UCLA Football Under Terry Donahue – 1996-2015

Nov 28, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) is pursued by Stanford Cardinal linebacker James Vaughters (9) in the second half of the game at the Rose Bowl. Stanford won 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

2012

With redshirt freshman Brett Hundley taking the reins at quarterback, Tom Herman’s spread option offense and Phil Snow’s typical strong defense give the Bruins the lift that they’d been seeking. UCLA rolls through its schedule without much of a close call until meeting #21 USC. The 10-0 Bruins move to 11-0, though, with a 10-point victory that snaps what had been a five-game losing streak in the series.

The #3 Bruins trip up, however, facing #11 Stanford in the final game of the regular season. This loss means that the following week’s Pac-12 Championship Game is an immediate rematch in Palo Alto. This time, UCLA takes advantage of a few Cardinal miscues and a sparse Friday night home crowd to eke out a 28-27 victory.

As a prize, the #4 Bruins face Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl and are finally able to avenge the 1994 loss as senior running back Johnathan Franklin rushes for 210 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-10 Bruin victory. UCLA finishes the season ranked #3 behind champion Alabama and undefeated-but-sanctioned Ohio State.

Next: 2014