UCLA vs. Nebraska Football: A Storied History
As UCLA joins the Big Ten, it's time to look back at their gridiron history with Nebraska. Of all the incoming teams, the Bruins have the most history with the Cornhuskers. Since their first game in 1946, Nebraska and UCLA have faced off 14 times. Currently, the series is tied 7-7.
A Game-by-Game Look
Here's a chronological look at the games, offering a glimpse into the evolution of this rivalry:
Nov 2, 2024: Lincoln, NebraskaUCLA won in Lincoln, 27-20
December 26, 2015 - Foster Farms Bowl
The last contest between the Bruins and Huskers was in the Foster Farms Bowl. Nebraska entered with a 5-7 record, facing an eight-win UCLA team. The game was a back-and-forth affair until the second half when Nebraska held UCLA scoreless in the third quarter, adding nine points of their own to win 37-29.
September 14, 2013 - Lincoln, NE
The 16th-ranked Bruins rallied tremendously in the third quarter, scoring 28 points to the 23rd-ranked Nebraska's 0 and held the Huskers scoreless the entire second half, securing a resounding 41-21 victory.
September 12, 2012 - Pasadena, CA
UCLA pulled out a close 36-30 win after the Huskers gave the Bruins the lead via a safety in the fourth quarter. With a two-point advantage, UCLA never looked back.
Read also: UCLA vs. Illinois: Basketball History
September 17, 1994 - Lincoln, NE
Nebraska routed UCLA, totaling nearly 500 rushing yards in a 49-21 victory. This win marked the end of Nebraska's dominant run in the series, where they won six times in seven games, starting in 1973.
September 18, 1993 - Pasadena, CA
Nebraska held on for a narrow 14-13 win. UCLA scored first with a field goal, but Nebraska responded with a touchdown in the second quarter. A touchdown in the third sealed the victory for the Huskers. This was the only win in the seven-game stretch where the winner didn't score at least 40 points.
September 10, 1988 - Pasadena, CA
Led by future NFL Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, UCLA jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter. Nebraska scored 28 points the rest of the way, but it wasn't enough as UCLA added 13 more points to win 41-28.
September 12, 1987 - Lincoln, NE
Despite going scoreless in the first quarter, Nebraska scored 14 points in each of the remaining three quarters to defeat UCLA 42-33. This game marked the first time two of the top three teams in the nation faced off in Lincoln, with UCLA ranked third and Nebraska second.
September 22, 1984 - Pasadena, CA
This game marked the first time the two teams played at the Rose Bowl. Nebraska secured their first-ever win in California with a dominant 42-3 victory over the eighth-ranked Bruins. This was also the biggest margin of victory by either team in the series.
Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA
September 24, 1983 - Lincoln, NE
Nebraska broke their own record for margin of victory against UCLA with a 42-10 win. Despite UCLA taking an early double-digit lead, the top-ranked Huskers regained composure and dominated the rest of the game.
September 8, 1973 - Lincoln, NE
Nebraska's first-ever win against UCLA was a record win at the time between the schools. It was also the most points scored by the winning team in the series. This win over UCLA was the first for Tom Osborne, setting forward the most important era for Nebraska in the years to come. Nebraska won 40-13.
September 9, 1972 - Los Angeles, CA
UCLA upset Nebraska, who were in pursuit of their third straight national title. The Bruins' game-winning kick with 22 seconds left secured a 20-17 victory. This loss ended Nebraska's 32-game winning streak and hampered their national title hopes.
October 30, 1948 - Lincoln, NE
UCLA defeated Nebraska 27-15 in a game remembered for a near riot at the end. Tensions rose to the point where fans were peeling from their seats to partake in the melee. Police had to intervene. UCLA's win ended their three-game losing streak that season.
November 30, 1946 - Los Angeles, CA
The first-ever game between UCLA and Nebraska went the way of the Bruins. The fourth-ranked Bruins dominated the Huskers all afternoon, winning 18-0.
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Key Players and Moments
Throughout the years, several players have left their mark on this rivalry. In 1988, Troy Aikman led UCLA to a decisive victory. More recently, Nebraska's Emmett Johnson has emerged as a standout player, posing a significant threat to UCLA's defense.
Nebraska's Threat to UCLA
Following a much-needed bye week, the Bruins faced Nebraska's Emmett Johnson. Through nine games of the season, he rushed for 1,002 yards and 10 touchdowns on 175 carries, averaging 5.7 yards per rush and 111.3 yards per game.
