Ohio State’s first Rose Bowl-winning quarterback passes away

Credit: Kevork Djansezian

Credit: Kevork Djansezian

Pandel Savic, the first player to quarterback Ohio State to a win in the Rose Bowl, died Tuesday morning in Columbus.

The Memorial Tournament, where he was general chairman emeritus, announced his passing at the age of 92.

A native of Macedonia, Savic traveled to the United States as a young boy and went on to lead one of the most all-American of lives.

After joining the Marines and fighting in the Pacific Theater in World War II, Savic enrolled at Ohio State.

He was a three-year letterman and threw for 581 yards and six touchdowns in 1949 when the Buckeyes went 7-1-2 and beat California 17-14 in the Rose Bowl after tying Michigan 7-7.

A neighbor and friend of legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, Savic helped found The Memorial Tournament and Muirfield Golf Club.

“Pandel Savic was as good a friend as I have ever had,” Nicklaus said in a statement. “I have known Pandel since I was 6 years old, and until his passing this week, he had been a great friend, great supporter, and great family man.”

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