Yes, the NCAA gave UCLA (6-7) a waiver, 
allowing it to play in a bowl game despite a losing record. And, yes, the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, to be played Dec. 31 at AT&T Park, was desperate enough for a Pac-12 team to scoop them up. The opponent: Illinois, 6-6 after losing its last six games. Both schools fired their coaches.
Nevertheless, the bowl game’s executive director, Gary Cavalli, says he’s “thrilled” to have UCLA and “extremely happy” to have Illinois. That’s bowlspeak for “someone please buy a ticket, will ya?”
