Led by fifth-year head coach Red Sanders, the Bruins played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The team completed the regular season with an 8–1 record (6–1 in PCC, first) for the first of three consecutive conference titles.
UCLA played in the Rose Bowl but was defeated 28–20 by eighth-ranked Michigan State and finished at 8–2.
[1] Conference opponent not played this season: Idaho By winning this game, the Bruins were the PCC Champions and received the Rose Bowl bid.
Billy Wells of Michigan State returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown with 4:51 left in the game.