In Reply to: Your favorite games? posted by lafong on October 04, 2025 at 19:01:02
I've posted this before, and I haven't time to figure out where today's game fits in yet - but it definitely fits in! Perhaps in the neighborhood of No. 5 or so -- but here you go . . . Enjoy . . .
LARMZ’S GREATEST UCLA VICTORIES OF THE PAST TWO/THREE DECADES (or so)
The following games represent Larmz’s Greatest UCLA Victories of the Past Two or Three Decades (or so). These are the games that I could watch over and over and over again. Please forgive name misspellings and inaccurate information, I did most of this from memory (not all, but most).
NUMBER 18
1997 - UCLA def. Washington (#18), 52-28
This game was to be a showdown – Both Top-20 teams came in with 7-2 records, 5-1 in the Pac-10, hoping for the Pac-10 Crown. UCLA’s defense “bent and broke” the first quarter and a half, giving up 3 TDs – two on long running plays. Then, after Washington took a 20-14 lead with 7:12 left in the 2nd quarter, McNown did what he seemed to do best – deflate an opponent by scoring quickly after they scored. UCLA would score on the next play (a 67-yard TD pass to Skip) to take the lead. After that, UCLA’s defense went wild and held Washington to negative rushing yardage for the remainder of the game. The UCLA offense went pretty wild too, blitzing Washington for another 31 unanswered. Skip Hicks had an unbelievable game, rushing for 147 yards, catching another 106, and bringing his season TD total to 24, breaking the Pac-10 season record (and he wasn’t close to being finished). Cade was himself, throwing for 320 yards and 3 TDs. Washington allowed more than 50 points for only the second time in 22 years and UCLA achieved their 8th straight win.
NUMBER 17
2011 - UCLA def. Arizona State (#20), 29-28
UCLA found itself playing for first place in the Pac-12 South against a ranked Arizona State team. The game was tight in the first half, with UCLA up 16-14 at the break. The second play of the second half brought the longest UCLA TD pass in a long time – a 76-yarder from Kevin Prince to Nelson Rosario. ASU would score the next two touchdowns though to take a 28-23 lead late into the 4th quarter. UCLA would get the ball back at their own 20 yard line with about 5:50 remaining. UCLA got to 1st and 10 at the ASU 20, then went backward for a couple of plays. Needing 29 yards for the 1st, Kevin Prince connected with Nelson Rosario again for 33 yards. Derrick Coleman then took over and scored the go-ahead touchdown for on a 1-yard run with :49 seconds left. After a series of baffling calls (a lengthy review of a forward pass and a phantom pass interference call on UCLA), ASU was in field goal position and poised to win it. Fortunately, the ASU kicker wasn’t very good – he missed his third of the night and UCLA sat alone atop the Pac-12 South.
NUMBER 16
2010 - UCLA def. Texas (#7), 34-12
Everything was against the Bruins: Texas was ranked in the Top 10 and wanted revenge. UCLA had a dismal passing attack while Texas had the No. 2 rush defense. UCLA had not defeated a ranked opponent on the road in almost 10 years and Texas hadn’t lost at home in 3 years. So, it appeared as though Texas would be poised to finally put the ghosts of 66-3 and 49-31 behind them (see No. 4 and Hon. Mention list). Yeah, well, so much for appearances. Just like in 1997, the Bruins forced a ton of first-half turnovers, and surprisingly shred the rushing defense for 264 yards on the ground. If it wasn’t for a very late Texas touchdown, this would have been even more ugly.
NUMBER 15
2005 - UCLA def. Stanford, 30-27
This game would rank much higher if it wasn’t so miserable for over 3½ quarters. Entering the game, UCLA was 7-0 and Stanford was 3-3. By all accounts, this game wasn’t even going to be close. UCLA had been averaging 44 points per game, but inexplicably found themselves down 24-3 with just over 8 minutes left in the game. No worries, right? QB Drew Olson led three fourth-quarter scoring drives – 65, 72 and 66 yards – that took only 3 minutes and 40 seconds. The last touchdown was scored with 46 seconds left. Stanford hit a field goal to go up 27-24 in the first OT, but all Olson needed were two plays – the second one being a beautiful 23-yard TD pass to Brandon Breazell to end the game. “My heart hurts right now. I'm emotionally drained,” said Marcedes Lewis, “Every time I looked at Drew or any other players, that fire was still in their eyes. We weren't going down like this - not here, not to Stanford."
