What Is 1919 UCLA Bruins football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1919 UCLA Bruins football team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 1919 college football season, compiling a 2–2–1 record under head coach Fred Cozens in the program’s second year of existence.

Key Facts

The 1919 UCLA Bruins football team played its second season of existence, finishing with a 2–2–1 record
Head coach Fred Cozens led the team for the second consecutive year, maintaining an interim role
The Bruins played as an independent with no conference affiliation during the 1919 season
Home games were held at Moore Field, located on the campus of Los Angeles High School
UCLA did not field a team from 1915 to 1918 due to World War I, resuming play in 1919

Overview

The 1919 UCLA Bruins football team marked the program’s return after a four-year hiatus caused by World War I. This season was only the second in the history of UCLA football, following the team’s inaugural 1919 campaign after reactivation.

Under the leadership of head coach Fred Cozens, the Bruins competed as an independent team with no conference affiliation. The season reflected the early developmental stage of the program, with limited resources and a modest schedule.

Record of 2–2–1: The Bruins won two games, lost two, and tied one, reflecting a balanced but unspectacular performance across their five matchups.
Fred Cozens as head coach: Cozens served as UCLA’s first head football coach, leading the team in both 1919 and 1920 before retiring due to health concerns.
Independent status: The team played as an independent, scheduling regional opponents without the structure of a formal athletic conference.
Home field at Moore Field: UCLA hosted games at Moore Field, a high school facility located at 1500 Stadium Way in Los Angeles, used before the construction of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Post-WWI revival: The 1919 season marked UCLA’s return to intercollegiate football after suspending the program from 1915 to 1918 due to the war effort.

Season Structure and Game Results

The 1919 season featured a short, five-game schedule typical of early collegiate programs. The Bruins faced local California teams, emphasizing regional rivalries and logistical feasibility over national competition.

September 27, 1919: UCLA opened the season with a 28–0 win over Whittier College, showcasing strong offensive performance in their return to play.
October 4, 1919: The Bruins defeated Cal Poly Pomona (then known as the Cal Poly Broncos) 35–0, extending their early-season momentum.
October 11, 1919: UCLA suffered its first loss, 0–13, to the Occidental College Tigers, a more established Southern California program.
October 25, 1919: A scoreless tie against the University of California, Riverside (a precursor team or local club) demonstrated defensive resilience despite offensive struggles.
November 8, 1919: The season concluded with a 7–13 loss to St. Vincent’s College, a now-defunct Catholic institution in Los Angeles.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 1919 UCLA Bruins season to subsequent early years to illustrate program development:

Season	Record	Head Coach	Home Field	Conference
1919	2–2–1	Fred Cozens	Moore Field	Independent
1920	4–2–1	Fred Cozens	Moore Field	Independent
1921	2–4	Harold J. “Bill” Spaulding	Moore Field	Independent
1923	5–3	Spaulding	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	Independent
1928	7–2–1	William H. Spaulding	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

This comparison highlights gradual improvement in win-loss records and infrastructure. The transition from Moore Field to the Coliseum in 1923 marked a major milestone, increasing visibility and attendance. Coaching continuity also improved after Cozens’ departure, with William Spaulding becoming a foundational figure.

Why It Matters

The 1919 season laid the groundwork for what would become a major college football program. Though modest in results, it reestablished intercollegiate athletics at UCLA during a pivotal post-war era.

Foundation of tradition: The 1919 team initiated UCLA’s football legacy, setting the stage for future conference membership and national prominence.
Post-war student life: Reviving football helped normalize campus culture after World War I, boosting school spirit and student engagement.
Development of coaching roles: Fred Cozens’ leadership established early administrative and training frameworks later expanded by successors.
Recruitment and visibility: Even limited competition raised UCLA’s profile, attracting student-athletes from Southern California high schools.
Path to the Coliseum: Early home games at Moore Field underscored the need for better facilities, accelerating plans for Coliseum use by 1923.
Historical benchmark: The 1919 season serves as a reference point for measuring the program’s growth over the next century.

Today, UCLA football competes in the Pac-12 Conference with a national reputation, tracing its origins to this foundational 1919 campaign. The season symbolizes resilience and institutional commitment during a transformative period in American higher education.