On September 17, 1910, we had another legendary birthday, that of Cliff Montgomery, the former quarterback from Columbia University. Montgomery had his watershed collegiate moment on the big stage at a crucial moment. The setting was the 1934 Rose Bowl, and heavily favored Stanford University was having its way with the Lions in the second quarter, but somehow was denied the end zone, and the score was still tied at 0-0.
Montgomery in the huddle then called the play that went down in history known as the K.F. 79, a newly devised options-style play that failed twice earlier. But Cliff wanted to give it one more chance, so the Lions set up in the unbalanced line formation, Morton took the snap, and then promptly headed off to the speedster Al Barabas, who swiftly weaved his way to an 18-yard touchdown. It proved to be the only score of the Game, and Columbia won the Rose Bowl 7-0, with Cliff Montgomery voted as the MVP of the Game.
Cliff would go on to receive All-American honors and lead the Columbia Lions to a 22-win, 3-loss, and 2-tie record during his three seasons played. After school, Cliff Montgomery played one season professionally with the Brooklyn Dodgers football team, and later became one of the nation’s top football officials. He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and became a decorated naval commander.
The National Football Foundation voted Montgomery into its College Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
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