Ron Vander Kelen RIP

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VANDERKELENThere are few opposing players associated with USC as much as Wisconsin quarterback Ron Vander Kelen. I’ve written many times about the 1963 Rose Bowl, where No. 1-ranked USC held off No. 2-ranked Wisconsin, 42-37, to win the national championship.

Vander Kelen led a furious 23-point fourth quarter rally after Wisconsin fell behind, 42-14. He completed 33 of 48 passes for 401 yards and two touchdowns. Some say the game, which was televised nationally, transformed the image of college football.

Vander Kelen died Sunday of natural causes. He was 76. Many stars from that game (USC wide receiver Hal Bedsole, running back Willie Brown and Wisconsin end Pat Richter are) remain icons to USC and Wisconsin fans. The USC fans of that era never forgot Vander Kelen’s performance. He was named co-MVP of the Rose Bowl with USC QB Pete Beathard.

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66 thoughts on “Ron Vander Kelen RIP”

  1. Future California Angel Rick Reichardt was starting fullback for the Badgers that season lining up behind Vander Kelen back in the era of two or even three sport athletes.

  2. Saw that RB game at a home full of bozo’s. I’ll never forget how Van Kellan made that mob of drunken, sweaty, loudmouth, arrogant bozos get on their knees and pray like cringing holy rollers seeking salvation.

    • Thanks for the memories, UCLA. That was a fun night.
      #ButIDon’tRememberTheSweatyPart

      • I forgot to mention there was much tearing of clothes and hair pulling in the bozo crowd whenever VDK completed another pass.

          • I spent the 4th quarter L’gOL at bozo u mob invective heaped on Mckay’s coaching abilities.

          • Sammy, you don’t know what you’re talking about. bozo u lucked out because Wisconsin ran out of time.

          • That’s what I love about bozo u fans Mikey.

            You want to shower yourself with credit for a FB victory achieved only because time ran out.

            The total collapse of the bozo u FB that day was epic, similar to the destruction of Troy by the Greek. The bozos just bent over as it were.

          • Can I let you in on a little secret, UCLA? This wasn’t the first time the One Hour Clock Rule was enforced. It’s happened before and since….
            #Like100%OfTheTime

          • Mikey, I recall Fat John had a 20 + point lead in the 4th quarter at the crumbling mausoleum.

            Cade McNown tied the game with in the last minute.

            Three O/T’s later bozo u is a loser.

            If only time had run out on UCLA, you could claim victory.

          • You can’t win a game kicking a FG .. Only 3 pts.. Lol 42-37 or 42-40.. USC won, its in the books like your 54 1/2 Im sorry NC grab.. #burp #homeoftheNCs11times

          • And miss you getting hammered by the troops … Lol ..I will stay and watch, you are the best bruin punching bag. #yougotsnogame

          • Nice, Sam. The thing Trojans understand (and UCLA just can’t get) is that it’s always better to score as much as you can in the first 60 minutes of a football game.
            #It’sBetterThanComplainingAfterGettingBeat
            #50ToZip

          • Right Mikey, score big and hold on: like the Boston Massacre or the Tixas / bozo u NC game.

        • Could someone be venturing into a fairly heavily Freudian fantasy at this point, UCLA……?

          • I’m just reporting what I heard. You know the bozos, if the score isn’t 88 – 0 bozo u, the sky is falling.

            bozos fear competition.

    • Dude… You’re old enough to remember that game? I’m shocked that you’re not some young punk sh*thead. I guess 2 out of 3 ain’t bad. OMG

          • In the Second half bozu u was nothing but a spent punching bag.

            The only team fighting was Wisconsin; bozo u had zero game, zero Off and Def., earned zero respect, and displayed zero class.

          • I see 55, so It’s your contention McKay deliberately had the team take the 2nd Half off in the spirit of good sportsmanship?

          • I was not there so could not tell.. Possible ..just like Helton .. When he beat you 40-21.. #whatsyourdeal

          • It was good that Helton showed mercy on the little gutties during 40-21. Taking a knee and foregoing another easy, bonus score is admirable – though not nearly as exciting and laughable as cutting little gutty hearts straight out with a late bomb to make it 50-0. Either way, the little gutties went down limp.

