1998 Season Football Games

The Rose Bowl

January 1, 1999

UCLA Bruins vs. Wisconsin Badgers

31                38

 As the national anthem was played before kickoff, I got emotional realizing this would be my last UCLA game in the Rose Bowl.  The stadium was filled with 93,872 fans, but not the 70,000 Wisconsin fans that showed up in 1994.  In fact, many Wisconsin ticket holders could be seen scalping tickets before the game for $20-40 (Face value was $115.)  The Badgers still outnumbered Bruin fans, filling about 60% of the stadium.  After the loss to Miami in the last game of the regular season, many looked at this game as merely a "consolation prize."  After the Bruins took the opening kickoff, McNown threw on five of their first seven plays, completing all five.  Two holding penalties killed that drive.   The UCLA defense couldn't handle Wisconsin's Ron Dayne who rushed for 246 yards and four touchdowns on the day.   After falling behind 14-7, UCLA scored with a pass thrown by flanker Freddie Mitchell off a reverse.  This was Mitchell's first game back after suffering a broken leg in the second game of the season.  McNown dropped back, seemed to nonchalantly flip the ball to Mitchell coming around him, and Mitchell found Durrell Price open behind the Wisconsin defense for a 61-yard scoring play.  The Badgers held a lead for much of the game.  Late in the match, the Bruins faked a punt with Chris Sailer throwing a pass which was caught, but short of the first down.  After a McNown interception and a game-ending sack, the Badgers were awarded the 1999 Rose Bowl trophy.    

  McNown was pressured all day long by Wisconsin.  Kansas State's Michael Bishop and Syracuse's Donovan McNabb had a lot of trouble in their respective bowl games this weekend.  Yet, when it came down to a big bowl game for UCLA, McNown still did his job.  Cade completed 19 of 34 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns. A combination of offensive holding penalties and a struggling defense doomed UCLA from the beginning.  McNown's costly interception in the fourth quarter sealed the fate.  

11/5 - at Miami

        45                  49

 Miami yet again ended a substantial winning streak and a team's national championship hopes.  Yet, this Miami team got A LOT of help this time. The Bruin "defense" (note the quotes) and an official cost the Bruins a trip to the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe.  I've been disappointed most of this season with the effort this defense has given. It's been nothing short of PATHETIC.  Time and time again the offense has answered the call and gotten the win.  How long can that go on for?  Well, we found out today. Coach Bob Toledo publically criticized Nick Allioti's defense a few months ago.  Allioti seemed surprised by the criticism, pointing to the fact that he had a young squad and that it was only his first year here.  Yes, the defense is very young and yes it takes time for players to adjust to new defensive schemes, but if you leave a receiver on his own without any coverage at the line of scrimmage, then there are some BIG problems.  High school coaches get fired for things like that.  

Despite the pathetic effort by the defense, the offense would come back time and again. McNown had the greatest game of his storied career at UCLA.  Farmer was his usual brilliant and workman-like self.  Cade was absolutely on fire.  He was near perfection.....no, he was perfect.  Every time the defense would give up another touchdown to Miami, Cade would come back over and over again and get another touchdown on the board for UCLA.  He did over and over and over again today. Finally, an official decided it was his duty to decide not only the game but who would be going to Tempe.  After a Brad Melsby reception, a fumble was called.  Forget the instant replay, all of us who were watching the game didn't even flinch thinking it was a fumble.  The ball was sitting right in front of Melsby's face and he didn't even feel the need to grab it either, because he knew it wasn't a fumble.  Yet, all of a sudden an official was calling a fumble.  The instant replay showed clearly this was a WRONG call.  Here is what CNN/Sports Illustrated says about it:  "UCLA was driving one more time when controversy struck.  McNown threw a pass to Melsby at the Miami 26 and Melsby dropped the ball after his knees hit the ground. But the officials ruled the play a fumble."  Oh well, such is the game of football.  

The Rose Bowl lies ahead where UCLA will meet the Wisconsin Badgers.  The UCLA defense doesn't deserve to play in this game.  They will of course play and just might cost us that game too.  

In other game news:  Kansas St., who has been trying to catch up on the Bruins for a  chance at the Fiesta Bowl finally played a real opponent (someone other than the "Sisters of Charity").  Of course, they lost.  Sorry folks, I'm going to say it as it is: The coaches' poll and the AP poll have been way off track all season. Kansas St. had the 62nd toughest schedule (yes, that means they play WEAK opponents all year).  Everyone still gave them the respect an undefeated team gets.  Everyone still talked about their winning streak.  Meanwhile, UCLA with the 7th toughest schedule (you heard that right) won 20 games in a row.  Sorry Kansas St., you can't take that streak away from us.  Kansas St. loses to Texas A&M with only a 19 game win streak.  

