UCLA granted bowl waiver from NCAA

Los Angeles, CA – UCLA has been granted a waiver from the 12 Championship Game on Friday and finish with a losing record.

The Bruins completed the regular season at 6-6 overall and won the Pac-12 South with a 5-4 mark, but will play for the title only because of NCAA sanctions against Southern California, which closed the year at 7-2 in the Pac-12 after a 50-0 rout of UCLA last week. UCLA heads into Friday's contest as a tremendous underdog against the eighth-ranked Ducks.

"As a program, we appreciate the NCAA approving our petition for a bowl waiver," said UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero. "We will be able to give our 18 seniors one more chance to represent their university and end their collegiate careers on a high note, regardless of the outcome of this Friday's Pac-12 Championship Game. We'd like to thank the NCAA for considering the unique situation in which we find ourselves this year and rewarding us with this opportunity."

Bowl pairings will be announced Sunday and the waiver gives the Pac-12 seven eligible teams with seven bowl tie-ins.