NUMBER 14
2013 - UCLA (#16) def. Nebraska (#23), 41-21
UCLA was playing with a ton of emotion. Nick Pasquale, a Bruin receiver, was killed 6 days earlier when he was hit by a car. "You can't believe how tough it was on them," Bruin coach Jim Mora said. "You never want to say you won one for somebody. We didn't win one for Nick. What we tried to do today is go out and play with the type or energy, enthusiasm and passion for the game that would reflect what he meant to us." The team wore No. 36 patches on their jerseys in memory of Pasquale, and in a classy move, the Huskers wore No. 36 decals on their helmets. In terms of the game itself, the Huskers were looking to avenge last year’s loss at the Rose Bowl and were well on their way in the first half when they built up an 18 point lead (3-21). Perhaps the emotion was too much on the Bruins, who settled down at the end of the 2nd quarter and beyond. The Bruins scored 35 points in a 16 minute span, starting with a Paul Perkin 10-yard touchdown run to end the half, then Jordon James scored from 3 yards, before Hundley threw TD passes of 28 yards to Shaquelle Evans, 12 yards to Phillip Ruhl and 3 yards to Nate Iese. As he would for so many other games, linebacker Anthony Barr stood out with his 11 tackles and three forced fumbles. "A lot people said last year was a fluke," Barr said. "We were listening to that and had a chip on our shoulder coming in here. We didn't play with enough controlled emotion in the first half.
NUMBER 13
1998 - UCLA def. Arizona (#10), 52-28
Like the game against Washington a year earlier (see Number 15 above), this game was to be a showdown – UCLA had won 13 straight, Arizona 9, both teams were undefeated and ranked in the Top 10, and like the game against Washington a year earlier, UCLA would use defense and scoring blitzes to put this one away. The teams basically traded TDs and Arizona led 28-24 with 6:15 left in the third quarter. But the Bruins dominated from there, scoring four straight touchdowns: Cade ran for a 3-yard TD, threw a 64-yard bomb to Farmer soon thereafter, and Keith Brown broke two TD runs (54 and 20). UCLA won it’s first game at Arizona since 1988. According to Arizona Coach Dick Tomey, "They just whipped us physically in the fourth quarter on our home field. That really hurts. The game went south so quickly and we couldn't come back."
NUMBER 12
2003 - UCLA def. Washington (#18), 46-16
Continuing with the a “UCLA blitzed them” theme, with the Bruins down 16-7 at the half, UCLA came out and, you guessed it, blitzed the ranked Huskies, outscoring them 39-0 the rest of the way. The Defense ‘blitzed’ too – holding Cody Pickett to only 61 second-half passing yards (he had 220 in the first half). Defensive Lineman Rodney Leslie, who was quoted saying "I just hate sitting out," entered the game after a first half suspension and wasted no time, recovering a fumble in the end zone for a TD on the first play of the 2nd half, then later intercepted a Washington pass inside UCLA’s 20-yard line. Reggie Williams (10 catches, 105 yards) was upstaged by Craig Bragg, who made several amazing catches on route to 142 yards.
NUMBER 11
2001 - UCLA def. Alabama (#25), 20-17
Alabama had thoughts of the previous year (see Number 8 below) on their minds and the Tide hadn’t lost a night home opener in over 100 years, so the deck was stacked against the Bruins. With UCLA leading 20-10 with 2:13 left in the game, the Tide scored on a 71 yard bomb to make things interesting. When the Bruins offense couldn’t achieve a 1st down, the Tide got the ball back with only a few seconds remaining. Then, came the most memorable play of the game when Marques Anderson “pinkie” tackled Freddie Milions sprinting down the sideline, saving a sure game-winning TD for the Tide. The Bruins had only 290 yards of total offense (to the Tide’s 458), but like he did the year before, DeShaun Foster carried the load with 24 rushes for 110 yards.