Cade played the best game of his career at UCLA.  I've watched this guy carefully for four years now, and I was absolutely in AWE of his performance today...it actually put a lump in my throat.  He completed 26 of 35 passes for a career high and UCLA record 513 yards!!!  He threw no interceptions.  He also accounted for 5 touchdowns.  Cade even led the Bruins to 24 straight points in a span of just under 15 minutes.  Cade, you are AWESOME.  Thank you for the memories and good luck in the Rose Bowl.  The defense is actually going to get mentioned in this game's "The Cade Factor." When your quarterback shatters the school record and throws for 513 yards and 5 touchdowns, you, the defense, ought to be ashamed of yourselves.  

11/21 - vs. u$c

         34                17

8 more years!  8 more years!  8 more years!

11/14 - at Washington

       36                  24

 The defense looked a little bit better as UCLA beat Washington in the tough Husky Stadium.  The victory clinched the Pac-10 title for the Bruins for the second year in a row and guaranteed a Rose Bowl invitation on New Year's Day.    The first half began with the Bruins driving 65 yards in nine plays, capped by a 2-yard TD run by Jermaine Lewis. The Husky crowd, known for being one of the loudest in the Pac-10, were "Roqued" to silence with an awesome 77-yard punt return by Ryan Roques.  You have to see this return on T.V. to even understand how amazing it was. Chris Sailer took care of the rest with field goals of 27, 25, 25, 47 and 29 yards.  The offensive line also deserves credit for shutting down the the No. 1 sack unit in the nation.  Roques also had an 81-yard kickoff return that almost went all the way.  This is the longest Bruin kickoff return since 1980.  His punt return is the longest since 1995.  The score was 36-17 late in the fourth quarter, before the Huskies got a meaningless 6-yard scoring pass with 45 seconds remaining.     

Cade did his job as usual and led this team to their 19th straight victory!  Simply amazing.  He was 12-for-24 for 233 yards.  His 61-yard bomb to Danny Framer set up Sailer's second 25-yard field goal in the third quarter.    

11/7 - at Oregon State

       41                  34

This game marked another tough win for the Bruins.  This team just needs to find a defense badly.  The offense has carried this team game after game, and who knows how long that can last.  BUT, on the day that No.1 Ohio State lost to an unranked team, UCLA came away with what mattered....a WIN.  The media and the coaches all rallied around an Ohio State as the No.1 team in the nation, yet they couldn't pull out a win.  UCLA knows how to win.   The Beavers were all over UCLA and especially made a mark with special teams.   Not only was a Sailer field goal attempt blocked, but the Beavers managed great field position most of the evening. Oregon St. returner Tim Alexander had kickoff returns of 55, 46, and 44 yards.   A penalty against the Bruins on the 44-yard return brought the ball to the UCLA 45. The game came down to the wire.  With 1:17 to play, Sailer kicked a 30-yard field goal to put UCLA ahead 34-31.   But Oregon State tied it 34-all with 31 seconds left on a 28-yard field goal by Jose Cortez.  Cortez's kickoff later went out of bounds at UCLA's 41.   Most of us were thinking overtime, some of us were thinking a field goal if we could get into range.  Then McNown walked on the field. Brad Melsby got wide open and McNown spotted him for a 61-yard touchdown with 21 seconds left!

Retire his jersey, retire his shoes, retire his socks, retire everything he owns.  I believe in team, McNown believes in team, but there is only one reason this team has 18 straight victories....and his name is Cade McNown.  McNown was 23-of-37 for 377 yards and 4 touchdowns, but that doesn't even say it all.  He rushed for 30-yards on a key gain and even caught a pass from Lewis for a 22-yard gain! Yeah, you heard that right.  McNown's TD passes came on a 28-yarder to Ryan Neufeld, a 7-yarder to Farmer, a 43-yard pass to Farmer, and that amazing 61-yard bomb with 21 seconds left.  When the guy steps on the field, you just know the ball is in the right hands.  I haven't seen an athlete and competitor like this in a long time.   

