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Duane Blaska, a member of the only two Gophers football teams to play in the Rose Bowl, died Monday from complications of cancer. Blaska, from Anoka, was 79.
After backing up Sandy Stephens on the 1960 and 61 teams that advanced to the Rose Bowl, Blaska became the starting quarterback for the Gophers in 1962. A loss to Wisconsin in the 1962 season finale prevented the Gophers from a third consecutive trip to the Rose Bowl.
Before the 1962 season, coach Murray Warmath told the Minneapolis Tribune that one of the keys to the Gophers success was how Blaska developed at quarterback.
Following the season, Warmath told the Tribune s Sid Hartman, Blaska did a terrific job and was the most improved player among our seniors.