NUMBER 10
2017 - UCLA def Texas A&M, 45-44
For a myriad of reasons, in its first game of the season, UCLA found itself down 44-10 with about 6 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Somehow, someway, the Bruins woke up and scored touchdowns on each of their last five offensive drives. This was Josh Rosen’s defining moment having been abused all game only to take the lead with a fake spike turned TD pass with 48 seconds remaining. Josh threw for 491 yards and 4 Tds, with almost 300 of those yards in the 4th quarter. Josh’s favorite target was tight end Caleb Wilson, who caughter 15 catches for 205 yards. Incidentally, the 34-point comeback was 1 point short of the Div. 1 all-time record for a comeback (35 points).
NUMBER 9
2005 - UCLA def. Oklahoma (#21), 41-24
It was biggest game yet in Coach Karl Dorrell’s career. Oklahoma was coming off two straight BCS championship appearances and bringing in Heisman finalist Adrian Peterson (though he was to miss the first 4 plays as a “trojanesque” punishment for team violations). It looked ugly early as Oklahoma scored a quick TD on a 56-yard reverse. UCLA settled down though and took advantage of Sooner fumbles, one of them a 16-yard touchdown caused by the most vicious hit of the season on Rhett Bohmar courtesy of Dennis Keyes. Nevertheless, the score was a tight 20-17 in favor of UCLA entering the fourth quarter. Oklahoma stacked to stop the run, daring Drew Olson to beat them through the air – which he did. Drew Olson led UCLA to three touchdowns in the final quarter and UCLA’s defense held Oklahoma to just one. After the game, Coach Dorrell said: “What a tough one. I'm proud of our players. They are great kids with great character. It wasn't a perfect game. We needed the opportunities to make some big stops and these guys responded and showed great heart and character.”
NUMBER 8
2000 - UCLA def. Alabama (#3), 35-24
It was the opener for both teams. Many had picked Alabama as the pre-season favorite to win it all, and it looked that way when Freddie Milions took the opening punt 70 yards for a TD. The Bruins, however, had a “Freddie” of their own (i.e., “Mitchell”), who caught 4 passes for 91 yards and threw a 31-yard TD pass to Poli-Dixon. UCLA’s other weapon, DeShaun Foster, carried the load with 42 rushes for 187 total yards. Alabama was ahead 24-21 after a 91-yard interception return with about 8 minutes left in the 3rd. However, Mitchell would immediately strike back with a 46-yard TD pass from Ryan McCann, and Foster would seal the deal with an 8-yard TD run late in the 3rd.
NUMBER 7
2000 - UCLA def. Michigan (#3), 23-20
The reason Michigan was ranked third was that UCLA defeated the previous #3 only two weeks earlier (see Number 8 above). Only Notre Dame, seven years earlier, had defeated two #3's in the same season – but not within a span of only 2 weeks. With the field temperature well over 100 degrees and the largest crowd ever (for a non-USC regular season game), Michigan took a 13-3 lead into the half. UCLA outscored Michigan by a TD in the 3rd, setting up an exciting 4th quarter in which UCLA’s Ed Ieremia-Stansbury would plow through the defense for the go-ahead score. Bruin fans were ecstatic, especially for Ieremia-Stansbury, who had overcome some personal difficulties. It wasn’t over yet, however. The Wolverines had a chance to tie the game with 3 1/2 minutes to play, but a bad snap threw off the timing on Hayden Epstein's 24-yard field goal attempt and it hooked wide left. UCLA thought it had the game in hand, until the Referees overruled a pass-interference call, forcing the Bruins to punt. So, it still wasn’t over. The Wolverines got the ball back and raced all the way down to the UCLA 26 after a double reverse. But moments later Jonathan Navarre's pass over the middle was picked off by Jason Stephens, who was quoted as saying he started crying with joy as he was running back the interception.
