A Gridiron Legacy: Exploring the Football History Between Nebraska and UCLA
The Nebraska Cornhuskers and UCLA Bruins, two storied programs now sharing the Big Ten Conference, possess a rich and engaging football history. Spanning eight decades, their gridiron encounters have produced memorable moments, showcasing both teams' strengths and contributing to the tapestry of college football lore. As the Bruins and Huskers prepare to face off once again, let's delve into the history between these two teams.
A Series of Streaks and Shifts: The Historical Overview
The UCLA Bruins and Nebraska Cornhuskers have a long-standing rivalry dating back to 1946. They've clashed 14 times, resulting in a 7-7 series split. Their meetings were most frequent in the 1980s and 1990s.
The series began with UCLA holding the upper hand, but Nebraska responded with a dominant stretch. Recent matchups have seen a more balanced competition, reflecting the evolving landscape of college football.
Game-by-Game Breakdown
Here's a look at the results of each game played between Nebraska and UCLA:
- 2024: UCLA, 27-20
- 2015: Nebraska, 37-29
- 2013: UCLA, 41-21
- 2012: UCLA, 36-30
- 1994: Nebraska, 49-21
- 1993: Nebraska, 14-13
- 1988: UCLA, 41-28
- 1987: Nebraska, 42-33
- 1984: Nebraska, 42-3
- 1983: Nebraska, 42-10
- 1973: Nebraska, 40-13
- 1972: UCLA, 20-17
- 1948: UCLA, 27-15
- 1946: UCLA, 18-0
Key Games and Turning Points
Several games in the Nebraska-UCLA series stand out as particularly significant:
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- September 9, 1972: In pursuit of their third straight national title, the Huskers were upset by the Bruins, 20-17, in Los Angeles. UCLA's game-winning kick with 22 seconds left saw the host team walking away with a surprise win, ending Nebraska's 32-game winning streak.
- September 8, 1973: Nebraska's first win ever against UCLA was a record win at the time between the schools, 40-13. It was also the most points scored by the winning team in this young series. Additionally, this win over UCLA was the first win for Tom Osborne at Nebraska.
- September 22, 1984: This clash marked the first time the two teams faced off in UCLA's new home stadium, the Rose Bowl. Nebraska defeated number eight UCLA 42-3, marking Nebraska's first-ever win in the state of California.
- September 17, 1994: Nebraska routed UCLA in Lincoln, 49-21, nearly totaling 500 yards on the ground. This win also signaled the end of Nebraska's run in the series, where they won six times in seven games starting in 1973.
- December 26, 2015: The last time the Bruins and Huskers faced off was in the Foster Farms Bowl in 2015, with Nebraska winning 37-29.
Nebraska's Offensive Weapon: Emmett Johnson
Nebraska's junior running back Emmett Johnson has emerged as a dominant force in the 2025 season. Johnson is a strong candidate for All-America and All-Big Ten honors. He is one of the nation's most productive backs.
Through nine games, Johnson rushed for 1,002 yards and 10 touchdowns on 175 carries, averaging 5.7 yards per rush and 111.3 yards per game. Johnson posted his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season with 165 yards against USC. Against 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. He also reached the end zone a career-best three times against the Zips, including two rushing scores and a touchdown catch.
The Blackshirts: Nebraska's Defensive Fortress
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. Nebraska has held eight of nine opponents to 160 or fewer yards passing. Nebraska's 12 opponent pass plays of 20 yards or more is third nationally. Nebraska has held all nine opponents to fewer than 400 total yards. Nebraska limited its first nine opponents to less than 400 yards of total offense, one of just 10 FBS teams to achieve that feat.
Connections and California Ties
Nebraska's trip to the Rose Bowl to face UCLA marks the second consecutive year NU has traveled to Southern California for a game. Nebraska has six players on its roster from California. 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).
The Road Ahead: A Big Ten Rivalry Renewed
With Nebraska and UCLA now both members of the Big Ten Conference, their rivalry takes on a new dimension. The annual matchup becomes a crucial conference game with implications for divisional standings and potential postseason berths.
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