Rose Bowl Hero Krueger Dies at 79 After Cancer Battle

“Antelope” Al Krueger, best known for his heroics for USC in the 1939 Rose Bowl, died Friday in Lancaster after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 79.

Krueger, a three-year letterman at USC, was a sophomore end for the Trojans when they met unbeaten Duke in the 1939 Rose Bowl. USC trailed, 3-0, in the final two minutes when fourth-string quarterback Doyle Nave came into the game and threw four consecutive passes to Krueger, including the game-winning 19-yard touchdown play.

Krueger played professionally for the Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Dons, served as a naval air instructor during World War II and ran a sanitarium for tuberculosis patients in Antelope Valley.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Master in Lancaster. Krueger is survived by his wife Virginia, daughters Cathy and Karin, son Alvin and five grandchildren.