NUMBER 6
2001 - UCLA def. Washington (#8), 35-13
Entering the game, both teams were undefeated (4-0) and eager to show the national media what they could do. Washington was on a 12-game winning streak, led by an exceptional rush defense that hadn’t given up a rushing touchdown since DeShaun Foster scored on the ground almost a year earlier (a span of over 6 games). Mr. Foster, however, wouldn’t waste any time showing the Husky defense who would have a record-setting day. Foster scored on a 5-yard run with 5 minutes left in the first quarter, then on a 21-yard run only 4 minutes later. After Jibril Raymo returned a blocked punt for a TD, UCLA took a 21-6 lead into the half. Late in the 3rd, DeShaun would strike again for a 1-yard TD run. With the UCLA victory firmly in hand and Foster with 209 rushing yards, the fun wasn’t over yet. Late in the game, Foster took a handoff on the UCLA 8-yard line and scampered 92 yards for his 4th TD of the game, giving him 301 yards for the day (a new UCLA record by almost 30 yards). Not many will forget Foster’s 92-yard run, in which he kept running through the end zone and into the stadium tunnel, only to reemerge to the cheers and excitement of the crowd. Washington ended up with a mere 16 yards on the ground. The victory put UCLA (5-0, 2-0) in the National Title picture and DeShaun as the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy.
NUMBER 5
2005 - UCLA def. California (#10), 47-40
Both teams were undefeated coming into the game and California had won 12 straight regular season games. California came on strong early, as do many UCLA opponents, and took advantage of a Chris Markey fumble to lead 14-0. But, as California coach Jeff Tedford knew, this was Maurice Drew’s team. Every time UCLA would get close, however, California would open the gap again and UCLA would be forced to come back from deficits of 14 (14-0), 13 (27-14), and 12 (40-28) points. The 12 point deficit was early in the 4th quarter, when Coach Dorrell would call the biggest play of his career – a fake punt that Jarrad Page took 38 yards, setting up a huge UCLA TD. Drew would end up with 299 all purpose yards and five touchdowns, including an 81-yard punt return, and a 28-yard pass for the go-ahead score with 1:35 remaining. UCLA sealed the win with a Trey Brown interception of a Joe Ayoob pass at the Cal 23 with 1:19 remaining, then Drew scored his final TD. "We let Maurice Drew get loose too many times," Coach Tedford said.
NUMBER 4
1997 - UCLA def. Texas (#10), 66-3
UCLA was coming off two heartbreaking season-opening losses to Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. UCLA was respected, as they were dubbed “the best 0-2 team in the county”, but going into the #10/#11 ranked Longhorns stadium looked like they’d come out as the “best 0-3 team in the country”. Well, UCLA wouldn’t waste time putting on their “blitzing” hat . . . but this time, they never took it off. UCLA, led by Cade McNown, simply exploded. Cade threw FIVE first-half TDs, including two in a 20-second span of the second quarter (McElroy, 5 and 4 yarders; Hicks, 43 yards, Grieb, 1 and 1 yarders). Add in a Sailer 44-yard field goal, and UCLA was cruising with a 38-0 half-time lead, as Texas fans were apologizing to Bruin fans and leaving the stadium. The five TD passes broke the record of 4 for a game, held by several Bruins (how many could Cade have thrown had he not sat out the entire second half?). Future Heisman winner Ricky Williams was held to 36 yards rushing. UCLA recorded 7 sacks and forced 8 turnovers, 6 of which turned into TDs. It was Texas’ worst loss in 93 years and the worst ever for a Top 10 team. UCLA was rewarded with a #23 ranking, despite a 1-2 record. However, the pollsters must have known something - UCLA would go on to win their next 19 straight games and “Route 66" will never be just another highway for UCLA fans.
