The 1954 UCLA Bruins football team was an American football team that represented the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the Pacific Coast Conference during the 1954 college football season. They played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and were coached by Red Sanders. It was Sanders' sixth season as the UCLA head coach; the Bruins finished 9–0 overall, and were Pacific Coast Conference Champions with a 6–0 record.[1] In nine games, UCLA outscored their opponents, 367 to 40.
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The Bruins were not eligible to play in the Rose Bowl vs. Ohio State (ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll) because of the PCC's "no repeat" rule, in effect for most of the decade, after California lost a third straight Rose Bowl in January 1951. Since UCLA had played in the 1954 Rose Bowl, they were excluded from the 1955 event. The game likely would have made for a de facto national championship game, but thus, rival USC (whom the Bruins soundly defeated 34–0) went instead, and lost 20–7 to Ohio State. Following the outcome, UCLA and Ohio State split the national championship.
UCLA was selected national champion by NCAA-designated major selectors of Dunkel, Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Litkenhous, National Championship Foundation, and United Press International (Coaches Poll), and co-champion by both Football Research and Helms.[2]: 113 This consensus national championship is claimed by the school.[2]: 120 [3] Ohio State was selected national champion by the AP Poll among other selectors.
Comparing the games against two common opponents, UCLA defeated California and USC by larger margins than Ohio State and the coaches of those schools both stated that they felt UCLA was better
During the season, the Bruins debuted their powder blue uniforms, referred to as "powder-keg blue" by head coach Sanders, that featured two white stripes around the shoulders.[4] The white uniforms with blue stripes were used the previous season during the game against USC but this was the earliest known instance of the stripes becoming a regular part of the UCLA uniform.[5][6]
San Diego Navy
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San Diego Navy at UCLA
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| San Diego Navy |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
| • Bruins |
13 |
27 | 7 | 20 |
67 |
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|
| Scoring summary |
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| | 1 | 3:40 | UCLA | Primo Villanueva 3-yard run | UCLA 6–0 |
| | 1 | 6:53 | UCLA | Primo Villanueva 9-yard run (Doug Bradley Kick) | UCLA 13–0 |
| | 2 | 4:48 | UCLA | Bruce Ballard 20-yard run (Sam Brown Kick) | UCLA 20–0 |
| | 2 | 8:45 | UCLA | Sam Brown 2-yard run (Sam Brown Kick) | UCLA 27–0 |
| | 2 | 11:36 | UCLA | Primo Villanueva 11-yard run (Doug Bradley Kick) | UCLA 34–0 |
| | 2 | 13:19 | UCLA | Bob Davenport 9-yard run | UCLA 40–0 |
| | 3 | 5:21 | UCLA | Bob Davenport 1-yard run (Doug Bradley Kick) | UCLA 47–0 |
| | 4 | 0:04 | UCLA | Gerry McDougal 1-yard run | UCLA 54–0 |
| | 4 | 4:15 | UCLA | Ronnie Loudd 4-yard pass from Gerry McDougal (Doug Bradley Kick) | UCLA 61–0 |
| | 4 | 7:10 | UCLA | Doug Peters 2-yard run | UCLA 67–0 |
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The Bruins had originally scheduled Santa Clara to open their season but after the Broncos suspended football, the San Diego Naval Training Center was scheduled as a replacement. Although the San Diego NTC featured players such as All-American Bucky Curtis from Vanderbilt and All-PCC Earl Stelle from Oregon, UCLA was favored three touchdowns.[17]
