1953 UCLA Bruins football team
1953 UCLA Bruins football
The UCLA Bruins, led by fifth-year head coach Red Sanders, played in the Pacific Coast Conference and used a single-wing offense. Home games were at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
They finished the regular season 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the PCC, winning the conference title—the first of three straight PCC championships. UCLA earned a Rose Bowl bid and finished the season 8-2 after losing to Michigan State 28-20 in the Rose Bowl. The Bruins were ranked No. 4 in the Coaches Poll and No. 5 in the AP Poll before the bowl games.
In the Rose Bowl, Michigan State fumbled twice in the first half, letting UCLA score early. The Spartans pulled ahead in the third quarter, UCLA tied the game at 21-20 after recovering a Spartan fumble, but the extra point failed. A late 62-yard punt return for a touchdown by Billy Wells sealed Michigan State’s 28-20 win. This was UCLA’s third bowl appearance.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 10:59 (CET).