| Year: | 1948 |
| Team: | California Golden Bears |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Pacific Coast Conference |
| Short Conf: | PCC |
| Aprank: | 4 |
| Record: | 10–1 |
| Conf Record: | 6–0 |
| Head Coach: | Pappy Waldorf |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Stadium: | California Memorial Stadium |
| Champion: | PCC co-champion |
| Bowl: | Rose Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | L 14–20 vs. Northwestern |
The 1948 California Golden Bears football team was an American football team that represented the University of California, Berkeley in the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) during the 1948 college football season. In their second year under head coach Pappy Waldorf, the Golden Bears compiled a 10–1 record (6–0 in PCC, first), tied for the PCC championship, lost to Northwestern in the Rose Bowl, and outscored its opponents 291 to 100.[1] [2] Home games were played on campus at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California.
California was granted the Rose Bowl berth by a conference vote,[3] [4] [5] but the PCC allowed a second bowl bid this season.[6] Co-champion Oregon played SMU in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on New Year's Day, and also lost.[7] [8] [9]
A controversial moment in the Rose Bowl game is now known as the "phantom touchdown," when Northwestern's player was given a touchdown even though he fumbled the ball as while he was crossing the line, California disputed the touchdown arguing that the ball was fumbled prior to its crossing the line. California's claim is supported by a photograph taken at that moment.[10]
See also: 1948 NCAA football rankings.