Omaha Exploration

My name is Patrick, join me as I explore Omaha and the surrounding area. With an emphasis on the origin stories of the places that define this city, I also cover new developments, attractions, events and whatever else catches my eye.

History of Nebraska Football against UCLA and the 1946 Season

After nearly pulling off a historic upset against Ohio State last week, Nebraska returns to friendly confines of Memorial Stadium to play the UCLA Bruins. With a record of 5-3, the Cornhuskers find themselves one win shy of its first bowl game since 2016. UCLA, meanwhile, has a record of 2-5 The two teams first…

Patrick Wyman
2–3 minutes
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After nearly pulling off a historic upset against Ohio State last week, Nebraska returns to friendly confines of Memorial Stadium to play the UCLA Bruins. With a record of 5-3, the Cornhuskers find themselves one win shy of its first bowl game since 2016. UCLA, meanwhile, has a record of 2-5

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum where the game between Nebraska and UCLA in 1946.

The two teams first played each other in Los Angeles in 1946. Nebraska went into the season with its fifth head coach in six seasons. Bernie Masterson found himself at the helm following a 4-5 season under George Clark. Bernie played football for the Huskers from 1931-1933 before going to the NFL to play for the Chicago Bears from 1934-1940. His only other coaching experience was a 2-4-1 record at Saint Mary’s Pre-Flight representing the United States Navy.

1946 Nebraska Head Coach Bernie Masterson.

The game against UCLA was the last of the season for a Nebraska team that had a 3-5 record. Its wins that season came against Kansas State, Kansas and Iowa State while it lost to Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri and Oklahoma. The Bruins meanwhile came into the game undefeated after posting a 5-4 record the previous season.

Nebraska defensive tackle Carl Samuelson. Courtesy of Islander Football.

During the game, Nebraska made several key defensive plays to slow the Bruins offensive machine but found it impossible to generate any offense. The Huskers were shutout 18-0 by a team that went on to play Illinois in its second ever Rose Bowl.

One of Nebraska’s standouts that season was defensive tackle Carl Samuelson who was selected in the 10th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1947 NFL draft. Carl was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

Football ticket for the 1946 Nebraska and UCLA game.

Nebraska would get another shot at the Bruins in 1948 only to lose again. Their first win against UCLA came under Tom Osborne during the 1973 season. The two teams have played 13 times with Nebraska leading the series 7-6. Nebraska won 37-29 in the last meeting in 2015.

Please feel free to comment to share your thoughts and predictions for the game.

Until next time, keep exploring!

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