UCLA defense closes out upset of Oregon
No. 21 UCLA 17, No. 16 Oregon 15, end of game
Oregon started on its 5.
Brock Thomas passed to Messiah Hampton for seven yards. Thomas passed to Hampton for two yards. Thomas passed to Hampton for five yards. On first down with 22 seconds left, Thomas passed to Dakorien Moore for 18 yards.
On first down at the Oregon 37, Thomas spiked the ball.
With 15 seconds left, Thomas passed just out of Moore’s outstretched arm.
On third-and-10 with 10 seconds left, Thomas tossed an incomplete pass.
Thomas passed to Evan Stewart and Oregon tried to run the hook-and-ladder, but UCLA eventually knocked down the ball to end the game.
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UCLA punt pinned Oregon near its end zone with 48 seconds left
No. 21 UCLA 17, No. 13 Oregon 15, 48 seconds left in the fourth quarter
UCLA started on its 35 after the kickoff went out of bounds.
Wayne Knight ran for nine yards without going out of bounds to help run time off the clock before the two-minute timeout was triggered. Oregon was called offsides and gifted UCLA five yards and a first down.
Knight ran for four yards. Knight ran for no gain and Oregon called timeout with 1:51 left. Anthony Woods ran for four yards. On fourth-and-three at the Oregon 43.
UCLA ran the clock down to 1:01 and took a delay of game penalty.
UCLA punted to the Oregon 5 and took the clock down to 48 seconds.
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UCLA gives up touchdown pass, but stuffs two-point conversion to protect lead
No. 21 UCLA 17, No. 13 Oregon 15, 2:16 left in the fourth quarter
Oregon started at its 43.
Brock Thomas passed to Jamari Johnson for six yards. Thomas passed to Dakorien Moore for seven yards.
On first down at the UCLA 44, Thomas tossed an incomplete pass. Thomas then passed to Evan Stewart, who rumbled for a 44-yard touchdown. Thomas tried to run to the end zone on two-point conversion attempt and was stopped short, but UCLA was called for a face mask penalty. The ball was moved to the 1/2 yard line.
Jordon Davison carried the ball and was stopped by Tyson Ford, protecting UCLA’s lead.
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UCLA offense stalls and the Bruins punt
No. 21 UCLA 17, No. 13 Oregon 9, 3:06 left in the fourth quarter
Wayne Knight retuned the kickoff to the Bruins’ 22, but UCLA was called for a chop block and the Bruins were moved back to their 11 to start the drive.
Anthony Woods ran for four yards. UCLA was called for a false start while trying to run as much time off the clock as possible before snapping the ball. On second-and-11, Knight ran for seven yards. On third-and-four, UCLA called timeout with 3:16 remaining after running the play clock down.
On third-and-four, Ty Dieffenbach pass intended for Brian Rowe Jr. fell incomplete.
UCLA punted and Oregon took a fair catch at its 43.
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Penalties help set up Oregon field goal
No. 21 UCLA 17, No. 13 Oregon 9, 5:16 left in the fourth quarter
Oregon started on its 32.
Ducks third-string quarterback Brock Thomas fumbled the snap and lost four yards. Jordon Davison ran for two yards. On third-and-12, Thomas passed to Evan Stewart one yard. UCLA was called for a face mask penalty that extended UCLA’s drive.
Thomas passed to Dakorien Moore for 36 yards and UCLA’s Aiden Gobaira was called for roughing the passer, tacking another 10 yards onto the gain.
On first-and-goal at the UCLA 10, Davison ran for no gain. Thomas passed for two yards. On third-and-goal, Thomas’ pass was tipped and fell incomplete.
Gage Hurych hit a 26-yard field goal to trim UCLA’s lead.
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UCLA can’t score off Oregon turnover, punts
No. 21 UCLA 17, No. 13 Oregon 6, 8:39 left in the fourth quarter
UCLA started on its 46 after the fumble recovery.