UCLA's interim head coach Tim Skipper marked Johnson as someone the Bruins always need to key in on on defense.
"Thousand yard rusher," Skipper said during Monday's media availability. "First one for us that we're going to get. He's a legitimate baller. I mean, he can do it all. You think about running backs, you just think of them running, but he's threat out of the backfield as a pass catcher, too. So, 21 has got to be an emphasis for us. We're going to have to know where he is at all times."
He does a good job at just making people miss. I'm really impressed by how he plays. You know, I come from a family of running back coaches and I've watched a lot of backs and he's one of the top guys I've ever seen.
Blackshirts Stifling Opponent Passing Game
The Nebraska Blackshirts have been strong, ranking among the Big Ten and national leaders in numerous categories.
- Nebraska ranks second in the nation in passing yards allowed per game at 128.3 per contest, just 3.7 yards per game behind national leader Oregon.
- Nebraska has held eight of nine opponents to 160 or fewer yards passing.
- Nebraska has held each of their first three opponents to less than 70 yards passing, including Cincinnati (69 yards), Akron (62) and Houston Christian (67).
- Nebraska's 12 opponent pass plays of 20 yards or more is third nationally, trailing only Ohio State (11) and Oregon (11).
- Nebraska held USC to 337 yards, nearly 200 yards below its season average. Nebraska has held all nine opponents to fewer than 400 total yards.
- Nebraska's shutout of Akron on Sept.
- Both Houston Christian and Akron were held to less than 200 yards.
Johnson Thriving in Husker Backfield
Junior running back Emmett Johnson has been one of the nation's most productive backs and is a strong candidate for All-America and All-Big Ten honors.
- Johnson has 1,199 yards from scrimmage, one of six players in the country to record 1,000 yards from scrimmage, including just two in a Power Four conference.
- Johnson is one of only two running backs in the country to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark.
- Against USC, Johnson also surpassed the 2,000-yard career rushing mark.
- Johnson posted his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season with 165 yards against USC, the most 100-yard games by a Husker since Anthony Grant also had five in 2022.
- Johnson had a career outing in NU's 34-31 win at Maryland. He rushed 21 times for a career-high 176 yards, including a career-long 50-yard run on a critical fourth-quarter scoring drive.
- Johnson had 140 rushing yards against Akron on Sept. 6. He also reached the end zone a career-best three times against the Zips, including two rushing scores and a touchdown catch. He matched the three-TD total against Michigan State with a trio of rushing touchdowns.
- Johnson posted back-to-back 100-yard rushing games to open the season (140 vs. Akron, 108 vs. Cincinnati).
- Johnson has 79 career receptions and is the third running back in school history to reach 75 career receptions, joining Marlon Lucky and Jeff Kinney.
- Johnson took over the lead back role in the final four games last season when Holgorsen joined the Nebraska staff.
Nebraska Heads to West Coast
Nebraska's trip to the Rose Bowl to face UCLA marks the second consecutive year NU has traveled to Southern California for a game. Last year, the Huskers played at USC in November.
- Nebraska's matchup with the Bruins in Pasadena will mark the seventh meeting between the schools played in either Pasadena or Los Angeles.
- Saturday night's game will mark Nebraska's 10th game in the state of California this century, including a 2012 matchup against the Bruins in Pasadena.
- Nebraska's visit to the Rose Bowl on Saturday will mark the Huskers' seventh all-time game in the stadium.
Six Huskers Set for California Homecoming
Nebraska has six players on its roster from California, tying for the fourth-most on the 2025 roster.
- The Golden State natives also include sophomore linebacker Jacob Bower (Rancho Santa Margarita), sophomore defensive lineman Sua Lefotu (Bellflower) and true freshman quarterback TJ Lateef (Compton).
This Weekâs Numbers
- 10 - Nebraska has limited its first nine opponents to less than 400 yards of total offense, one of just 10 FBS teams to achieve that feat.
- 160 - Nebraska has held eight of nine opponents this season to fewer than 160 yards passing. The Blackshirts held USC to 135 passing yards last week, the fewest for the Trojans in 83 games.
- 1,000 - Nebraska junior running back Emmett Johnson has posted the first 1,000-yard rushing season for a Husker since 2018.
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