10/31 - vs. Stanford

       28                  24

This game was supposed to be an easy win for the undefeated Bruins over the struggling Stanford Cardinal (1-6), but that wasn't to be the case.  Stanford shocked the Bruins and the homecoming crowd of 64,820.  The Bruin secondary defense was in complete disarray. The play of the defensive backfield was just totally incomprehensible, and it cost the Bruins big time.  The Bruins, primarily the secondary, allowed the Stanford to convert 11 of 18 third downs.  Then there were the penalties. The officials didn't let the two teams play all night.  There were a total of 24 penalties in the game.  Flags were flying all night long.  UCLA suffered the most with 12 penalties totaling 125 yards.  A holding call nullified a McNown-to-Danny Farmer touchdown pass.    

"We have a target on our back and everyone is giving us their best shot," said UCLA coach Bob Toledo. "This was the worst we played all year, but the fact that we still won says something. You have to give credit to Stanford. Offensively, they gave us fits."

Jermaine Lewis, reinstated as the starting tailback this week, lasted only until the sixth offensive play for the Bruins before limping off with a bruised right calf, finishing him for the duration.  Keith Brown took over and rushed for 93 yards on 15 carries.  Deshaun Foster also helped out with 51 yards on 9 carries.  Danny Farmer rushed for 32 yards on a reverse play.  

"When we came down here, we expected to win," said Stanford wide receiver Troy Walters. "We thought they might have their eyes on the future."   Well the Bruins definitely had their eyes on something else.  Stanford didn't trail until UCLA freshman DeShaun Foster scored on an 8-yard run with 8:05 remaining to account for the game's final points.   The Cardinal, a 28 1/2-point underdog, threatened to take the lead twice after that, but came up empty thanks to a forced fumble near the goal line after a reception, and a sack which ended the last Stanford drive and the game.

McNown once again did what was needed to get a Bruin win...the 17th in a row. Cade led the comeback drives in the fourth quarter with the Bruins down 24-14. McNown went 19 of 31 to pass for 254 yards and one touchdown.  Cade now ranks fourth in Pac-10 history with 9,099 yards.    

10/24 - at Cal

       28                  16

Cal's defense, top-ranked in the Pac-10, tried to stop the UCLA offense by blitzing on nearly every play and putting constant hits on McNown.  McNown still managed to throw for two touchdowns and he fought off pressure with some key runs.  In the end McNown had an amazing 57 yards rushing.  Cal defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich said of McNown, "We tried to beat him up but he out-executed us really."     

10/17 - vs. Oregon

          41                  38

Drama once again came to Pasadena as the No.2 Bruins faced the No.11 Oregon Ducks in a big Pac-10 match-up.  The end result was an emotional 41-38 overtime victory.  Standing in the glare of the national championship race and with a feisty and underrated Oregon still in their face after four brutal quarters, the Bruins simply refused to blink.  By the time Bruins kicker Chris Sailer finally clinched the victory with a 24-yard overtime field goal UCLA had survived a wild ride to remain the Pac-10's only undefeated team at 5-0 overall, 3-0 in conference play, the nation's longest winning streak extended to 15 games.

Like any great roller coaster, Saturday's wild ride left Bruins quarterback Cade McNown sick to his stomach and a Rose Bowl crowd of 75,367 and a half-dozen Fiesta Bowl suits weak in the knees. But at the end of the ride the Bruins were still on course for a spot in the national championship-deciding Fiesta Bowl Jan. 4 and McNown very much in the Heisman Trophy race.

Just give him the Heisman now and get it over with.  McNown was ill before the game but never even thought about not playing.  Cade completed 20 of 36 passes for an amazing 395 yards and 3TDs.  He also ran 25 yards on a key third-and-five play in the third quarter.  After that play Cade started vomiting at the line of scrimmage because of his illness.  Amazingly, Cade returned to the game and passed for 202 yards after that!  His 395 total yards was a season-high for him and also the fourth-best passing game in school history. Several dropped bombs would have given him even better numbers.  On the afternoon, he had five completions of at least 40 yards. His 51-yard scoring pass to DeShaun Foster opened the scoring and his 60-yard strike to Danny Farmer with 2:36 remaining in regulation gave the Bruins a 38-31 lead. After Oregon tied the game with 22 seconds remaining, McNown hit backup quarterback Drew Bennett on a 53-yard pass to put the Bruins in position for a game-winning 21-yard field goal. The Bruins did not take advantage but won the game with a field goal in the first overtime period. This game also marked the breaking of UCLA's career touchdown mark held by Tom Ramsey who had 50.  McNown brought his total to 53.  He is also fifth in the Pac-10 in career passing yards with 8,663, just one yard shy of former Arizona State quarterback Jake Plummer.   McNown now owns four of the top eight passing days in school history and is the only Bruin to pass for more than 355 yards in a game more than once (he has done it four times). He is also the only Bruin in school history to account for at least 360 yards total offense in a game more than once (he has done it five times). He has also passed for at least 300 yards eight times, another school record.      

