UCLA football: Strange 2005 season ends with strange game in Sun Bowl

UCLA running back Chris Markey carries the ball 51 yards to set up a late game-tying touchdown during the Bruins' 50-38 win over Northwestern in the 2005 Sun Bowl.

By Chris Foster

Dec. 28, 2013 5:08 PM PT

Weird is the only way to describe UCLA’s Sun Bowl visit in 2005.

Extremely weird. But it was that kind of season. UCLA allowed 410 points, the most in school history, and won 10 games. It was fitting for it to end this way.

-- Northwestern jumped to a 22-0 lead. And the Bruins won, 50-38.

-- Quarterback Drew Olson, who had only three passes intercepted all season, had two picked off and returned for touchdowns in the first quarter.

-- Maurice Jones-Drew injured his shoulder and had only 14 yards rushing and the Bruins still won, gaining 310 yards on the ground.

-- Brandon Breazell returned two kickoffs for touchdowns . . . two onside kickoffs.

Weirder still was that Breazell wasn’t named the game’s most valuable player.

Sure, Chris Markey gained 161 yards rushing and Kahlil Bell 136 and were named Co-MVPs. But it was Breazell who held off the Wildcats.

Northwestern scored to pull within five, 36-31, with 2 minutes 29 seconds left. Breazell scooped up the onside kick and scooted 42 yards for the score. Northwestern scored again with 24 seconds left. Breazell scooped up another kick and went 45 yards for a touchdown.

All it got him was the John H. Folmer Trophy, given to the game’s most valuable special teams player.

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