WESTWOOD—UCLA FOOTBALL IS BACK! The Bruins return for their home opener at the iconic Rose Bowl on Saturday, September 7 to face the San Diego St. Aztecs at 1:15 p.m. The game will be televised on the PAC-12 Network.
The extravaganza both on and off the field is an opportunity to tailgate, bond with other die-hard Bruins and celebrate the pageantry of college football.
The exuberant atmosphere is truly a sight to behold. Smelling the intoxicating aroma of burgers and chicken wings wafting from the Ralphs Ultimate Tailgate Party, as the marching band heads into the stadium.
Dedicated Bruin fans will shout the 8 CLAP. The Bruin Walk gives the Bruin faithful a chance to interact with the players, giving them a fist bump before they battle on the gridiron.
The Bruins need our support as the team finds itself in the midst of rebuilding its beleaguered program. In 2018, the Bruins finished off with a dismal 3-9 record; it’s worst record in decades. UCLA will be further motivated by the thunderous cheers and stomping, after their second straight season opened up with a loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Bruins suffered a gut wrenching 24-14 defeat in Cincinnati on August 29.
Once again turnovers and a general lack of experience cost UCLA the W. Sophomore Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson committed four costly turnovers. Two interceptions compounded by two fumbles in the red zone sealed the Bruins fate. Thompson-Robinson went 8 of 26, threw two TDs along with two interceptions. Rest assured, Thompson-Robinson will redeem himself and have a tremendous outing.
It needs to be mentioned these Bruins have a whopping 48 players who are either freshman or sophomores. Fans must remain patient with Head Coach Chip Kelly, who is receiving the lionshare of blame. Yes, his record as Bruins head coach is 3-10, but rebuilding takes time. In addition, Kelly doesn’t have a deep roster filled with speed and talent like he did while coaching the Oregon Ducks.
Kelly needs another season to put his stamp on UCLA. Especially instilling his dynamic offenses, the team has added wrinkles such as motioning wide receivers side to side before the snap.
Patience is the word every sports fan dreads to hear, yet the sad truth is transforming a program is a massive overhaul which, unfortunately takes time. From top to bottom: from the Athletic Director to the walk one must be instrumental to restore pride and success for UCLA.
Bruins Running Back Josh Kelley, who ran for 1,200 yards in 2018, was scratched due to a foot injury. Wide Receiver Demetric Falcon carried the ball 23 times and caught a TD pass. On defense, the Bruins secondary was impressive and fearless. However, the D-line was manhandled by the Bearcats, giving up a woeful 175 yards on the ground.
UCLA has owned the Aztecs in this California rivalry. The teams last met a decade ago in 2009, UCLA crushed San Diego St. 33-14. This game is the first of a two-game series, the Bruins will visit the Aztecs in 2020. San Diego St. won their home opener, shutting out Weber St, 6-0 on Saturday.
After the San Diego St. game, the Bruins will host the powerhouse No. 4 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in primetime on Saturday, September 14. The savage ballet lives on!
