UCLA football’s season has largely been shaped not by the Bruins’ own efforts, but by those of a Pac-12 South foe.
Time and again over the course of the past 11 weeks, Utah has gifted UCLA with timely bailouts.
UCLA’s upset loss to Arizona State was offset by USC’s overthrowing of Utah before last week’s slip-up against the Washington State Cougars was mitigated by another Ute loss – this one at the hands of Arizona.
“I think the conference is more competitive, through and through,” said coach Jim Mora. “You look at teams that maybe have struggled the last couple years … now all of a sudden they’re making noise.”
This week, the Bruins once again benefit from the Utes’ misfortune. Running back Devontae Booker is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery and will not take the field Saturday.
Booker is the league’s third-best when it comes to rushing yards and ranks second in rushing touchdowns. As the cornerstone of the Utah offense, Booker represents a season-altering loss for the Utes but spells opportunity for the Bruins.
“I think they understand the challenges that we face, No. 1, this week and the opportunities that we have as well,” Mora said. “Fortunately for us, we have played well on the road. It hasn’t been a big issue for us and so I think we kind of embrace those kinds of things, going into what’s going to be a really hostile environment.”
Although freshman quarterback Josh Rosen has thrown 188 consecutive passes without an interception, the Bruin offense still struggled against the Cougars. Rosen’s receiver corps dropped a number of touchdown chances in the end zone and the team went scoreless in the third period, miscues that proved insurmountable.
A strong UCLA offense should be able to outmatch a weakened Utah rush if Rosen and his receivers can connect better than they did against Washington State.
“I think we’ve all seen that progress that he’s made, it’s really been phenomenal what he’s been able to do over the course of the year,” Mora said. “I think he’s got great confidence in his receivers and they’ve got great confidence in him.”
Heading to Rice-Eccles Stadium this weekend, UCLA faces a Utah team that is unbeaten at home.
UCLA has only one road loss – the blowout to Stanford on Oct. 21. The Bruins have fallen at home, dropping two in front of the crowds at the Rose Bowl. The team’s most comprehensive win of the season – a 41-0 shutout of a struggling Oregon State – came in adverse conditions at the Beavers’ home stadium in Corvallis, Oregon.
“I don’t know what it is in these kids’ DNA, or in their background, or what it is, but when they’re the underdog and people are telling them they can’t do it, when they’re on the road in a hostile environment, something happens to them,” Mora said. “They rise up.”
Compiled by Claire Fahy, Bruin Sports senior staff.