1922 San Diego East-West Christmas Classic

The 1922 San Diego East-West Christmas Classic was a college football postseason bowl game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and Gonzaga Bulldogs.[1][2][3][4]

1922 San Diego East-West Christmas Classic
West Virginia Mountaineers Gonzaga Bulldogs
(9–0–1) (5–2)
21 13
Head coach: 
Clarence Spears		 Head coach: 
Gus Dorais
1234 Total
West Virginia 7770 21
Gonzaga 00013 13
DateDecember 25, 1922
Season1922
StadiumBalboa Stadium
LocationSan Diego, California
FavoriteWest Virginia
RefereeWalter Eckersall
Attendance15,000

Background

This was the first bowl appearance for both teams and West Virginia was attempting to secure their first ten-win season. From Spokane, the Bulldogs were on a four-game winning streak, all played in the state of Washington.

Game summary

West Virginia took a lead on Nick Nardacci's twelve-yard touchdown run, the only score in the first quarter. Russ Meredith returned an interception eighty yards to extend the lead to 14–0 at halftime. Jack Simons caught a touchdown pass from Nardacci in the third to make it 21–0. The Bulldogs narrowed the gap on two touchdowns from Matt Bross (one reception and one run), but that ended the scoring at 21–13, as the Mountaineers held on to win their first bowl game and gained a ten-win season.[2][3]

Aftermath

It is widely criticized that West Virginia was not invited to the Rose Bowl, but the team did receive a share of the national championship; their next bowl appearance was fifteen years later, at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. This was Gonzaga's only bowl game,[4] as its football program was discontinued after the 1941 season.

References
  1. Varnell, George (December 23, 1922). "Bulldogs have chance to put Gonzaga on the football map Christmas Day". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 12.
  2. "Bulldogs stir throng in brilliant finish". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). December 26, 1922. p. 18.
  3. "East subdues West on grid". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). December 26, 1922. p. 11.
  4. Blanchette, John (December 24, 1982). "Where did this ridiculous bowl hype start? Gonzaga?". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 13.


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