In their first year under head coach Homer Beatty, the Renegades compiled a perfect 12–0 record, won the Metropolitan Conference championship, defeated Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in the Junior Rose Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 415 to 93.
Bakersfield halfback Eugene Fitzgerald, also known as the "Burlington Flyer", received honorable mention from the Associated Press 1953 Little All-America college football team.
He averaged 13 yards per carry and was the only two-year college player to receive the honor.
The rose scent, concocted by chemist Frank Hornkohl at the request of editors and mechanical staff of the newspaper, was added to 15 pounds ink before the paper went to press.
"[4]The team played its home games at Griffith Stadium in Bakersfield, California.