NUMBER 3
1998 - UCLA def. Oregon (#11), 41-38
This was the a game for the ages – College Game Day makes it’s West Coast Debut as both teams had top-notch QB’s (McNown and Akili Smith), both were undefeated (5-0), both had long winning streaks and both were ranked in the Top 11. UCLA started fast in this one, taking a 24-7 lead, led primarily by DeShaun Foster’s spectacular plays (including a 58-yard TD reception and 4-yard TD run). UCLA looked like it would run away with this one, until Foster went down with an ankle sprain and Oregon turned a potential UCLA TD (and 31-7 lead) into a long interception return and short TD run by Smith, going down only 24-14 at the half. Oregon owned the third quarter, scoring a TD and field goal to tie the score at 24, then took the lead with an early 4th quarter long TD pass. McNown, who needed to “clear his stomach” in the late third quarter, bounced back and immediately drove the Bruins to a game-tying TD. Then, after getting the ball back on Rubin Droughns’ fourth fumble, Cade promptly hit Danny Famer for a 60-yard, go-ahead score. The fireworks wouldn’t end there, however, as Akili Smith would keep the potential game-tying drive alive with a 19-yard pass play on 4th and 16. Oregon would score with well under a minute remaining, then squib the kick-off. Well, any coach in his right mind knows not to give Cade McNown a short field. Cade calmly threw a bomb to back-up QB Drew Bennett (the man with the 39-inch vertical leap) to the Oregon 4-yard line. That set up a chip shot by Chris Sailer to win it. Not an easy task, however, as Sailer was playing with an injured hip. The 21-yard chip shot sailed wide left, setting up overtime. Oregon had the ball first and looked toward the end zone, but Brenden Ayenbadejo had other plans. Brenden sacked the elusive Aliki Smith on two straight plays, taking Oregon out of field goal range. On a desperation 4th and long, Brenden again pressured Smith into throwing a lob, which was intercepted. UCLA calmly ran three plays straight up the gut, then let Sailer make up for his miss by nailing a 25-yarder.
NUMBER 2
1996 – UCLA def. USC, 48-41
What can be said here? USC and freshman receiver R. Jay Soward had pretty much dominated the game from the start and had quickly and decisively answered every UCLA score. Let’s pick it up at the start of the 4th quarter, with UCLA down 31-21 only moments after a McNown TD gave UCLA a glimmer of hope. Once again, USC quickly and decisively answered with back-up QB Matt Koffler hitting Soward on a 78-yard TD pass. UCLA could have folded, and, with about 7 minutes remaining in the game, “U-C-L-A Sucks” chants could be head from the crimson ends of the Rose Bowl. It looked as though UCLA’s 5-game win streak over the Trojans was coming to an end. Knowing they were down by 17 and would need a field goal at some point, Coach Toledo looked toward Bjorn Merten (one of only 4 freshman ever to be named All-American) to hit a big field goal. Bjorn hit a 47 yarder, without which, UCLA would have lost this game. With UCLA down by 14, time was still on the side of USC. UCLA’s defense held tight, and USC punted. Cade valiantly led the Bruins to the 1-yard line, and Keith Brown would punch it in for the TD with 2:47 remaining without which, UCLA would have lost this game. UCLA was now only down by 7, but with under 1:40 left, USC probably only needed one first down. They got their first down. UCLA should have lost at that point. Then came all Bruins’ favorite Trojan, LaValle Woods. After the television cameras focused on the Trojan coaches telling Mr. Woods, “Just don’t fumble”, Mr. Woods fumbled, without such, UCLA would have lost this game. Kusante Abdul Salam scooped it up, ran it back, and even added a few yards after suffering a face-mask penalty. UCLA had the ball, but very little time. McNown tossed a 23-yard pass to Rodney Lee, a seldom used receiver, who went horizontal for the amazing catch, without such, UCLA would have probably lost this game. With USC defending the expected pass, UCLA went with Skip Hicks’ right up the gut for an 11-yard TD run to tie the game with :39 seconds remaining. UCLA fans were going bezerk. USC wouldn’t give up, however, and used a terrible pass-interference call on a long bomb to set up a game-winning field goal attempt from 41 yards. The inspired Bruins were not to be denied, however, and blocked the attempt, sending the rivalry into it’s first ever overtime. In the first overtime, UCLA’s defense held strong, but USC hit a 25-yard field goal to take the lead. UCLA’s offense stalled, but after a pep talk about fishing with Coach Toledo, Bjorn Merten calmly hit a 40-yarder of his own, without such, UCLA would have lost. UCLA coaches made the wise decision to remain on offense to begin the 2nd overtime, and on the first play, Skip Hicks took the ball right up and through the middle of the USC defense, then turned on the afterburners cutting outside and into the end zone in probably the most memorable UCLA running play ever. The UCLA crowd went crazy and the USC crowd went silent. UCLA’s defense held up from there, forcing an interception on a prayer throw as Koffler was being tackled.
