Nguyening: Uninspiring season setup makes for an empty Den

If UCLA plays in Pauley Pavilion and no one’s there to see it, does the arena make a sound? This brain teaser is a little easier to solve than the one about the tree falling in the forest. In this case, the answer: hardly. With about half of the seats in Pauley Pavilion empty on […]

Nguyening: Victory at Coliseum indicates Bruin revolution underway

Almost four years ago I was admitted to USC and attended its Admitted Student Reception. Attendees toured campus, met current students, interacted with faculty and if they were so inclined, committed themselves to the University of Southern California by way of ringing the then-red Victory Bell while posing for a picture with Tommy Trojan.

Nguyening: UCLA-USC matchup now just a matter of pride

The fact that this upcoming game against USC doesn’t matter at all could make it actually mean something. The feeling of disappointment, wasted opportunity and squandered potential Saturday as the Bruins lined up on 1st-and-30 on their own 35 with the chance to play in the Pac-12 championship game on the line was undeniable. The […]

Bruins still unable to intercept Cardinal spotlight

The stage could have been set better only if Stanford’s marching band was on the field. UCLA’s offense got the ball with 2:57 left on the clock, down 17-10 to then-No. 13 Stanford in a nationally televised game and brandishing a ranking it hadn’t seen at the conclusion of a season since 1998. Starting on […]

Nguyening: NCAA targeting rule is too ambiguously enforced

Last season, Anthony Barr laid a hit that was heard around the city – a sack so thunderous under the rain at the Rose Bowl it ended USC quarterback Matt Barkley’s college career. On Sept. 21, the senior outside linebacker rocked New Mexico State quarterback King Davis III to bed in almost identical fashion. This […]