Primo Villanueva scored the first two touchdowns of the game and the Bruins led 13–0 within 7 minutes. Bruce Ballard, Sam Brown, Villaneuva, and Bob Davenport would each score another running touchdown giving the Bruins a 40–0 halftime lead. Davenport, Gerry McDougall, and Doug Peters would each score three more running touchdowns and Ronnie Loudd would score a passing touchdown from Gerry McDougal to give UCLA a punishing 67–0 victory.[18][19]
Kansas
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UCLA at Kansas
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Bruins |
18 |
0 | 0 | 14 |
32 |
| Jayhawks |
0 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
7 |
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| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | 4:27 | UCLA | Bob Davenport 1-yard run | UCLA 6–0 |
| | 1 | 8:45 | UCLA | Jim Decker 18-yard run | UCLA 12–0 |
| | 1 | 13:19 | UCLA | Doug Bradley 3-yard run | UCLA 18–0 |
| | 2 | 13:36 | KU | Ralph Moody 82-yard punt return (Reich Kick) | UCLA 18–7 |
| | 4 | 3:31 | UCLA | Jack Ellena 50-yard punt return (Doug Bradley Kick) | UCLA 25–7 |
| | 4 | 14:08 | UCLA | Gerry McDougall 9-yard run (Sam Brown Kick) | UCLA 32–7 |
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The Bruins scored three consecutive touchdowns in the first quarter. Kansas player Ralph Moody scored the first Kansas touchdown on an 82-yard punt return. Jack Ellena would score on a 50-yard punt return in the fourth quarter. A 73-yard run by reserve fullback Don Shinnick down to the 9-yard line would set up Gerry McDougall for UCLA's final score of the day.[20][8][21][22]
Maryland
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Maryland at UCLA
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Terrapins |
0 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
7 |
| • Bruins |
6 |
0 | 0 | 6 |
12 |
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| Scoring summary |
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| | 1 | 7:42 | UCLA | Bob Davenport 3-yard run | UCLA 6–0 |
| | 4 | 0:38 | Maryland | Dare 11-yard pass from Boxold (Bielski Kick) | Maryland 7–6 |
| | 4 | 8:24 | UCLA | Bob Davenport 1-yard run | UCLA 12–7 |
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Maryland were the 1953 national champions. Bob Davenport gained 89 yard on 23 carries and scored both of UCLA's touchdowns. Maryland's Howard Dare scored a touchdown on a pass from Charley Boxold to give the Terrapins the lead early in the fourth quarter. Davenport scored the go ahead touchdown in the middle of the fourth quarter to give the Bruins the victory.[23][24]
Washington
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UCLA at Washington
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Bruins |
7 |
0 | 14 | 0 |
21 |
| Huskies |
0 |
0 | 7 | 13 |
20 |
- Date: October 9, 1954
- Location: Husky Stadium
Seattle, WA - Game start: 2:00 p.m. PST
- Game attendance: 35,700
- Game weather: Weather: Warm-Overcast
- Referee: Jack L. Sprenger, Melvin W. Nicherson, Ted T. Fehring, Albert A. Bodner, Rudolph E. Hansen, Fred L. Gali
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| Scoring summary |
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| | 1 | 6:13 | UCLA | Bob Davenport 6-yard run (Johnny Hermann Kick) | UCLA 7–0 |
| | 3 | 2:43 | UCLA | Bob Davenport 16-yard run (Johnny Hermann Kick) | UCLA 14–0 |
| | 3 | 6:06 | UCLA | Primo Villanueva 2-yard run (Bradley Kick) | UCLA 21–0 |
| | 3 | 9:43 | WASH | Dean Derby 33-yard pass from Bob Cox | UCLA 21–7 |
| | 4 | 3:14 | WASH | Corky Lewis 5-yard pass from Bob Cox | UCLA 21–13 |
