and cut the lead to 20-10.

Ed Walker's seven-yard pass to Ted Shipkey was good for a touchdown late in the third quarter, giving the Cardinals some hope. But Notre DameOs defense closed the door on the Cardinals' offense the rest of the way.

Game Statistics

Score by Quarters   1   2   3   4   Total
Notre Dame          0  13   7   7    27
Stanford            3   0   7   0    10
Scoring Summary                                         Quarter  Time    N-S
S - Cuddeback 27-yard field goal                            1    8:00    0- 3
N - Layden three-yard run (kick failed)                     2   13:30    6- 3
N - Layden 78-yard interception return (Crowley kick)       2    8:00   13- 3
N - Hunsinger 20-yard fumble return (Crowley kick)          3    5:00   20- 3
S - Shipkey seven-yard pass from Walker (Cuddeback kick)    3    1:00   20-10
N - Layden 70-yard interception return (Crowley kick)       4     :30   27-10
Team Statistics     Notre Dame    Stanford
First Downs             7            17
Rushing Yards          130          178
Passing Yards           56          138
Passes                7-3-3       17-12-5
Total Offense          186          316
Punt Average            48.5         42.5
Fumbles Lost            1             3
Penalties - Yards      4-30         1-15