NUMBER 1
2006 – UCLA def. USC (#2), 13-9
USC came into the game having already defeated UCLA – at least that’s what USC and the media thought. In the week prior to the game, this Bruin was told by a Trojan friend that USC was going to the championship game and beating UCLA was “just a formality.” Vegas oddsmakers had already published betting lines for a USC/Ohio State BCS Championship match-up. The Bruins, however, had other plans. On paper, this match-up would pit a solid defense (UCLA’s) against a dynasty offense (USC’s). USC was averaging over 32 points a game and had not scored less than 20 points in about 6 years. The Trojans had beaten the Bruins seven straight times, and were confident that they’d be tying the series record for consecutive victories (UCLA with 8 straight).
Well, as everyone knows, you can throw everything out the window when it comes to this game, before which Pete Carroll said, “We have a great opportunity. We have a great game coming up, a great matchup in a game we love to play in . . . We can't wait to get started." But that changed almost immediately, when on USC’s first possession of the game, they were stuffed on 4th and 1 and UCLA, on their third possession, would ride the coat-tails of QB Patrick Cowan en route to the lone TD of the first quarter.
In terms of offense, if USC won anything during this game, it could be said that the second quarter was all theirs . . . They were given two points when a UCLA defender was called for holding in the endzone (technically a safety) and they marched 66 yards in 12 plays to score a TD. But that was the proverbial “all she wrote for SC”. Their next 7 possessions would go like this: punt, punt, punt, failed 4th down conversion attempt, punt, interception, end of game. UCLA, on the other hand, made the big plays when needed and would achieve 2 field goals on their final six possessions – enough to give them the lead, then increase it.
In terms of defense, UCLA stood strong all game long, stuffing USC’s running game time after time and holding the Trojans to 55 years rushing for the entire game. USC’s defense was strong as well, keeping UCLA from the end zone, but the Bruins still managed 6 points behind the nation’s best field goal kicker, Justin Medlock.
Aside from a UCLA interception to seal the victory (discussed later), the play of the game came as the first play of the 4th quarter. USC, which was known for their 4th down conversion success, went for it on 4th and 2 at the UCLA 36. SC tried a quick snap to counter the Bruins speed, but the Bruins were not fooled – CJ Gable was thrown down and flipped over for a 4 yard loss on the play (and it wasn’t even that close). It seemed like any one of four or five Bruins could have tackled Gable on the play.
USC tried, bless their little hearts, to rally themselves. A big (and very much illegal) hit on Patrick Cowan by a Trojan defender appeared to ignite and rally the Trojans with just over 6 minutes remaining. But not today.
One of the greatest moments in the rivalry would occur just after the ensuing punt. With 5:52 remaining the entire UCLA team huddled up to rally each other. The entire USC team then did the same. Both teams turned toward each other jumping and barking. It was a not-so-subtle acknowledgment that this was it. The defining moment. This game would be won or lost on the next possession. Only, at least to this observer, UCLA’s passion felt real. USC’s felt “contrived.” The Bruins were the actors. The Trojans were the re-actors.
Nevertheless, USC began their final possession in an attempt to decide this game on the last possession as it had so many other times. After a short pass, SC got a first down on a 4th and 1, then marched all the way down to the UCLA 19 yard line with just over 1 minute remaining.
Then it happened. One of the greatest plays in the history of UCLA football – A play that would forever etch itself in the minds of Bruin fans everywhere, not unlike Skip Hicks’ 25 yard TD in overtime, JJ Stokes’ 90 yard TD reception, or Marvin Goodwin’s interception (among others).
On 3rd and 4 from the UCLA 19, USC’s John David Booty dropped back to pass. Eric McNeal jumped straight and high to tip the pass at the line of scrimmage, then turned his body a full 180 degrees, and made a diving catch for the interception. The Bruins celebrated wildly. Bruce Davis hugged McNeal with tears in his eyes. The Trojans walked off the field in disbelief, and the look on Pete Carroll’s face brought joy to Bruin fans everywhere.
USC had one last chance on a Hail Mary with no time remaining, but it just wasn’t to be. Not on this day. Nothing was going to take this win away from the Bruins. As it turned out, the USC fans were right – this game was over before it began. Only the winner was not who they expected.
Honorable Mentions
1997 - UCLA def. Houston, 66-10
Two weeks after thrashing Texas, UCLA travels Route 66 once again.
