A History of the Colorado-UCLA Football Game Spread

The UCLA Bruins football program, representing the University of California, Los Angeles, is a prominent participant in college football as a member of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level. Throughout their history, the Bruins have experienced periods of significant success, consistently appearing in the top ten of the AP Poll across several decades. This article delves into the historical performance of the UCLA Bruins, particularly focusing on their matchups against the Colorado Buffaloes.

Early Years and Coaching Legends

UCLA's football journey began in 1919, with Fred Cozens as the coach. The team's initial record was 2-6. In 1920, UCLA joined the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC), competing against institutions such as Occidental College and the California Institute of Technology.

William H. Spaulding and Edwin C. Horrell

William H. Spaulding arrived at UCLA from Minnesota in 1925. Edwin C. Horrell succeeded Spaulding as head coach upon his retirement. Horrell led the 1942 UCLA Bruins to the 1943 Rose Bowl, where they faced Georgia. Notably, he was the first coach to guide UCLA to a victory against their rival, USC, marking the inaugural football triumph in the UCLA-USC rivalry.

Red Sanders Era

The 1950s marked the Bruins' first major period of success under head coach Red Sanders. Sanders led the Bruins to the Coaches' Poll national championship in 1954, three conference championships, and an impressive overall record of 66-19-1 over nine years. The 1954 Bruins achieved a 9-0 record, ascending to the top of the Coaches' Poll and sharing the national championship with Ohio State. Due to the Pacific Coast Conference's (PCC) "no repeat" rule, the undefeated Bruins could not compete in the Rose Bowl that season, despite being the PCC champion. Instead, USC, who the Bruins defeated 34-0, played in the 1955 Rose Bowl, losing to Ohio State. Sanders was also known for intensifying the Bruins' rivalry with USC.

Transition After Sanders

Following Sanders' death, assistant coach George W. Dickerson briefly took over before a full-time head coach was hired. William F. Barnes coached the UCLA Bruins for seven seasons, achieving a 31-34-3 record. He led the Bruins to the 1962 Rose Bowl and finished the season ranked No. 16 in the AP poll.

Tommy Prothro's Impact

Tommy Prothro's arrival from Oregon State in 1965 marked a significant era. In the 1965 season, despite an initial loss to Michigan State, the Bruins achieved a seven-game undefeated streak, defeating national powers like Syracuse and Penn State. In 1966, heading into the final game of the season against USC, UCLA was 2-1 in conference games, 8-1 overall, and ranked No. 5 nationally.

One notable game was against Washington, where UCLA lost 16-3. UCLA had beaten UW the season before, 28-24, with Prothro's trick play, the Z-streak.

Despite quarterback Gary Beban's injury before the USC game, backup Norman Dow led UCLA to a 14-7 victory. However, the AAWU conference athletic directors controversially awarded USC the Rose Bowl berth, sparking protests among UCLA students. In 1967, Prothro helped Gary Beban win the Heisman Trophy. The No. 1 ranked UCLA team faced No. 2 USC, losing 21-20.

In 1969, the Bruins, quarterbacked by Dennis Dummit, were undefeated until facing Stanford. A tie against Stanford and a loss to USC cost them the Pac-8 title and Rose Bowl berth. In 1970, UCLA suffered injuries and finished 6-5. The season ended with a 45-20 victory over USC.

Later Coaching Tenures

Pepper Rodgers succeeded Prothro, and in his three seasons, UCLA finished 2-7-1, 8-3, and 9-2. Dick Vermeil led the Bruins to a 15-5-3 record in two seasons (1974-1975), including a 9-2-1 record in 1975, winning their first conference championship in 10 years and the Rose Bowl.

The Donahue Era and Beyond

In the 1980s and 1990s, under Terry Donahue, the Bruins achieved a 151-74-8 record, including 13 bowl games and an NCAA record eight straight bowl wins. The 1997 team finished as co-champions of the Pacific-10 Conference with Washington State. However, Washington State earned the Rose Bowl berth due to their victory over the Bruins.

Recent Years

Recent success has been elusive for the Bruins, who have a 16-19 overall bowl game record. The program has produced 28 first-round NFL draft picks, 30 consensus All-Americans, and multiple major award winners. The Bruins were twice the Pac-12 Conference South Division champions, earning the right to play in Pac-12 Football Championship Games in both 2011 and 2012.

The Dorrell Years

In 2005, coach Karl Dorrell achieved his first win against a ranked opponent, No. 21 Oklahoma. The same year, a game against Washington marked the first time two black head coaches faced each other in a Pac-10 conference game. Dorrell also secured his first win against a top-ten opponent with an upset victory over No. 10-ranked California. The 2005 season saw the Bruins earning the nickname "The Cardiac Kids" due to multiple comeback victories. However, they suffered a significant loss to Arizona and a 66-19 defeat to USC. The Bruins finished third in the Pac-10 standings and defeated Northwestern in the Sun Bowl, finishing the season with a 10-2 record. In 2006, the Bruins finished the season 7-6.

UCLA vs. Colorado: A Closer Look

Recent Matchups

UCLA has a strong record against Colorado at the Rose Bowl, with a 4-1 record. They have won all four games since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011.

2019 Game Preview

In a 2019 game preview, the marquee matchup was highlighted as Colorado quarterback Steven Montez against the UCLA defense. Montez, a fifth-year senior, was noted for his dual-threat capabilities.

Read also: The history of Colorado Mesa

Offensive and Defensive Performance

UCLA:

Offense: The Bruins' offense trended upward, with their running game becoming the best in the Pac-12. They averaged 488.4 yards over their last five games, a significant increase from their initial three games.
Defense: UCLA's defense was stout against Arizona State.

Colorado:

Offense: Colorado's offense was strong, but questionable coaching decisions impacted their performance.
Defense: The Buffaloes struggled defensively, allowing at least 30 points in all eight games and giving up numerous explosive plays.

Special Teams

The game featured notable special teams players, including Colorado kicker James Stefanou and UCLA punter Wade Lees, who were among the oldest players in major college football.

Injury Report

Injuries impacted both teams, with UCLA's Elijah Wade and Quentin Lake doubtful. Colorado's injury woes forced them to start 36 players on offense and defense.

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