10/10 - at Arizona

          52                  28

With Jermaine Lewis suspended, DeShaun Foster and Keith Brown each rushed for a pair of touchdowns and the Bruins erupted in the second half to beat No. 10 Arizona 52-28 in a Pac-10 showdown.  The win marked UCLA's 14th in a row, the longest winning streak in Division I after Nebraska's 19-game streak was ended by Texas A&M earlier in the day.  Foster, who rushed for 118 yards in 20 carries, had scoring runs of 37 and 1 yards in the first half and Brown, with 91 yards in just nine carries, scored on runs of 54 and 20 in the fourth quarter.

Cade threw for two touchdowns and rushed for one as well.  His statistics weren't great - 10 of 24 passes for 171 yards. But he was as good as he needed to be.  The game-breaking touchdown came early in the fourth quarter when McNown executed a perfect play fake, then hit wide-open Farmer over the middle on a 64-yard scoring play that put UCLA up 38-28 with 11:18 to play. It was McNown's 50th career touchdown pass, tying Tom Ramsey's school record.  "Cade didn't hit some passes early but he makes big plays. He's a winner," Toledo said. "I think that has something to do with winning the Heisman, too. You've got to make big plays in a big game."

10/3 - vs. Washington State

         49                    17

  The No. 4 Bruins rolled over the Cougars 49-17 in their most consistent game of the season.  The win extended the consecutive victory record to 13!  Jermaine Lewis rushed for 94 yards in 15 carries and scored two touchdowns.  Keith Brown also rushed for two touchdowns of his own.  UCLA had great field position throughout the day thanks to the defense, which produced four turnovers, and the special teams, which blocked two punts.  As the L.A. times put it, "...it's safe to say the Washington State offense isn't the same now that Ryan Leaf is squabbling with reporters in San Diego."  Drew Bennett replaced McNown with nine minutes remaining.  67,210 fans were in attendance.  

Inside Scoop:  Coach Bob Toledo challenged the struggling defense by promising to defer the ball if UCLA won the toss.  The Bruins did win the flip and Toledo kept his word, letting the defense take the field first.  The unit responded, holding the Cougars scoreless through the first quarter and giving the Bruins good field position.  "I wanted to see what they were gonna do. They responded to the challenge really well," said Toledo.  

 McNown led UCLA to touchdowns on each of its first three possessions. On the day, McNown completed 14 of 27 passes for 205 yards, including a 51-yard pass to Danny Farmer and a seven-yard touchdown to Brian Poli-Dixon, and became the first Bruin to record over 8,000 career passing yards. Overall, he completed passes to six different receivers. He has now passed for at least 200 yards in 18 straight games, extending his own school record. Cade once again showed his amazing toughness and competitiveness with an awesome six-yard touchdown run in the first quarter...he hurdled a would-be tackler at the goal line, twisted in mid-air and came down on his back without even flinching.

9/26 - at Miami

              CANCELLED

See News page for more details.

9/19 - at Houston

          42                 24

 Billy Cockerham had two long first-quarter touchdown passes to lead the Minnesota Golden Gophers to a 14-7 victory on Saturday night over the Houston Cougars in a nonconference game played in a steady downpour.   Houston is playing its first full season at on-campus Robertson Stadium in a half-century and drew 17,540. Cockerham gave Minnesota (2-0) all points it needed with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Luke Leverson and 41-yard scoring play to Ron Johnson.  

Ketric Sanford struggled to get 71 yards and a touchdown in 28 carries for Houston (0-2) and lost two fumbles, including one at the Minnesota 45-yard line with 3:20 remaining in the game.  A last-ditch Houston drive ended with 32 seconds left when Jason McKinley's pass was intercepted.

Houston (0-2) has suffered a pair of close defeats. The Cougars were 14-10 losers to California in their opener and dropped their home starter last weekend, 14-7 to Minnesota. The schedule gets no easier as Houston visits Tennessee next weekend before starting the Conference USA season.

In search of some magic, the Cougars Saturday will induct 10 individuals into the school Hall of Fame, including Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon, Carl Lewis and Guy Lewis.

