Tag: UCLA Athletics

Bruins linebacker wins UCLA Athletics’ Student-Athlete of the week

Another award!

Redshirt junior Carson Schwesinger was named UCLA Athletics’ Student-Athlete of the Week on Wednesday after his heroic performance on Saturday helping lead the Bruins to a win over Fresno State.

Schwesinger, a team captain, made 15 tackles, sacked the quarterback and blocked a punt for the Bruins in their 20-13 win. It was announced on Tuesday that Schwesinger was named first team All-Big Ten and late last month he was named a finalist for the Butkus Award.

The former walk-on had 136 tackles this season, with four sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble. In 38 career games with UCLA, Schwesinger has made 163 tackles. He’s the first Bruin with over 100 tackles in a season since 2018 when Adarius Pickett did it. Schwesinger joined the Bruins in 2021 and has yet to announce whether or not he’ll enter the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Schwesinger takes over for women’s basketball’s Lauren Betts as UCLA’s Student-Athlete of the Week. It’s Schwesinger’s second time earning the award having gotten it last month following his game against Nebraska. 

One thing USC football fans can be thankful for in 2024

A lot of things went wrong for USC in 2024, but beating the UCLA Bruins is one thing that went right.

2024 has certainly not been the most fun year for USC football fans. The Trojans currently sit at 6-5 and have been completely out of the College Football Playoff race for over a month. With all five losses coming by seven points or fewer, it has certainly been a season full of frustration.

However, there is still one thing that USC fans can be thankful for in 2024.

When the Trojans defeated crosstown foe UCLA at the Rose Bowl this past Saturday night, it accomplished two things. Number one, it clinched bowl eligibility for USC. Number two, and perhaps just as importantly, it ensured that UCLA will NOT be going to a bowl game this winter.

Obviously, going to the Sun Bowl or Las Vegas Bowl is not the conclusion to the season that USC fans were hoping for. However, getting to play one additional game—and the extra practices that come along with it—will be an invaluable experience for the program’s younger players.

Perhaps just even sweeter for USC fans, however, Saturday’s victory handed UCLA their seventh loss of the season, ensuring that the Bruins will not be playing football in December.

There is something spitefully sweet about knowing that you were the very reason that someone you hate did not get what they want. While it is not like UCLA had any shot to go to the playoff, USC fans can hold their heads high knowing that the Trojans are the reason the Bruins’ season will conclude after this week.

To quote Kevin Malone from The Office, “It’s just nice to win one.” In a season as frustrating as 2024, USC fans should be thankful for every victory, even one as minor as this.

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USC finally gets first road victory in more than a year

USC did technically win a road football game for the first time in a very long time, but of course, it was just a short drive from campus and not out of state.

Heading into Saturday’s matchup with crosstown rival UCLA, it had been more than a full calendar year since USC football had won an away game.

Entering the night, the Trojans’ last road victory had come on October 28, 2023, 392 days prior. That day, USC defeated Cal 50-49.

The Trojans dropped their final road game of the 2023 season at Oregon. They then lost their first four away contests of 2024 against Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, and Washington.

During that time, USC did win two games away from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against Louisville in last year’s Holiday Bowl and LSU in Las Vegas to open this year. However, those were both neutral site contests, not true road games.

Saturday night’s matchup with UCLA was not exactly a super intimidating environment, either. The Rose Bowl is actually closer to USC’s campus than it is to UCLA’s. The two teams played in front of a half-full, rain-filled stadium with a significant portion of the crowd cheering for the Trojans. Let’s also note the tarps UCLA puts over several thousand seats.

But after going nearly 400 days without a road victory, the Trojans aren’t going to get caught up in the particulars. As ugly as it was, USC’s losing streak in away games is finally over.

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USC’s victory over UCLA reminds us there are no style points in a rivalry game

Many parts of USC’s win over UCLA did not feel satisfying, but beating the Bruins is always delicious and should never be taken for granted. Job done.

On Saturday night, the USC Trojans defeated crosstown rival UCLA 19-13 at the Rose Bowl. USC football survived when it could have dominated.

To say that the game was not exactly pretty would be a massive understatement. The two teams traded field goals and punts for much of the night, with each team mustering just one offensive touchdown. Add in the two teams’ poor records, damp weather, a relatively sparse crowd, and it was a far cry from the instant classic the two teams played on the same exact field two years prior.

Despite the ugly showing, somehow, some way, the Trojans were able to emerge with a victory over their crosstown foes.

Had this exact game come against pretty much any other opponent, there would have been very little satisfaction among the USC fan base. But this game was not against just any opponent.

There are no style points in a rivalry game. When USC and UCLA take the field, records largely get thrown out the window. For those 3-4 hours, all that matters is beating the other team and claiming ownership of the city of Los Angeles.

After being embarrassed by the Bruins in the Coliseum last year, the Trojans desperately wanted to win this one. And although it was far from pretty, they were able to do just enough in order to do so.

