College Football Weekly Q&A: The Foster Farms Bowl

It is college football bowl season and we actually have a local bowl in our region.  This Saturday two proud programs will square off in the Foster Farms bowl in Santa Clara.  UCLA and Nebraska had hopes of playing in the final 4 or even the Rose Bowl but they will meet Saturday night at Levi's Stadium to cap off their seasons.

To hype the game both head coaches answered questions at the media session to promote this game.  Nebraska  (5-7 and 3-5 in the Big Ten) will be making their first appearance in the Foster Farms Bowl and it's 52nd appearance in a bowl game overall.  Mike Riley is no stranger to coaching but this is his first year at Nebraska as he takes over the proud program.

Q:  Coach Riley, what are your thoughts on playing UCLA in the Foster Farms Bowl?

A: We are excited to play a great program.  I have admired Jim's (Mora) work at UCLA since he arrived.  He has made a huge mark in a short time.  We really respect the play of his team this year.  It will be an honor to get to play UCLA.  We have had a roller coaster season, but we have gotten better as the season has gone along.  We are excited to be here, a great venue, a great city, it is awesome to be a part of this bowl game.

Q:  Coach Mora, what are your thoughts on playing Nebraska in the Foster Farms Bowl?

A:  It is a real pleasure an honor for UCLA to be here participating in this game against such a storied program like Nebraska and a great coach in Mike Riley.  One of the all time great college football programs in college football history and so for us another opportunity to test ourselves against the best.  In our 4 years here at UCLA this will be our 3rd meeting against Nebraska and one of the most memorable memories in my coaching career was a game at Nebraska and it wasn't because of the result of the game it was because of the compassion that the people and the team and family at Nebraska showed our team.  It was shortly after we lost one of our young men in a tragic accident, he lost his life, we had to travel to Lincoln and we were a very fragile team.  And the people of Lincoln opened their arms to us, the players on the Nebraska team wore the #36 on their helmets in honor of Nick Pasquale.  Their student section let off blue and gold balloons, there were signs everywhere honoring Nick.  And it's something that I will never forget.  So to play this team again and to compete against young men and programs with so much class it really is an honor for us.

UCLA is (8-4, 5-4 in Pac 12) will be playing in their 35th bowl game in program history.  There are plenty of story lines for this game and a chance for local football fans to attend or follow on television.  So enjoy bowl season and the game.