| | 4 | 12:34 | WASH | Bud Green 9-yard pass from Bob Cox | UCLA 21–20 |
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Bob Davenport scored two rushing touchdowns, Primo Villanueva scored one rushing touchdown, and Johnny Herman converted all three extra points to give UCLA a 21–0 led midway through the third quarter. After Bruins Coach Sanders replaced his starters with his second and third string players, Washington quarterback Bob Cox threw a passing touchdown to Dean Derby and Bob Dunn converted the extra point to reduce UCLA's lead to 21–7 at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Sam Brown fumbled which allowed Washington to recover at the UCLA 25. Cox threw another touchdown, this time to Corky Lewis but Dunn missed the extra point kick. Brown fumbled again for a 13-yard loss and Washington scored another passing touchdown on a 56-yard drive. Dunn's extra point reduced the UCLA lead to 21–20 with 2:30 minutes left. The Bruins would hold out to win the game.[25]
Stanford
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Stanford at UCLA
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Indians |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
| • Bruins |
13 |
14 | 21 | 24 |
72 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | 4:08 | UCLA | Bob Davenport 27-yard run (Johnny Hermann Kick) | UCLA 7–0 |
| | 1 | 14:25 | UCLA | Jim Decker 64-yard run | UCLA 13–0 |
| | 2 | 7:36 | UCLA | Villanueva 11-yard run (S. Brown Kick) | UCLA 20–0 |
| | 2 | 13:28 | UCLA | Villanueva 5-yard run (S. Brown Kick) | UCLA 27–0 |
| | 3 | 0:30 | UCLA | Rommie Loudd 27-yard pass from Villanueva (Johnny Hermann PAT) | UCLA 34–0 |
| | 3 | 8:33 | UCLA | Bob Heydenfeldt Blocked Punt (Bradley Kick) | UCLA 41–0 |
| | 3 | 10:33 | UCLA | Doug Bradley 4-yard run (Bradley Kick) | UCLA 48–0 |
| | 4 | 1:34 | UCLA | Sam Brown 33-yard punt return | UCLA 54–0 |
| | 4 | 6:54 | UCLA | McDougall 6-yard run | UCLA 60–0 |
| | 4 | 12:32 | UCLA | Sam Brown 82-yard punt return | UCLA 66–0 |
| | 4 | | UCLA | Bob Davenport 64-yard pass interception return | UCLA 72–0 |
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The Bruin defense intercepted Stanford quarterbacks Jerry Gustafson and John Neff eight times and returned them for 210 total yards. Sam Brown set a new conference record for punt returns with 132 yards in three returns. Villanueva, Davenport and Brown each scored twice while Decker, Loudd, Heydenfeldt and McDougall scored once each for a total of 10 touchdowns.[26]
Oregon State
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UCLA at Oregon State
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Bruins |
13 |
20 | 14 | 14 |
61 |
| Beavers |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | 2:27 | UCLA | Bob Davenport 1-yard run (Johnny Hermann Kick) | UCLA 7–0 |
| | 1 | 13:52 | UCLA | Johnny Hermann 18-yard pass from Bradley | UCLA 13–0 |
| | 2 | 6:35 | UCLA | Primo Villanueva 2-yard run (Johnny Hermann Kick) | UCLA 20–0 |
| | 2 | 8:36 | UCLA | Sam Brown 62-yard punt return (Sam Brown Kick) | UCLA 27–0 |
| | 2 | 10:26 | UCLA | Doug Peters 21-yard run | UCLA 33–0 |
| | 3 | 6:00 | UCLA | Don Shinnick 1-yard run (McDougal Kick) | UCLA 40–0 |
| | 3 | 12:35 | UCLA | Russ Hampton 8-yard pass from McDougal (Bradley Kick) | UCLA 47–0 |
| | 4 | 4:30 | UCLA | Sam Brown 62-yard punt return | UCLA 54–0 |
| | 4 | 11:00 | UCLA | Clarence Norris 21-yard blocked kick (Sam Brown Kick) | UCLA 61–0 |
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Sam Brown scored two touchdowns and Bob Davenport, Johnny Hermann, Primo Villanueva, Doug Peters, Don Shinnick, Russ Hampton, and Clarence Norris each scored a touchdown to give UCLA the 61–0 victory over Oregon State. The Bruins rushed for 498 yards and 593 total yards while holding Oregon State to 88 rushing yards and 111 total yards.[27]