          • Lol.. Then they chirp like 16 little girls at a sleepover, while the big brother was grounded for 3 years for getting home late.. Oh we beat USC ..while we had roster issues and on sanctions..lol lets talk of the 13 of 17 loses.. Run like roaches in a raid fire.

          • I heard WI players, when asked how come they played so well in the 2nd half, said “We started blocking dirty like SC.”

      • Clay, you were wrong, he is an old punk with no brains and no head. Freddie Blasé used to call these dudes PENCIL NECK GEEKS.

    • Squatter, and where were Thug U’s football team that day? They were on their knees praying that they could ever go to the Rose Bowl on January 1, which once in a great while they go. When was the last time they went? Oh, that’s right, it was LAST CENTURY. I think in 1993. 23 years and still counting since you have last been.
      May he RIP.

  3. The man had a legendary game in the 1963 Rose Bowl against USC still losing 42-37.. Drafted in the 21st round by the Chicago Bears, his career was cut short..RIP # RVK

  4. 63 Rose Bowl was an amazing game and the one that made me a USC fan. Willie Brown was that year’s version of Adoree Jackson and both teams were heroic.

    24 Rose Bowl wins for USC and none more memorable than McKay’s first, the one that put him on the map and USC back in business, starting the great McKay run that many of us know as the defining footprint of USC dominance.

    • My father who is now 85 and a grad from USC talked about many great games of the past, he spoke many times of how the 1963 RB game was one of the best games he attended, My brother who recently passed was 5 at the time, that was his first RB game .. I was born the summer of 1963, first ever game was at 7.. A 46 year love affair with my boys in Cardinal n Gold.. Having transfered and graduating from USC has opened many doors.. Best UNI on the planet. USC MBS 1986

    • Good good football.. Remember following the game on a Zenith transistor radio as we tossed a football in the drive way.
      Then going in at half time to watch it in black and white in my room. Rabbit ears and all.

  5. I don’t even want to go at the guy because I have a genuine sadness for him. Leaving him alone with himself is the greatest punishment you can deal him. Unbelievable.

    • He is a sad soul, confused beyond more of a stalker..He thinks along with 25 other personalities, that Im do dude from Vegas and Cal Poly, lol I should ignore him, but its funning how he continues to go at me and you guys.. Well I just figure he is harmless, just wanting attention.. Oh well..

      • I wish it was that simple. I think we have a genuine sociopath in our midst. Just leave him alone like everyone else in his life probably has by now. I’m not even trying to take a shot at him by saying that.

    • How is it Im a loser and you at what 50-60 work at Burger World. Splain professor El fago..

      • 55 leaps 3 feet out of the scum pond to hit the bait. Somethings don’t change.

        So 55, tell the story about the time the chick kicked your booty for slapping her kitten.

  7. And no doubt she wears the pants in the family.

    Chances are you spent a lot of time in the local library because she can’t stand having you around the house.

      • That’s the big one that drives all little gutties crazy. I also like no RB wins since ’86, no FB conference championships in the entire 21st century and only 1/2 national championship (and they didn’t even play a bowl game) in ’54.

        Thank God we have a real rival in ND, AP’s #3 team all-time. The lowly little gutties couldn’t even crack top 15.

    • If we’re going with that logic of last few games then we’re gonna stomp you out again. Did you forget about what happened last year. To quote Todd McShane on College football live today…

      On Josh Rosen-“Josh Rosen had some serious issues against USC”

    • Yep.. I tease my bruin friends and inner circle of alums about that, I hope not, the rivalry is fun when all hands are on deck..The kid still needs work and the right coach..he could be something special..lol week 4 is my guess.., he will be done!

      • I totally agree. But they are in the exact situation, the very same that SC was in with Matt Barkley. When Barkley was down we struggled big time and we knew we would. The problem with having such a talent like Rosen and Barkley is that it scares away other QB’S to wait behind you.

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