 The Bruins were able to come away with a 42-24 victory before 19,540.  Houston came on strong and controlled the scoreboard in the first quarter with a 6-0 lead. Freddie Mitchell, the explosive receiver-returner, was lost for the season after breaking his left leg in the first quarter.  Jermaine Lews tied a school record with four rushing touchdowns, part of his 63 yards in 16 carries.  The most disturbing aspect of the game was the officiating.  The Cougars spent much of the game delivering late hits and low blows, with nothing being called by the officials on the field.  Last week was a test and display of the team's ability.  This game was a great test of the Bruins' heart and endurance.  Result: Bruins pass big time.    

See the Articles page for more details.

 Cade McNown was chased and shoved after nearly every pass, but nothing was called.  McNown was crushed by a Cougar defensive lineman way after the play was whistled dead....and nothing was called.  Guess what?  It didn't work.  The cheap shots could not curtail McNown's game, and he led the Bruins down the field to a decisive victory. McNown literally carried the offense on his back and set-up the opportunities for Jermaine Lewis to tie the school-record in rushing touchdowns.  (Once again, unselfish play by Cade). Cade completed 17 of 32 passes for 315 yards. McNown's touchdown pass came on a 61-yard bomb to Brian-Poli Dixon.  He became the only player in school history to pass for over 300 yards in back-to-back games.          

9/12 - vs Texas    

           49               31

The big Heisman match-up between McNown and Williams is set for September 12th. Many experts have said that the player on the losing team will probably see his Heisman chances crumble.  
Texas will also be looking to avenge the humiliating loss that UCLA handed them last year in the 66-3 trouncing.   

Texas played their season-opener on September 5th.  Ricky Williams ran for 215 yards in 36 carries and a school-record six touchdowns and Mack Brown won his debut as coach at Texas in a 66-36 victory over New Mexico State.

Williams, who needs 75 yards to surpass Earl Campbell's school career rushing record of 4,443 yards, scored on runs of four, four, three, 13, four and seven yards as the Longhorns built a 31-3 lead at halftime.  

Williams broke his school record of five rushing touchdowns set last season in a 38-31 victory over Rice.  The Texas defense, which ranked 104th of 112 teams last season against the run with an average of 245 yards allowed, gave up 67 yards rushing and 142 overall in the decisive first half.  

Texas had 580 yards, with fifth-year senior Richard Walton completing 15 of 21 passes for 282 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.

The Bruins are looking for a school-record 11th straight win.  Go Bruins!

Stat of the day for Sept. 13, 1997: Texas had 24 first downs, UCLA 20........UCLA had the ball 28 minutes, Texas 32.  

Taking out the Texas Trash - Texas starts talking trash

 The Los Angeles Times headline reads: "A Texas Two-Stomp"....73,070 people were on hand to witness the Bruin victory over #23 Texas (school doesn't even start till Oct. 1).  This was the largest crowd in a Rose Bowl season opener.  History was made in front of our eyes, as the victory marked the 11th straight victory for UCLA....a school record!!  This was the big Heisman Trophy showdown that everyone was talking about.  The player on the losing team was predicted to see his Heisman hopes seriously injured.  Not only did the Bruins come away with the victory, but Cade McNown clearly won the face-off in performance.  Cade is a dead man?  NOT!  The only dead performance I saw on the field was that from Ricky Williams.  Williams was a non-factor and finally managed to score a few touchdowns towards the end of the game as a result of Bruin penalties and turnovers.  On the other hand, McNown was his usual self.

  McNown unselfishly led a 584 yard offensive attack against Texas.  He had 339 yards along with three touchdowns, on 20-of-30 passing.  Cade was 13-of-17 for 222 yards and two scores in the first half, making it 16 straight games in which he has passed for more than 200 yards. McNown set up the Bruins' first score with a scrambling 16-yard pass to Freddie Mitchell.  He set up the second with a perfect over-the-right shoulder pass to Danny Farmer covering 31 yards.  McNown saved the best for last with his scrambling throw off his back foot that went 45 yards in the air before landing in the hands of Mitchell, who sprinted the rest of the 79 yards. All this with the Bruins running the ball 11 more times than they passed it Saturday.          

   Click here for 1997 Season Football Games

1998 Football Season Schedule

Sept. 12  vs. Texas

Sept. 19 at Houston

Sept. 26 at Miami (cancelled)

Oct. 3 vs. Washington State

Oct. 10 at Arizona

Oct. 17 vs. Oregon

Oct. 24 at California

Oct. 31 vs. Stanford

Nov. 7 at Oregon State

Nov. 14 at Washington

Nov. 21 vs. u$c

Dec. 5 at Miami (rescheduled)

Come and cheer for the Bruins at the Rose Bowl!!!

(310) UCLA-WIN  for tickets