Anthony Woods ran for three yards. Woods ran for 17 yards, but UCLA’s Josh Phifer was called for holding. On second-and-17, Jaivian Thomas ran for one yard. On third-and-16, Ty Dieffenback searched for passing options and ran for one yard.
UCLA punted 40 yards and Dakorien Moore returned it 13 yards to the Ducks’ 32.
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Oregon changes quarterbacks, UCLA forces sixth turnover of game
No. 21 UCLA 17, No. 13 Oregon 6, 11:30 left in the fourth quarter
Oregon started on its 25.
Brock Thomas took over at quarterback, replacing turnover-prone Dylan Raiola. The Ducks have given up the ball five times so far this game. Jordan Davison ran for five yards. Dierre Hill Jr. ran for 16 yards. Hill ran for seven yards. Hill ran for two yards. On third-and-one at the UCLA 45, Hill ran for no gain. On fourth down, Oregon fumbled the snap and Anthony Sacca recovered the ball at the UCLA 46.
It’s the Ducks’ sixth turnover of the game.
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Ty Dieffenbach throws his first UCLA touchdown pass, Bruins extend lead
No. 21 UCLA 17, No. 13 Oregon 6, 13:31 left in the fourth quarter
On first down at the Oregon 16, Wayne Knight ran for seven yards. Knight ran for no gain. Backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach passed to Knight for a nine-yard touchdown.
Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.
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UCLA snags another interception, backup QB leads Bruins’ drive as time expires in third quarter
No. 21 UCLA 10, No. 13 Oregon 6, end of third quarter
Oregon started on its 3 after the turnover on downs.
Dierre Hill Jr. ran for seven yards. Dylan Raiola rolled away from pressure, lofted the ball off his back foot in the air and it was intercepted by Tao Johnson and retuned to the Ducks’ 33.
Ty Dieffenbach remained the Bruins’ quarterback, playing in place of starter Nico Iamaleava. CBS reported Iamaleava returned from the locker room late in the second quarter and stood on the sideline out of uniform with a towel on his head.
Anthony Woods ran for three yards. Dieffenbach tossed an incomplete pass. Dieffenbach passed to Semaj Morgan for 14 yards and time expired in the third quarter.
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UCLA forces another Oregon turnover
No. 21 UCLA 10, No. 13 Oregon 6, 6:33 left in the third quarter
Oregon started on its 11 after the UCLA punt.
Jordan Davison ran for seven yards and another four yards. Dierre Hill Jr. ran for four yards and Oregon called timeout.
Dylan Raiola passed to Evan Stewart, Scooter Jackson forced a fumble and Jalen Woods recovered the ball at the Oregon 33.
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Ty Dieffenbach takes over at quarterback and UCLA punts
No. 21 UCLA 10, No. 13 Oregon 6, 8:51 left in the third quarter
UCLA started on its 35 after the Oregon punt.
Wayne Knight ran for six yards, three yards and one yard. Ty Dieffenbach started in place of Nico Iamaleava and passed to Leland Smith for 20 yards.
Jaivian Thomas ran for no gain. Dieffenbach ran fo ra loss of nine yards. Dieffenbach was sacked for a loss of 13 yards.
UCLA punted to the Oregon 6 and Evan Stewart returned it to the Oregon 11.
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UCLA defense forces Oregon to go three-and-out to start third quarter
No. 21 UCLA 10, No. 13 Oregon 6, 13:54 left in the third quarter
Oregon started on its 25 after the touchback.
Dierre Hill Jr. ran for two yards. Dylan Raiola tossed two incomplete passes. Oregon punted to the UCLA 25 and the Ducks were called for holding.
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UCLA coach Bob Chesney: ‘We’re just squandering opportunities’
UCLA coach Bob Chesney watches his players warm up before playing Oregon Saturday in Eugene, Ore.
