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Ten Picks in Berkeley – UCLA’s Defensive Masterpiece, 1978
Episode Description:
On October 21st, 1978, inside Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California, the UCLA Bruins delivered one of the most jaw-dropping defensive performances in college football history. In a game that has never been forgotten — and a record that still stands more than four decades later — UCLA intercepted the California Golden Bears ten times. Ten interceptions in a single game. Add in two fumbles, and Cal turned the ball over twelve times, as the Bruins cruised to a 45–0 shutout.
This episode of Record Breakers: College Football Legends takes you deep into that unforgettable Saturday. We rewind the clock to 1978, set the stage with the college football world of the late 70s, and put you right in the middle of a game where the Bruins didn’t just play defense — they suffocated their opponent until there was nothing left.
But this episode is more than a box score. We take you behind the helmets and headsets:
The story of Terry Donahue, UCLA’s 34-year-old head coach, still early in his career but already laying the foundation to become the winningest coach in Bruins history.
The rise of Kenny Easley, the rangy free safety whose instincts and leadership made him one of the greatest defensive backs of his era — and a future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
The moment of glory for Brian Baggott, whose two pick-sixes in one game turned him into an unsung hero of college football lore.
The struggles of Rich Campbell, Cal’s sophomore quarterback, whose bad day in 1978 did not define him, as he later became a first-round NFL Draft pick.
The debut season of Roger Theder, who inherited a program in transition and suffered one of the toughest losses in Cal history.
We also take time to explore the broader context of 1978 college football. Alabama’s Bear Bryant was chasing another championship. USC, led by Charles White and Anthony Muñoz, would go on to claim the national title. Joe Montana was already proving himself as “Joe Cool” at Notre Dame. Billy Sims was dazzling fans at Oklahoma, en route to a Heisman Trophy. Against that backdrop, UCLA’s defense carved their own chapter of history, proving that even in a season dominated by powerful offenses, defense could still steal the show.
Record Breakers: College Football Legends is your home for the greatest moments in the sport’s history. Every episode is a deep dive into the stories behind the stats — the players, the coaches, the atmosphere, and the legacy of records that stand the test of time.
So press play. Relive the chaos. Experience the shutout. And remember: sometimes, legends aren’t made in touchdowns. Sometimes, they’re made in interceptions.
Episode Title: Ten Picks in Berkeley – UCLA’s Defensive Masterpiece, 1978
Podcast Title: Record Breakers: College Football Legends
View all episodes
By Nathan WestEpisode Description:
On October 21st, 1978, inside Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California, the UCLA Bruins delivered one of the most jaw-dropping defensive performances in college football history. In a game that has never been forgotten — and a record that still stands more than four decades later — UCLA intercepted the California Golden Bears ten times. Ten interceptions in a single game. Add in two fumbles, and Cal turned the ball over twelve times, as the Bruins cruised to a 45–0 shutout.
This episode of Record Breakers: College Football Legends takes you deep into that unforgettable Saturday. We rewind the clock to 1978, set the stage with the college football world of the late 70s, and put you right in the middle of a game where the Bruins didn’t just play defense — they suffocated their opponent until there was nothing left.
But this episode is more than a box score. We take you behind the helmets and headsets:
The story of Terry Donahue, UCLA’s 34-year-old head coach, still early in his career but already laying the foundation to become the winningest coach in Bruins history.
The rise of Kenny Easley, the rangy free safety whose instincts and leadership made him one of the greatest defensive backs of his era — and a future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
The moment of glory for Brian Baggott, whose two pick-sixes in one game turned him into an unsung hero of college football lore.
The struggles of Rich Campbell, Cal’s sophomore quarterback, whose bad day in 1978 did not define him, as he later became a first-round NFL Draft pick.
The debut season of Roger Theder, who inherited a program in transition and suffered one of the toughest losses in Cal history.
We also take time to explore the broader context of 1978 college football. Alabama’s Bear Bryant was chasing another championship. USC, led by Charles White and Anthony Muñoz, would go on to claim the national title. Joe Montana was already proving himself as “Joe Cool” at Notre Dame. Billy Sims was dazzling fans at Oklahoma, en route to a Heisman Trophy. Against that backdrop, UCLA’s defense carved their own chapter of history, proving that even in a season dominated by powerful offenses, defense could still steal the show.
Record Breakers: College Football Legends is your home for the greatest moments in the sport’s history. Every episode is a deep dive into the stories behind the stats — the players, the coaches, the atmosphere, and the legacy of records that stand the test of time.
So press play. Relive the chaos. Experience the shutout. And remember: sometimes, legends aren’t made in touchdowns. Sometimes, they’re made in interceptions.
Episode Title: Ten Picks in Berkeley – UCLA’s Defensive Masterpiece, 1978
Podcast Title: Record Breakers: College Football Legends