As the 2025 bowl season heats up, the Rose Bowl remains the granddaddy of them all. But 107 years ago, the game nearly vanished amid World War I. With college rosters depleted by enlistments and drafts, traditional East-West matchups were impossible. Travel restrictions and the war effort threatened to cancel the New Year's Day tradition. Tournament of Roses officials appealed to President Woodrow Wilson, who gave his blessing to proceed for the sake of national morale. The solution: a service team showdown between the undefeated Mare Island Marines and the Camp Lewis Army squad.
The Teams: Marines vs. Soldiers
The Mare Island Marines, stationed at the naval base near Vallejo, California, entered the game with an 8-0 record in 1917. Coached by Hugo Bezdek, they dominated opponents, outscoring them 200-10 overall. Key wins included shutouts of Oregon (27-0), USC (34-0), and California (26-0). The team featured former college stars like Hollis Huntington and John Beckett.
Camp Lewis, the 91st Division team from Washington, finished 5-2-1. They lost both meetings to Mare Island, including a 13-0 regular-season defeat in November. While respectable, Camp Lewis was not favored against the Marines' powerhouse lineup.
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