This weekend UCLA will host Utah at the Rose Bowl in the Bruins’ second conference home game of the season. They will look to avoid a repeat performance of their last Pac-12 home game, a 27-20 loss to Oregon State.
The Bruins (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12) are in need of yet another bounce back game after losing to the Golden Bears on the road last weekend.
They will look to redshirt freshman quarterback Brett Hundley ““ who completed 31 of 47 pass attempts against Cal ““ and redshirt senior running back Johnathan Franklin to lead them against the Utes (2-3, 0-2).
Utah, like Cal was last week, is sure to be hungry for its first conference win.
“They are a very good, physical football team, both sides of the ball. The guys that stand out to you are really their defense,” coach Jim Mora said in a press conference Monday, drawing attention to two of the Utes’ defensive lineman: junior Tenny Palepoi and senior Star Lotulelei.
Mora felt both could cause problems for UCLA’s unstable offensive line, which has been beset by injuries and gave up six sacks to Cal’s defense.
Although UCLA has won its last five games against Utah at the Rose Bowl, fresh memories of a 31-6 loss to the Utes in the snow last year linger for the Bruins.
Whether those memories are the fuel for an inspired performance or the setup for another conference loss at home remains to be seen.
“Not every game’s going to go your way,” Hundley said. “But you’ve got to be able to battle back and respond to adversity, just learn from your mistakes and get better.”
Compiled by Eric Peck, Bruin Sports senior staff.