(Lydia Ely / Associated Press)
UCLA coach Bob Chesney said during his halftime interview with CBS his team has figure out how to finish offensive drives.
“We’re just squandering opportunities,” Chesney told CBS. “We’re down here three different times. One field goal blocked, other times just can’t happen. We’ve got to capitalize on this opportunity.
“We’re doing what we need to be doing on defense and on offense. We have got to protect the quarterback a little bit but we gotta get out of our hands. There’s opportunities here. We gotta start capitalizing.”
When asked about quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s health after the was briefly treated on the field and left the game for one snap late in the second quarter, Chesney told CBS: “He’s fine. He just got hit in the quad and he’s fine.”
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UCLA and Oregon combine for three interceptions in final two minutes
No. 21 UCLA 10, No. 13 Oregon 6, end of second quarter
UCLA started on its 38.
Nico Iamaleava was sacked for a loss of seven yards and Oregon called timeout with 1:35 left. Iamaleava passed to Semaj Morgan for 18 yards. Iamaleava’s pass was intercepted by Jerry Mixon and returned to the Ducks’ 40 with 1:17 remaining.
Dylan Raiola’s pass was incomplete. Dierre Hill Jr. ran for a loss of four yards. UCLA called timeout with 1:07 remaining. Raiola escaped a sack and throws deep, but his pass was intercepted by Ta’Shawn James and returned to the Oregon 41.
Iamaleava passed to Semaj Morgan for 14 yards. Iamaleava ran for five yards and stayed on the field while grasping his left leg.
UCLA called timeout.
Ty Dieffenbach tossed a pass intended for Brian Rowe Jr. that was on target, but Rowe couldn’t pull it in. Nico Iamaleava returned and tossed a pass far from Morgan in the end zone. The ball was intercepted by Koi Perich.
Davison ran for two yards and Oregon ran out the clock.
The Ducks receive the ball to start the third quarter.
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UCLA defense forces quick Oregon punt
No. 21 UCLA 10, No. 13 Oregon 6, 1:40 left in the second quarter
Oregon started on its 20 after the blocked field goal. Jordan Davison ran for a loss of three yards before the two-minute timeout was triggered. Dylan Raiola tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-13, Raiola tossed a screen pass to Davison and Jalen Woods tackled him for a loss of two yards.
UCLA called timeout with 1:49 remaining.
Oregon punted and Cole Martin lost two yards on the return, landing at the UCLA 38.
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Oregon blocks UCLA field-goal attempt
No. 21 UCLA 10, No. 13 Oregon 6, 2:24 left in the second quarter
UCLA started on its 35.
Nico Iamaleava managed pressure and passed to Brian Rowe Jr. for 22 yards. Jaiavian Thomas ran for four yards. Iamaleava passed to Landon Ellis, who pulled the ball away from the defensive back and gained 26 yards.
On first down at the Oregon 10, Wayne Knight ran for one yard. Nico Iamaleava ran out of a collapsing pocket for two yards. On third-and-seven, Iamaleava tried to duck out of pressure and run forward, then was stopped for one yard.
Mateen Bhaghani’s 27-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
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Penalties thwart Oregon drive, Ducks punt
No. 21 UCLA 10, No. 13 Oregon 6, 6:41 left in the second quarter
Oregon started on its 25 after the touchback.
Dierre Hill Jr. ran for a loss of two yards and Oregon was called for holding on the play. On first-and-20, Dylan Raiola’s screen pass attempt was batted down at by Aiden Gobaira. Raiola rolled for a loss of one yard. Raiola passed to Hill for 15 yards and Oregon was called for holding on the play, but UCLA turned down the penalty.
On fourth down, Oregon punted and UCLA signaled for a fair catch at its 30. The Ducks were called for illegal formation on the punt and it moved the ball to the Bruins’ 35.
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Wayne Knight runs for a touchdown as UCLA offense finally gains traction
No. 21 UCLA 10, No. 13 Oregon 6, 8:08 left in the second quarter
UCLA started on its 49 after the fumble.