California
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UCLA at California
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Bruins |
7 |
7 | 0 | 13 |
27 |
| Golden Bears |
0 |
6 | 0 | 0 |
6 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | 5:17 | UCLA | Primo Villanueva 3-yard run (Johnny Hermann Kick) | UCLA 7–0 |
| | 2 | 0:47 | UCLA | Primo Villanueva 26-yard run (Sam Brown Kick) | UCLA 14–0 |
| | 2 | 12:07 | CAL | Williams 7-yard run | UCLA 14–6 |
| | 4 | 0:05 | UCLA | Bob Davenport 1-yard run (Johnny Hermann Kick) | UCLA 21–6 |
| | 4 | 6:32 | UCLA | Johnny Hermarnn 8-yard pass from Primo Villanueva | UCLA 27–6 |
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Primo Villanueva rushed for two touchdowns in the first half and threw a touchdown pass to Johnny Hermann in the fourth. Cal's Paul Larson set new Bears record for passes (38), pass completions (25), and pass yards (280) and Williams scored the Bears' lone touchdown on a 7-yard run.[28]
Oregon
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Oregon at UCLA
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Webfoots |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
| • Bruins |
7 |
14 | 6 | 14 |
41 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | 6:16 | UCLA | Rommie Loudd 16-yard pass from Primo Villanueva (Johnny Hermann Kick) | UCLA 7–0 |
| | 2 | 1:25 | UCLA | Bob Davenport 4-yard run (Johnny Hermann Kick) | UCLA 14–0 |
| | 2 | 13:10 | UCLA | Jim Decker 91-yard run (Johnny Hermann Kick) | UCLA 21–0 |
| | 3 | 5:32 | UCLA | Rommie Loudd recovered blocked kick | UCLA 27–0 |
| | 4 | 5:58 | UCLA | Doug Bradley 1-yard run(Johnny Hermann Kick) | UCLA 34–0 |
| | 4 | 14:06 | UCLA | Sam Brown 5-yard run (Sam Brown Kick) | UCLA 41–0 |
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With the victory, UCLA set a new single scoring record of 333 points, surpassing the previous record of 327 points in just 8 games. Rommie Loudd scored the first points of the game on a 16-yard pass from Primo Villanueva. Bob Davenport, Jim Decker, Doug Bradley, Sam Brown, and Rommie Loudd each scored rushing touchdowns. Oregon only moved passed the 50 yard line two and the UCLA defense limited George Shaw, the country's leading passer with 178 yard per game, to only 29 yards.[29]
USC
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USC at UCLA
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Trojans |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
| • Bruins |
7 |
0 | 0 | 27 |
34 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | 6:48 | UCLA | Bob Heydenfeldt 48-yard pass from Primo Villanueva (Johnny Herman Kick) | UCLA 6–0 |
| | 4 | 0:44 | UCLA | Bob Davenport 1-yard plunge (Johnny Herman Kick) | UCLA 14–0 |
| | 4 | 2:13 | UCLA | Terry Debay 12-yard pass from Villanueva (Johnny Herman Kick) | UCLA 21–0 |
| | 4 | 6:00 | UCLA | Rommie Loudd 7-yard pass from Bradley (Johnny Herman Kick) | UCLA 28–0 |
| | 4 | 14:13 | UCLA | Bruce Ballard 48-yard pass from Brown (Johnny Herman Kick) | UCLA 34–0 |
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A 48-yard pass from Primo Villanueva to Bob Heydenfeldt gave UCLA a 7–0 first quarter lead. The Bruins poured on with four touchdowns in the fourth quarter: Bob Davenport scored from the one-yard line, Villanueva passed to Terry Debay for a 12-yard touchdown, Rommie Loudd caught a pass from Doug Bradley for an 8-yard touchdown, and Sam Brown passed to Bruce Ballard for a 17-yard touchdown. USC had only 5 yards rushing.[30]