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UCLA Bruins Football Trivia Quiz

UCLA is known for its basketball success, but the Bruins have an excellent football tradition as well. This quiz will test all Bruin fans, from the casual to the die-hard.

A multiple-choice quiz by 81gaucho. Estimated time: 7 mins.

Author
81gaucho

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
149,573

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
20

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
10 / 20

Plays
459

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 20

1. What uniform number did Gary Beban wear? Hint

100

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Question 2 of 20

2. Although the school colors are officially navy blue and gold, the legendary Red Sanders switched the football jerseys to powder blue when he took over the head coaching reins in 1949. Why? Hint

He thought they showed up better on the game films

The manufacturer made a mistake and he decided to keep them

Powder blue was his wife's favorite color

Too many other teams had navy blue jerseys

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Question 3 of 20

3. Who was the first man to play for, and coach a UCLA Rose Bowl winner? Hint

Dick Vermeil

Terry Donahue

Tommy Prothro

Abraham Lincoln

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Question 4 of 20

4. What nickname was given to the undersized Bruin teams of the mid-1960s? Hint

The Westwood Wonders

The Mighty Mites

Gutty Little Bruins

The Ant Hill Mob

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Question 5 of 20

5. The Bruins increased in size and had a massive offensive line during the Pepper Rodgers wishbone years of the early 1970s. What was that line's nickname? Hint

The Blue Whales

The Big Bad Bunch

Massive Movers

The Huge Corporation

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Question 6 of 20

6. UCLA retired uniform #5 in honor of what player, who was a 3 time All-American, and 4 time All-Conference honoree? Hint

Jerry Robinson

Kenny Easley

Brooks Robinson

John Lee

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Question 7 of 20

7. What unusual item did coach Tommy Prothro have with him on the sideline of every game? Hint

A camera

A briefcase

Binoculars

An umbrella

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Question 8 of 20

8. Who caught a tipped pass and ran 50 yards for the winning touchdown, in a 20-17 win over USC in the 1980 game? Hint

Jojo Townsell

Cormac Carney

Jojo Starbuck

Freeman McNeil

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Question 9 of 20

9. In the 1982 USC game, the Trojans scored a touchdown on the game's final play to cut the Bruins' lead to 20-19. Who sacked USC QB Scott Tinsley on the subsequent 2 point conversion attempt, to preserve the win? Hint

Mister Rodgers

Irv Eatman

Karl Morgan

Don Rodgers

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Question 10 of 20

10. What Bruin player wore a black waist towel with a skull and crossbones, and went by the nickname "Doctor Death"? Hint

Kenny Easley

Blackbeard

Johnny Lynn

Oscar Edwards

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Question 11 of 20

11. In the 1972 season opener, the Bruins faced top ranked and two-time defending national champion Nebraska. Who kicked the winning field goal with 20 seconds left, to give UCLA a 20-17 upset victory? Hint

Brett White

Efren Herrera

O.K. Corrall

Frank Corrall

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Question 12 of 20

12. What state were both Red Sanders and Tommy Prothro from? Hint

Alabama

Tennessee

California

Euphoria

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Question 13 of 20

13. Just moments before the 1986 Rose Bowl, this backup found out that starting quarterback David Norrie could not play. He responded by leading the Bruins to a big win over Iowa. Who was it? Hint

Sonny Bono

Matt Stevens

Rick Neuheisel

Steve Bono

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Question 14 of 20

14. What player recovered a crucial onside kick in the 1965 USC game, and subsequent Rose Bowl victory over #1 Michigan State? Hint

Dick Witcher

Phil Donahue

Terry Donahue

Dallas Grider

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Question 15 of 20

15. In 1993, with the Rose Bowl on the line for both teams, what player intercepted USC QB Rob Johnson's pass in the end zone, in the last minute to preserve UCLA's 27-21 victory? Hint

Eric Turner

Arnold Pilsner

Arnold Ale

Marvin Goodwin

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Question 16 of 20

16. In a crucial 1983 game vs. Washington that eventually decided the Rose Bowl berth, what quarterback had an amazing 25 for 28 passing day for over 300 yards, to lead UCLA to victory? Hint

Steve Bono

Cher Bono

Rick Neuheisel

David Norrie

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Question 17 of 20

17. Where did Troy Aikman finish in the Heisman Trophy balloting after his senior season in 1988? Hint

2nd

3rd

123rd

He was not one of the 5 finalists

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Question 18 of 20

18. What year did UCLA move from the Coliseum, and begin playing its home games in the Rose Bowl? Hint

1980

1982

1976

1776

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Question 19 of 20

19. What did Norman Dow and John Barnes have in common? Hint

Both were nephews of former UCLA coach Pepper Rodgers

Both were backup QBs who beat USC in their only career start

Both kicked game winning field goals to beat Stanford

Both became CEOs (of Dow Chemical and Barnes & Noble respectively)

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Question 20 of 20

20. Who was the first UCLA quarterback to later start in a Super Bowl? Hint

Troy Aikman

Jay Silverheels

Jay Schroeder

Bill Kilmer

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What uniform number did Gary Beban wear?

Answer: 16

Beban won the Heisman Trophy in 1967.

2. Although the school colors are officially navy blue and gold, the legendary Red Sanders switched the football jerseys to powder blue when he took over the head coaching reins in 1949. Why?

Answer: He thought they showed up better on the game films

He also switched the numbers from block style to clarendon style for the same reason.

