The third-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big Ten Conference defeated the #10 Oregon State Beavers of the Pacific Coast Conference by a score of 35–19,[3][4][5][6] in a rematch of a regular season contest in early October at Iowa City, where the home team rallied to win, 14–13.

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.

Ploen completed nine of ten passes and rushed for 59 yards, including a 49-yard run for Iowa's first score.

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.