01/03/2026
Jan. 1, 1966 – UCLA refused to bow to the nation’s No. 1 team, out-fighting and out-scrambling Michigan State for a 14-12 upset before 100,087 in the Rose Bowl. Coach Tommy Prothro’s Bruins scored twice in the second quarter, then held off a classic late Spartan rally to claim their first Rose Bowl victory after five previous misses. For Coach Duffy Daugherty’s unbeaten Spartans — two-touchdown favorites — it was their first Pasadena loss in three tries. (Pictured below, Bob Stiles of UCLA is carried off the field after sustaining injury during a failed two-point conversion by Michigan State.)
The struggle was “won up front,” as coaches say, and wasn’t settled until the last half-minute. Michigan State twice scored in the closing seven minutes, and twice gambled for two points — failing both times. Many called it one of the greatest games in the 52-year history of the classic.
Prothro said afterward that “Michigan State is still the No. 1 team in the nation,” though the crowd that watched the Spartans fall might have disagreed. Michigan State outgained UCLA 314 yards to 212 and led every statistical category except determination — and the scoreboard, which will forever read 14-12.
UCLA defensive halfback Bob Stiles earned the Helms Award for two interceptions, strong kick returns, and a critical role on the final two-point stop.
With 31 seconds left, quarterback Steve Juday scored from the one-foot line to pull Michigan State within two. Daugherty sent in backup quarterback Jim Raye, who rolled right and pitched to fullback Bob Apisa. The 220-pound sophomore charged from the 7-yard line but was met at the 3 by Jimi Colletto, with Stiles piling in to stop him just short.
Michigan State attempted an onside kick and failed — its last chance after the furious late comeback.
