While the UCLA football team ruled out participating in a bowl game for this season, the Bruins still have something to play for on Saturday against Stanford in the Rose Bowl (ESPN, 4 p.m. PST).
Quarterback Dorian Thompson Robinson and defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa hope to lead the Bruins (3-3) to their first winning season since 2015.
“We have a handful of seniors and you want to end on a high note going into the next year,” Thompson-Robinson said. “… I don’t think anybody took this year for granted. We could’ve not been playing at all.”
A winning record would add to what has already been a successful year when it comes to building toward the program’s future.
The university hired Martin Jarmond as its athletic director, announced a partnership with the Jordan Brand and landed a recruiting class that 247sports.com ranks 34th nationally, led by defensive end Quintin Somerville and athlete Devin Kirkwood (Serra High of Gardena).
Stanford (3-2) is riding a three-game winning streak and has also declined bowl consideration.
Stanford football has been on the road since Santa Clara County issued an emergency directive on Nov. 28 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases. Prohibited from traveling outside of a 150-mile radius without then quarantining for two weeks, Stanford has been on the road since Dec. 1, flying to Seattle and practicing there before beating Washington on Dec. 5, then riding buses to Corvallis, Ore., to prepare for a Dec. 12 game at Oregon State before flying to Santa Barbara on Monday to prepare for this game.
On Tuesday, Coach David Shaw told the San Jose Mercury News that Stanford was declining any bowl invitations.
“As much as any of us in our hearts would love to play in a bowl game, the practicality – I don’t see how we could do it,” said Shaw, who added that the team would have to move a fourth time to a new temporary location then transfer again to the bowl location, with no guarantee the game would even take place. He said his team is treating UCLA as its bowl game.
Both UCLA and Stanford lost to Oregon and Colorado, with the Bruins’ other defeat coming last weekend against rival USC.
WHEN UCLA HAS THE BALL
Thompson-Robinson and the Bruins managed to control the game early against USC last week before coming up short in the fourth quarter.
“I feel like we controlled the game, really being in sync and in rhythm as a group,” Thompson-Robinson said. “We are just building upon that.”
The third-year quarterback knows it will take a similar effort to defeat a “well-coached team that plays sound football” after watching video to prepare for Stanford.
The offense must play a cleaner game of football after committing three turnovers last week.
“We always strive to be perfect,” Thompson-Robinson said. “But mistakes happen in football. … We have to continue to be consistent, trust the process and make the right reads.”
Eleven of the Bruins’ 12 turnovers this season have come in their three losses.
Coach Chip Kelly and offensive coordinator Justin Frye must establish the running game early with the duo of Demetric Felton and Brittain Brown.
UCLA is ranked 16th nationally in rushing offense (220.5) but saw its duo limited to 124 rushing yards combined against the Trojans. Thompson-Robinson added 50 yards.
Thompson-Robinson tried to make the most of Felton’s playmaking ability, completing five passes to the back for 47 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Saturday is expected to be the final game for Felton after five years in the program.
If the Bruins can establish the run and limit their turnovers, it should help open up the passing game for the quarterback and his favorite targets.
Tight end Greg Dulcich had 167 receiving yards and a touchdown on eight catches last week.
WHEN STANFORD HAS THE BALL
UCLA’s effort on the defensive front should have a significant impact on the outcome.
Stanford running back Austin Jones has rushed for 458 yards and seven touchdowns on 103 carries this season. If the Bruins can contain Jones they could force Stanford to throw more frequently, which should provide more opportunities for the defense to create turnovers.The Bruins have intercepted at least one pass in each of the last three weeks and two in each of the last two games.
Stanford has not thrown an interception all season and lost just two fumbles in its five games. The Cardinal’s offensive line has allowed just six sacks, but will face one of its toughest tests from a UCLA defense that ranks eighth nationally with 3.5 per game.
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