Anthony Woods ran for six yards. Nico Iamaleava ran for 11 yards. Iamaleava passed to Wayne Knight for a loss of one yard.
Knight took a direct snap, burst through the right side of the line and hit the jets for a 35-yard touchdown.
Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.
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UCLA defense forces Oregon fumble and recovers the ball
No. 13 Oregon 6, No. 21 UCLA 3, 10:25 left in the second quarter
Oregon started at the 50-yard line after a punt return.
Dylan Raiola was nearly sacked, rolled out and tossed an in complete pass nearly picked off by Sammy Omosigho. Dierre Hiller Jr. ran for two yards. Raiola pass intended for Evan Stewart was broken up by Scooter Jackson, but UCLA was called for too many men on the field.
On third-and-three at the UCLA 48, Raiola was pressured by Anthony Sacca into fumbling and the ball was recovered by Amier Washington at the UCLA 49.
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UCLA goes three-and-out as Nico Iamaleava struggles to complete passes
No. 13 Oregon 6, No. 21 UCLA 3, 11:05 left in the second quarter
UCLA started on its 15 after the fumble recovery.
Wayne Knight ran for two yards. Semaj Morgan for four yards. On third-and-four, Nico Iamaleava’s pass to Wayne Knight was a rocket and it bounced off Knight’s hands for an incomplete pass.
Iamealava is now 5-of-10 passing so far this game.
Curtis Gerrand punted to the Oregon 35 and Evan Stewart returned it 15 yards to the 50.
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UCLA defense forces an Oregon turnover
No. 13 Oregon 6, No. 21 UCLA 3, 12:48 left in the second quarter
Oregon stared on the UCLA 42 after a punt.
Dierre Hill Jr. ran for eight yards. Jordan Davison took a reverse and ran for 21 yards to the UCLA 13. Davison fumbled after taking a direct snap and Tyson Ford recovered at the UCLA 15.
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UCLA gets enough room to punt out of danger
No. 13 Oregon 6, No. 21 UCLA 3, 14:09 left in the second quarter
On third-and-11 at the UCLA 1, Wayne Knight ran for six yards.
Curtis Gerrand punted 43 yards and Oregon returned it eight yards to the UCLA 42.
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UCLA offense pinned near its end zone as time expires in first quarter
No. 13 Oregon 6, No. 21 UCLA 3, end of first quarter
UCLA started on its 2 after the punt.
Nico Iamleava heaved the ball out of the end zone under pressure and fell incomplete. Wayne Knight ran for a loss of one yard. On third-and-11 at the UCLA 1, time expired in the first quarter.
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UCLA defense shuts down Dylan Raiola, but punt pins Bruins in dangerous spot
No. 13 Oregon 6, No. 21 UCLA 3, 43 seconds left in the first quarter
Oregon started on its 11 after the punt.
Jordan Davison ran for two yards. Play stopped after Rodrick Pleasant hopped on one leg and fell to the field. He was treated and walked off under his own power with a limp.
Dylan Raiola rolled out and tossed a deep pass that fell incomplete, but UCLA’s Amier Washington was called for roughing the passer that gifted Oregon 15 yards.
Raiola tossed an incomplete pass across the middle. Davison ran for three yards. Raiola’s deep pass was incomplete.
Oregon punted, UCLA let it bounce and the Ducks downed it at the Bruins’ 2.
Oregon started on its 11 after the punt.
Jordan Davison ran for two yards. Play stopped after Rodrick Pleasant hopped on one leg and fell to the field. He was treated and walked off under his own power with a limp.
Dylan Raiola rolled out and tossed a deep pass that fell incomplete, but UCLA’s Amier Washington was called for roughing the passer that gifted Oregon 15 yards.
Raiola tossed an incomplete pass across the middle. Davison ran for three yards. Raiola’s deep pass was incomplete.
Oregon punted, UCLA let it bounce and the Ducks downed it at the Bruins’ 2.
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UCLA punts after a few first downs and a near interception
No. 13 Oregon 6, No. 21 UCLA 3, 2:17 left in the first quarter
UCLA started on its 20.
Nico Iamaleava passed to Brayden Loftin for eight yards. Anthony Woods ran for nine yards.
Iamaleava’s screen pass was nearly intercepted by Oregon A’Mauri Washington. Washington’s frustration toss of the ball after not getting a pick on the play triggered an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, a 15-yard gain for the Bruins.
On first down at the Oregon 48, Jaivian Thomas ran for three yards. Iamaleava passed to Semaj Morgan for three yards. On third-and-four, Iamaleava faked a handoff and was dropped for a of two yards.
UCLA punted to the Oregon 11 and the Ducks signaled a fair catch.
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UCLA pressures Oregon quarterback and Ducks punt
No. 13 Oregon 6, No. 21 UCLA 3, 5:52 left in the first quarter
Oregon started on its 34.
Dylan Raiola tossed an incomplete pass. Raiola scrambled and tossed a pass broken up by Sammy Omosigho and nearly intercepted by UCLA. On third-and-10, Raiola tossed a pass intended for Dakorien Moore broken up by Rodrick Pleasant.
Oregon punted to the UCLA 21 and Cole Martin returned it for a one-yard loss.
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UCLA offense goes three-and-out
No. 13 Oregon 6, No. 21 UCLA 3, 6:19 left in the first quarter
UCLA started on its 25 after the kickoff.
Wayne Knight ran for three yards. Nico Iamaleava pitched to sweeping Knight for a gain of four yards. On third-and-three, Iamaleava’s pass was batted down.
Curtis Gerrand punted and Oregon returned it to the Ducks’ 34.
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Nico Iamaleava fumble sets up Oregon touchdown
No. 13 Oregon 6, No. 21 UCLA 3, 7:57 left in the first quarter
UCLA started on its 10 after the punt.
Nico Iamaleava looked to pass and faced an unblocked Nasir Wyatt. Iamaleava lost control of the ball before his arm extended for a forward pass. Oregon’s Koi Perich recovered the ball at the 1.
Jordon Davison ran for a one-yard touchdown. Oregon’s Brock Thomas was stuffed during the two-point conversion attempt that failed.
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UCLA defense forces Oregon to punt on Ducks’ opening drive
No. 21 UCLA 3, No. 13 Oregon 0, 8:10 left in the first quarter
Oregon started on its 25 after taking a fair catch on the kickoff.
Dylan Raiola passed to Dakorien Moore for 16 yards. Raiola pass to Evan Stewart for one yard. Raiola passed to Jalen Lott for six yards. On third-and-three, Jordan Davison ran for a loss of one yard.
Oregon punted and UCLA took a fair catch at the Bruins’ 10.
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UCLA settled for field goal after 62-yard pass play
No. 21 UCLA 3, No. 13 Oregon 0, 10:47 left in the first quarter
UCLA started on its 25 after the kickoff.
Nico Iamaleava faked a handoff to Wayne Knight passed to Aidan Mizell for a gain of 62 yards. Knight ran for three yards. Iamaleava passed to Semaj Morgan for five yards. On third-and-two at the Oregon 5, Knight ran for four yards.
On first-and-goal at the Oregon 1, Anthony Woods ran for no gain. Woods ran for a one-yard loss. Iamaleava rolled out and his pass landed behind Jaivian Thomas.
Mateen Bhaghani hit a 21-yard field goal.
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Oregon wins coin toss and defers
No. 21 UCLA 0, No. 13 Oregon 0, 15:00 left in the first quarter
Oregon won the coin toss and elected to defer.
UCLA took a fair catch and will start on its 25.