1998 - UCLA (#3) def. Oregon State, 41-34
Not so much for the greatness of the whole game, but for the greatness of the final play. OSU tied the game with 21 seconds to play. The ensuing kick-off was short (to the Bruin 39) giving McNown and Brad Melsby all they needed. One play, 69 yards. Game over. Will never forget McNown throwing his arms up in the air after that play.
1998 - UCLA def. Texas (#23), 49-31
Despite revenge on Ricky Williams’ mind, Cade and company picked up where they left off the previous season and thoroughly dominated the Longhorns taking a 35-3 lead into the half, then a 42-10 lead into the fourth quarter. This was UCLA’s record 11th consecutive victory (and remained so until the next week, and the week after that, and the week after that).
2001 - UCLA def. Ohio State (#21), 13-6
First game after the events of 9/11 and despite 7 UCLA fumbles, the Defense never budged in holding Ohio State 116 total yards (the longest pass play for the Buckeyes was 11 yards).
2004 - UCLA def. Washington, 37-31
Anytime a UCLA player rushes 26 times for 322 yards and 5 touchdowns, it’s one of my favorite games. Mo Drew had TD runs of 47, 62, 58, 15 and 37 yards.
2012 - UCLA def. Nebraska (#17), 36-30
In a stadium that was almost more Red than Blue, this game marked Brett Hundley’s Rose Bowl debut – and he didn’t disappoint. Brett went 21 for 31 with 305 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Mayor, Johnathan Franklin rushed for 217 yards. Another big contributor was Joseph Fauria who caught two TD passes. But the biggest play of the game was probably Datone Jones’ huge sack of Taylor Martinez (who always wanted to be a Bruin) in the end zone for the 2 points. ''We were sitting in the sideline, just chilling, and then Datone sacks him, and it's an explosion in the Rose Bowl,'' Hundley said. ''That's just what we needed.'' The defense was strong all day, as the Huskers didn't convert a third down until the first play of the fourth quarter.
2013 - UCLA (#22) def. USC (#23), 35-14
Other than Cade McNown, Brett Hundley is probably USC’s biggest nemesis. This was Brett’s second of three straight victories against the Trojans. Brett killed USC with his legs - 80 yards, most of which were on pivotal 3rd downs. Defensive stars Myles Jack and Eddie Vanderdoes switched sides and rushed for touchdowns. Jack also recovered a fumble deep in UCLA territory in the early 4th quarter. The 21 point margin of victory was UCLA’s largest against USC since 1970.
2014 - UCLA (#12) def. Texas, 20-17
Backup quarterback Jerry Neuheisel a gorgeous 33-yard pass to Jordan Payton with 3 minutes left lifting the Bruins over Texas. The pass was the first play after Ishmael Adams' 58-yard punt return when he was helped by a crushing open-field block by Cameron Judge.
2014 - UCLA def. USC, 38-20
Brett Hundley lead another ho-hum victory over the Trojans by throwing for 326 yards, 3 TDs, and rushing for 1 more. With Brett’s only real mistake being an early interception returned for a TD, UCLA would have won this game 38-14. Brett also became UCLA’s all-time leader in total offense with 11,353 yards. “We were up 24-14 at halftime after that touchdown, and to come in the second half and get that ball and go up 31-14 and then 38-14, that said a lot,” Hundley said.
2021 - UCLA def. #16 LSU, 38-27
You want smash-mouth SEC football? UCLA punched LSU in the mouth, held them to 48 yards rushing, and ran down their throats for a big early season win. Tight End Greg Dulcich torched LSU early with a 75 yard TD grab. This was the first Pac-12 victory over a ranked SEC team since UCLA defeated Tennessee in 2008.
2021 - UCLA def. USC, 62-33
Dorian Thompson-Robinson leads the Bruins to the most points ever scored against SC in a huge win (and tied for the most points SC has ever given up to anyone). He threw for almost 350 yards, 4 touchdowns and rushed for 46 - but the most memorable was his leap over an SC defense for a late touchdown with 3:47 to play. The second most memorable DTR moment was after a second quarter TD when a young SC fan handed him a UCLA and a pen and DTR promptly gave his autograph. It drew a flag, but I’m not sure many UCLA fans cared! Kaz Allen was phenomenal in the game as well with 2 TD catches and a 100 yard kick off return.