Written By
Written By
Written By
Written By
Many traditions died with the collapse of the PAC-12 in 2024. Most college football fans lament the Apple Cup and the Civil War, but arguably the most devastating lost tradition is the one that nobody talks about.
From 1977 to 2023, California hosted the Joe Roth Memorial Game against either USC or UCLA to honor the life and legacy of the late quarterback. Roth’s story is not as well known as Brian Piccolo or Ernie Davis’s, but it is just as admirable. Roth hid a valiant fight against melanoma throughout the 1977 season, continuing to play and even finishing ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Roth’s persistence and strength extended beyond the season, as he continued to play in both the Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl all-star games despite his deteriorating condition.
Joe Roth’s determination and kind spirit continue to live on throughout the California program. The most obvious sign of this was in the Joe Roth Memorial Game. Unfortunately, the ripple effects of conference realignment prevented the game from occurring for two years. California’s move to the ACC meant the Golden Bears would not play USC or UCLA yearly. Hence, there was no Joe Roth Memorial Game in 2024 or 2025.
Fortunately, this year, UCLA returns to California Memorial Stadium and so does the Joe Roth Memorial Game. However, Joe Roth’s legacy transcends a single opponent. There should never be another hiatus in the Joe Roth Memorial Game.
While the Golden Bears lack home games against Western opponents, California still has options that are not too far-fetched. One of Joe Roth’s best games came against Georgia in 1976, when he threw for 379 yards and two touchdowns in a 36-24 loss in Athens. No one will mistake Georgia Tech for the Bulldogs, but the Peach State connection to Joe Roth adds meaning to an otherwise random conference matchup.
Another pathway for Cal would be to schedule a yearly home game against a California non-Power Four school. In essence, this would create a more related UCLA/USC stand-in. The 2027 season opener against Sacramento State is ideal, despite the two schools having few prior meetings. This would fill the gap left by the Bears visiting UCLA next season. Although the 2029 non-conference slate is full, the Golden Bears have openings in the three subsequent seasons.
Despite these solutions, one thing is clear. The Joe Roth Memorial Game should not be limited to an opponent. The Golden Bears can look to how one of their new conference mates handles its memorial game. Regardless of opponent, Boston College holds its Red Bandana Game to honor the selfless heroics of Welles Crowther on 9/11. Some years that means a high-profile non-conference game against the likes of USC or Notre Dame gets the honor. In other years, Boston College chooses a conference opponent that may not even be a huge rival. Nonetheless, Boston College ensures it honors Welles Crowther’s legacy in some way. Cal must do the same for Joe Roth.
College football fans will welcome the return of the Joe Roth Memorial Game, but the simple fact is it never should have left in the first place. The fact that the Golden Bears let conference realignment stop them from honoring Roth’s legacy the last two years contradicts Joe Roth’s indomitable fighting spirit.