3. Who was the first man to play for, and coach a UCLA Rose Bowl winner?

Answer: Terry Donahue

Donahue was a defensive tackle on the squad that beat Michigan State in the 1966 Rose Bowl, and he was the head coach when the Bruins won the Rose Bowl in 1983, 1984, and 1986. Maybe someday Karl Dorrell can become the 2nd. I guess Lincoln would have been a good coach, but his stove pipe hat would have never fit under a helmet.

4. What nickname was given to the undersized Bruin teams of the mid-1960s?

Answer: Gutty Little Bruins

UCLA often overcame its lack of physical size with speed, determination, teamwork, and the trickery of coach Tommy Prothro.

5. The Bruins increased in size and had a massive offensive line during the Pepper Rodgers wishbone years of the early 1970s. What was that line's nickname?

Answer: The Huge Corporation

Basketball legend Bill Walton's older brother Bruce, was a member of that line.

6. UCLA retired uniform #5 in honor of what player, who was a 3 time All-American, and 4 time All-Conference honoree?

Answer: Kenny Easley

Easley was a star safety, who later made the Pro Bowl numerous times during his career with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. Through 2003, Jerry Robinson was UCLA's only other 3 time All-American.

7. What unusual item did coach Tommy Prothro have with him on the sideline of every game?

Answer: A briefcase

Nobody (except Tommy himself) knew what was in it. Some said game plans, some said scouting reports, and some said it had nothing at all.

8. Who caught a tipped pass and ran 50 yards for the winning touchdown, in a 20-17 win over USC in the 1980 game?

Answer: Freeman McNeil

Jay Schroeder's pass was tipped by Jeff Fisher (later the head coach of the NFL's Tennessee Titans), and landed in McNeil's hands. He then rambled down the sideline for the winning score. Jojo Starbuck was an ice skater who was later married to Terry Bradshaw.

Answer: Karl Morgan

The win eventually put the Bruins in the Rose Bowl (after losses by Washington and Arizona State), where they beat Michigan 24-14. About the same time Tinsley was sacking Morgan, Cal was scoring on the famous multiple lateral kickoff return to beat Stanford.

10. What Bruin player wore a black waist towel with a skull and crossbones, and went by the nickname "Doctor Death"?

Answer: Oscar Edwards

Edwards was an all-conference defensive back in the mid 1970s.

Answer: Efren Herrera

Herrera later enjoyed a productive NFL career, mostly with the Seattle Seahawks. This game also marked the debut of quarterback Mark Harmon.

12. What state were both Red Sanders and Tommy Prothro from?

Answer: Tennessee

After a controversial loss to Tennessee in 1965 that was marred by questionable officiating and an extra down for the Volunteers, Prothro said he was embarrassed to be a Tennesseean.

13. Just moments before the 1986 Rose Bowl, this backup found out that starting quarterback David Norrie could not play. He responded by leading the Bruins to a big win over Iowa. Who was it?

Answer: Matt Stevens

Stevens and Norrie actually shared the 1st string QB duties for the first few games of the season until Norrie won the job.

14. What player recovered a crucial onside kick in the 1965 USC game, and subsequent Rose Bowl victory over #1 Michigan State?

Answer: Dallas Grider

Grider recovered an onside kick late in the game against USC, after the Bruins had cut the Trojans' lead to 16-14. UCLA scored again to win 20-16. In the Rose Bowl, UCLA stunned the top ranked Spartans by taking an early 7-0 lead, and Grider recovered a surprise onside kick that led to another UCLA TD and a 14-0 lead. The Bruins held on to win, 14-12.

15. In 1993, with the Rose Bowl on the line for both teams, what player intercepted USC QB Rob Johnson's pass in the end zone, in the last minute to preserve UCLA's 27-21 victory?

Answer: Marvin Goodwin

UCLA took a 17-0 lead only to see USC come back to within 27-21. With under a minute to play, USC was on the UCLA 3 yard line. After 2 runs netted 1 yard, Goodwin made his clutch play. Arnold Ale (pronounced Ah-lay), was a UCLA linebacker while Arnold Pilsner didn't exist.

16. In a crucial 1983 game vs. Washington that eventually decided the Rose Bowl berth, what quarterback had an amazing 25 for 28 passing day for over 300 yards, to lead UCLA to victory?

Answer: Rick Neuheisel

At one point, Neuheisel completed 18 straight passes. Ironically, he later coached the Huskies.

17. Where did Troy Aikman finish in the Heisman Trophy balloting after his senior season in 1988?

Answer: 3rd

Barry Sanders (RB, Oklahoma State) won it, and Rodney Peete (QC, USC) was 2nd.

18. What year did UCLA move from the Coliseum, and begin playing its home games in the Rose Bowl?

Answer: 1982

The first year there, they won the Pac 10 title and the Rose Bowl.

19. What did Norman Dow and John Barnes have in common?

Answer: Both were backup QBs who beat USC in their only career start

In 1966, Dow subbed for the injured Gary Beban and led UCLA to a 14-7 win over USC. In 1992, Barnes rose from 4th string due to injuries, and led UCLA to a 38-37 win over the Trojans.

20. Who was the first UCLA quarterback to later start in a Super Bowl?

Answer: Bill Kilmer

Kilmer played for UCLA in the early 1960s, and for the Redskins in the 1973 Super Bowl vs. Miami. Aikman did it much later, and Schroeder only got as far as the AFC title game. Jay Silverheels played Tonto on the TV show "The Lone Ranger".

Source: Author 81gaucho

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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