Will Rogers Bowl named in honor of Will Rogers, a famous Oklahoma native and self-proclaimed "Cowboy Philosopher," who had died in a plane crash the previous decade. A snow storm hit Oklahoma City just before the game and the game was only attended by 800 people. Nebraska-Wesleyan led 7-0 at halftime but Pepperdine came back to win the game 38-13. The bowl game remains Nebraska-Wesleyan and Pepperdine's only college bowl appearance. Will Rogers Bowl The Will Rogers Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on January 1, 1947. It was intended to be an annual event, but
Will Rogers Jr. Will Rogers Jr. William Vann Rogers, generally known as Will Rogers Jr. (October 20, 1911 – July 9, 1993), was a son of legendary humorist Will Rogers (1879–1935) and his wife, the former Betty Blake (1879–1944). He was a Democratic U. S. Representative from California from January 3, 1943, until May 23, 1944, when he resigned to return to the United States Army. Rogers had several other careers, notably as a newspaper owner/publisher, actor, writer, and political commentator. Rogers was born in New York City, where his father was performing. He grew up in Beverly Hills, California, and attended school