A
three-time University of California (Berkeley) All-America
from 1927 to
1929, Benny Lom was one of the great
triple threat players (runner, passer,
kicker) of his time.
Although he often thrilled spectators
with long touchdown runs and allaround
versatility, he is usually remembered
as an active participant in an
unforgettable incident in American
football history. It occurred in the 1929
Rose Bowl classic that matched Cal
against Georgia Tech.
The game was scoreless when Lom,
at defensive safety (players played offense
and defense during this era), hit a
Georgia Tech running back so hard itcaused him to fumble. Cal
center Roy
Riegels picked up the loose ball and
headed for the goal line. However, in
the excitement of the moment, a disoriented
Riegels ran the wrong way—toward
his own goal line.
Everyone in the stadium, except
Riegels, instantly recognized the faux
pas, but only Lom set off in hot pursuit
of his confused teammate. As Lom
raced after Riegels, he shouted to the
lineman to reverse his field, but could
not be heard over the roar of the estimated
100,000 spectators. Only steps
from crossing the goal line, Lom managed
to catch and tackle Riegels before
he set foot in the wrong end zone. Lom
had saved the day, momentarily. In the
next series of downs, attempting to
punt from his own end zone, Lom’s
kick was blocked for a safety.
Nevertheless, that day, Benny Lom
passed for a touchdown, kicked the extra
point, and was named Outstanding
Player of the game. But Cal lost the contest,
8–7.
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