Samuel Doyle Nave (July 12, 1915 – December 10, 1990) was an American football player and coach. He was known for coming off the bench and throwing the game-winning touchdown in the 1939 Rose Bowl. He was drafted 6th overall by the Detroit Lions but did not play for them. Afterwards he was the head coach of the Hawaii Polar Bears, a minor-league team.
Nave went to college at USC. He played on their freshmen team in 1936. From 1937 to 1939, he was one of their backup quarterbacks.
1939 Rose Bowl
In the 1939 Rose Bowl, he came off the bench with little time left and threw 4 straight completed passes to tight end Al Krueger.[1] His fourth pass was completed for a touchdown with seconds remaining to beat the Duke Blue Devils 7–3.[2][3][4][5][6] It was the only points Duke allowed all season.[2] Nave and Krueger were named MVPs and later were inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame.[7]
In 1940 Nave was drafted sixth overall by the Detroit Lions but he did not play for them.[9][10]
Hollywood Bears and Hawaii Polar Bears
After being drafted by the Lions, he became the Head Coach of the Hawaii Polar Bears, a minor league team.[11][12] He played for them and also played shortly with the Hollywood Bears.[9]
Death
Nave died on December 10, 1990, at the age of 75.[13]
