Coach Jim Mora promised when he named Josh Rosen starting quarterback that the true freshman would make plays that would have fans holding their breath. Sometimes due to miscues, other times due to great plays.
UCLA’s Saturday season opener against Virginia had a fair amount of breathtaking moments, but they were all for the latter reason as the rookie’s strong throwing, pocket presence and overall composure anchored the Bruins’ 34-16 win over the Cavaliers.
“I didn’t know what to expect. I was excited to see him play,” Mora said. “He took advantage of the protection and threw the ball to guys who can make plays.”
From the moment Rosen took his first snap his intentions were clear. The quarterback launched a 50-yard pass to redshirt junior receiver Kenneth Walker who looked bound for a touchdown before failing to hold on to the ball.
“I think he finally was just able to kind of let it go. Practice is so structured so you can never really tell how good somebody is,” said junior offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch. “But in the game, the bullets are flying, he’s really reacting, I think he did a really good job today and I’m proud of him.”
The freshman, who described himself as “incredibly nervous” before the game, had a historical collegiate debut. He threw three touchdowns and no interceptions en route to shattering the Bruins’ records for pass yardage, attempts and completions in a true freshman quarterback debut.
“No matter how it goes, I just wanted to win,” Rosen said. “Stats, whatever, it doesn’t really matter as long as you come out with a win.”
Rosen showed maturity beyond his 18 years in the way he ran an offense he only met seven months ago. The quarterback hit 11 different players over the course of the game, the most in four periods by the Bruins since Sept. 21, 2013 against New Mexico State. Junior linebacker Myles Jack was so impressed with his teammate that he went up and shook his hand mid-game.
In last season’s opener, also against Virginia, then-quarterback Brett Hundley was sacked a total of five times by a relentless Cavalier pass rush defense. Rosen took only one sack Saturday for a total loss of one yard, a testament to the improvement of UCLA’s offensive line.
On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Tom Bradley’s only logistical issues in his first game with UCLA were off the field. The former Penn State assistant coach experienced a wardrobe malfunction as well as technical difficulties with the on-field telephones, but on the field his defense did its job.
Junior defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes led all players with six tackles as the Bruins limited the Cavaliers to roughly 3.15 yards per play in the second half. In the third quarter, UCLA held Virginia to 13 plays for 52 yards, forcing an interception and two punts.
The Bruin defense also saw two of its key players score touchdowns, as both Jack and junior defensive lineman Kenny Clark picked up six points each for UCLA. In addition to his one-yard touchdown run, Jack registered four tackles.
“I take more pride in the defensive side of the ball,” Jack said. “The offensive deal is just a fun deal. They throw me back there and I can’t really take too much credit for it.”
Saturday’s win was the Bruins’ fifth-straight victorious season opener at the Rose Bowl, making UCLA undefeated in non-conference regular season games under Mora.
Contributing reports by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff.