A Gridiron Clash: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. UCLA Bruins Football History
For the first time in nearly 40 years, Iowa football and UCLA will square off. The Hawkeyes will travel to take on their new Big Ten opponents in a matchup at the prestigious stadium. This will mark the 10th game between the programs, with UCLA leading the all-time series 7-2. The last time the teams faced off was in 1986.
Series Overview
The series record is 7-2 in favor of the Bruins. Here's a detailed look at the football games played between the Hawkeyes and the Bruins:
- Jan. 1, 1986 (Pasadena): UCLA 45, Iowa 28 (Rose Bowl)
- Sept. 26, 1981 (Iowa City): Iowa 20, UCLA 7
- Oct. 1, 1977 (Los Angeles): UCLA 34, Iowa 16 (UCLA forfeits)
- Sept. 21, 1974 (Iowa City): Iowa 21, UCLA 10
- Sept. 22, 1973 (Los Angeles): UCLA 55, Iowa 18
- Oct. 21, 1955 (Los Angeles): UCLA 33, Iowa 13
- Sept. 24, 1949 (Iowa City): UCLA 41, Iowa 25
- Sept. 27, 1946 (Los Angeles): UCLA 22, Iowa 7
- Sept. 23, 1938 (Los Angeles): UCLA 27, Iowa 3
UCLA won the first five matchups, with the first two games in Los Angeles. Iowa first hosted the Bruins in the third game of their series, on Sept. 24, 1949 - a 41-25 win for the Bruins. Iowa is 2-2 at home against the Bruins but has lost all five games in L.A.
Key Historical Matchups
The Beginning: 1938
The first matchup between the programs occurred on Sept. 23, 1938, at the LA Memorial Coliseum. The Bruins walked away with a 27-3 win.
Iowa's First Victories
Iowa won its first game in the series, 21-10, in Iowa City on Sept. 21, 1974. The Hawkeyes won their second game of the series, 20-7, on Sept. 26, 1981, also in Iowa City.
Read also: UCLA vs. Illinois: Basketball History
The 1986 Rose Bowl
The most recent matchup between the programs was in the 1986 Rose Bowl when the Hawkeyes finished 10-1 and won the Big Ten championship. Despite quarterback Chuck Long completing 29 of his 37 passes for 319 yards and a touchdown, the Hawkeyes lost 45-28 to the Bruins, who got 227 yards and four touchdowns from running back Eric Ball.
There is some speculation in the fan base in whether the Hawkeyes could have claimed at least a share of the national championship had they defeated the Bruins in the Rose Bowl. No. 1 Penn State and No. 2 Miami lost in their respective bowls, though it was ultimately Oklahoma - which beat the Nittany Lions 25-10 in the Orange Bowl - that claimed the national championship.
The Forfeit
Of note: UCLA forfeited a 34-16 win in 1977 in Los Angeles "due to two unnamed players who used fake school transcripts." Both Iowa and UCLA list the series record as 7-2 in favor of the Bruins.
Current Form
Iowa has found its groove in the last two weeks with a 40-14 win over Northeastern and a 42-10 win over Wisconsin in its last two games. UCLA also comes in as winners of back-to-back games, though they have been tighter than Iowa's wins. On the road, the Bruins picked up wins over Rutgers (35-32) and Nebraska (27-20).
Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA
Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors
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