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Meet UCLA receiver Semaj Morgan, who started a foundation at age 17 to help others
UCLA receiver Semaj Morgan makes a catch against San Diego State safety Jelani McLaughlin at the Rose Bowl on Sept. 12.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
It never has been about the glory for Semaj Morgan.
Not the touchdowns. Not the name, image and license deals. And not even the 2024 national championship he won with Michigan.
For the UCLA wide receiver, all of that plays second fiddle to giving back to his community in Detroit and touching the lives of the people around him through the Semaj J. Morgan Foundation — an initiative he started when he was 17 years old.
Bob Chesney urges surging UCLA to ignore hype as Bruins prep for potent Oregon
UCLA players celebrate after defensive lineman Sahir West recovers a fumble against Purdue on Sept. 19.
(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)
No. 21.
Look at it once.
And do not talk or worry about it again.
That is what UCLA coach Bob Chesney told his team when he showed them their Associated Press Top 25 ranking during Sunday’s team meeting, reminding the Bruins what their priorities are as they come off their bye week and prepare for a showdown in Eugene, Ore., against the No. 13 Ducks.
“If you pay attention to this number it will go away,” Chesney said. “If you pay attention to what you did to get that number, and only focus on that and improve that, maybe the number even gets better. Who knows as time goes on, but that can’t be anything we talk about or worry about, and that’s why I wanted to bring it up one time and that was the end of it.”
How UCLA built one of the most dominant rushing attacks in the country
Wayne Knight is one of three potent UCLA running backs who help the Bruins lead the nation in rushing touchdowns this season.
(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)
How you do one thing is how you do everything.
UCLA running backs coach A.J. Steward preaches it and it is the mantra adopted by the Bruins’ prolific running backs.
UCLA’s three-headed backfield, composed of fifth-year players Wayne Knight and Anthony Woods and senior Jaivian Thomas, is hailed for its undeniable impact on the ground, ranking first nationally in rushing touchdowns, third in yards per carry and fifth in yards per game this season.
UCLA dominates in all phases of the game during rout of Maryland, improves to 4-0
UCLA offensive lineman Hall Schmidt hoists up Jaivian Thomas after the running back scored against Maryland on Saturday in College Park, Md.
(Courtesy of UCLA Athletics)
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Bob Chesney’s friend nicknamed “Juice” led the effort to bus in supporters from the first-year UCLA coach’s hometown of Kulpmont, Pa., to watch the Bruins put the squeeze on Maryland in a 54-3 victory on Saturday.
Thomas Letcavage, the man known as “Juice,” brought four buses filled with 160 Chesney fans to watch their friend cook the Terrapins.
“When you grow up in a town like that where they took care of a bunch of kids running around, it was all family,” Chesney said. “I’m obviously a son of that town and everyone is really proud.”
UCLA urges defense to stay calm during high-stakes showdown with potent Oregon
UCLA defensive back Scooter Jackson celebrates after making a defensive stop against Purdue on Sept. 19 at the Rose Bowl.
(Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times)
When No. 21 UCLA faces off against No. 13 Oregon on Saturday afternoon at Autzen Stadium, defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler wants the Bruins to toe the line between playing with emotion and playing emotional.
“Big-time environments tend to bring a little extra out of your guys, and when you do a little bit extra, you tend to do too much,” Hitschler said. “Football is a hard game, but you can’t make it harder than it already is. Sometimes when you press, you tend to give up big mistakes. In the Purdue game, looking back, we definitely pressed a little bit too hard and got a little emotional. … Got to play with emotions, but we can’t play emotional. We’re in a good spot of growing and understanding that. But this is a new atmosphere, a new environment.”
Aside from the national rankings, the long history between these former Pac-12 rivals and both teams’ chances to contend for the College Football Playoff, the memory of Oregon knocking James Madison out of the Dukes’ first playoff appearance last December remains fresh for many of their players and assistants who followed coach Bob Chesney to the Bruins.