Despite winning only five games in the regular season, Nebraska was invited to play in a bowl based on its Academic Progress Rate as there were not enough eligible teams to fill all 82 spots. The 2015 San Francisco Bowl was the thirteenth all-time and first postseason meeting between Nebraska and UCLA, with the series tied 6–6 prior to the game.
UCLA, favored by a touchdown, methodically marched down the field to take a 7–0 lead on its opening drive.[3] The Cornhuskers answered with a twelve-play drive to tie the game, but could not slow down the Bruins offense for much of the first half.[3] Midway through the second quarter, Tommy Armstrong lost a fumble in the red zone, and UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen delivered two quick touchdown drives of 86 and 68 yards to give the Bruins a 21–7 lead.[3]
Nebraska mounted two run-heavy drives to tie the game at 21 with less than a minute remaining in the half.[4] On the ensuing drive, Nebraska safety Nate Gerry was ejected for targeting, though both coaches agreed the play should not have been penalized.[5]
The Cornhuskers maintained control to start the second half, holding UCLA to a single yard of offense on six plays in the third quarter.[6] It allowed NU to extend its lead to nine points, which became sixteen less than a minute into the fourth quarter when a three-yard Armstrong touchdown brought the Nebraska run to thirty unanswered points.[6] Rosen led a quick touchdown drive and a successful two-point conversion to make it a one-possession game; UCLA drove into NU territory twice more as time wound down, but came away scoreless after a missed field goal and an interception, allowing Nebraska to run out the clock on a 37–29 victory.[6]