There will be plenty of time down the road to scrutinize all of the mistakes that the Trojans made in this game. But for now, USC fans can enjoy the fact that even in this frustrating season, the Victory Bell will once again be painted Cardinal.

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Former USC football players react to victory over UCLA

Former USC football players reacted with a genuine and clear sense of relief when the Trojans were finally able to finish off UCLA.

On Saturday night, USC football defeated crosstown rival UCLA, 19-13. at the Rose Bowl. Following the game, numerous former USC players took to social media to celebrate the victory. This was a tense, tight game which had USC fans nervous, agitated, and uncomfortable the whole night. USC never led by more than six points at any stage of the game. The Trojans didn’t seal the win until the final two minutes. Nothing about this game was easy, which meant a lot of relief poured out when this win over the Bruins went final.

Here is what some of the more notable figures in the USC football universe had to say about the win:

Matt Barkley

“Fight On boys!!! It ain’t always pretty, but a win’s a win! #BeatthebRuins ✌️”

Jake Olson

“Ahh man this is the sweetest ugliest win. No matter how bad a season is… it gets a whole lot better when you can hear that victory bell ringing in the Coli! Bust out that paint boys and let’s beat the Irish!”

Matt Leinart

“Win is a win!”

Rey Maualuga

“USC owns the #RoseBowl”

Calen Bullock

“Fight On ✌️❤️”

The Trojans won at the Rose Bowl for the third straight game, going back to 2020’s win over UCLA. USC won in 2022 as well and then made it three in a row on Saturday night in Pasadena.

Kyle Ford doesn’t hold back emotions before facing UCLA

Kyle Ford played for USC, then for UCLA, and now he’s back at USC. No player will pour more emotion into this game than Ford, who has been through quite a ride.

Kyle Ford is certainly no stranger to the USC-UCLA football rivalry.

The Southern California native spent the first four seasons of his college career at USC. In 2022, he caught a key fourth quarter touchdown pass to help the Trojans to a 48-45 victory over their crosstown foes. But seeking more playing time ahead of the 2023 season, Ford entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, and wound up at, of all places, UCLA.

However, Ford’s time as a Bruin did not go according to plan. With UCLA going through a whirlwind of quarterbacks last season, Ford had just 236 receiving yards last season, and quickly grew unhappy. Following the year, Ford decided to transfer yet again.

Now, the wide receiver is back at USC for his sixth and final season of eligibility. Although he may not be leading the Trojans in any major statistical category, he has still served as a key veteran presence in a relatively young wide receiver room.

Now, with the Trojans set to take on UCLA this week, Ford will have an opportunity to face his former team. Earlier this week, he was asked about such.

“I’m just trying to keep all my emotions at hand like this whole week,” Ford said. “I told someone like right when the whistle blew at the end of the last game that this was the only thing on my mind.

“This is something that you know, when you transfer . . . you dream about, you sleep about.”

With a victory on Saturday, Ford could improve his record in the Crosstown Showdown to 5-1. He won three of four games against UCLA during his first stint as a Trojan, and was with the Bruins for their 38-20 win at the Coliseum last season.

Kickoff between USC and UCLA is set for 7:30 p.m. Pacific time at the Rose Bowl Saturday night.

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Taylor Mays shares his thoughts on the USC-UCLA rivalry

Taylor Mays has played in the USC-UCLA football game. This season, he will coach in it, and he’s fired up for another run at the Bruins.

Taylor Mays is no stranger to the USC football rivalry against UCLA. Having played at USC from 2006-2009, the three-time All-America safety played against the Bruins four times, going 3-1 in those matchups. Now, Mays will be on the Trojans’ sideline for the Crosstown Showdown Saturday night as USC’s assistant defensive backs coach.

Earlier this week, Mays discussed the significance of the rivalry on USC’s weekly “Trojans Live” show.

”It does have a different feel, being at the Coliseum or the Rose Bowl playing UCLA,” Mays said.

”This is one of the reasons that you come to USC, to play in an awesome rivalry game like this. I’m not even from Los Angeles, and the rivalry means everything to me.

“You wanna be in the moment and really take it all in. But then you also want to go out there and slam their face in the ground.”

With neither USC nor UCLA having a particularly successful season, the stakes of this year’s matchup are not nearly as high as in years past. However, major bragging rights are still on the line this weekend, so there will certainly be no shortage of motivation on either side.

Kickoff of the Crosstown Showdown is set for 7:30 p.m. local time on Saturday night from the Rose Bowl.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, Ducks Wire, UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire.

USC fans can pull a doubleheader in LA on November 23

It’s a blockbuster USC sports doubleheader on November 23. You can go to Galen Center for women’s hoops and then to Pasadena for football versus UCLA.

On Monday, the kickoff time was announced for the annual Crosstown Showdown rivalry game between USC and UCLA. On Saturday, November 23, the Trojans and Bruins will battle under the lights at the Rose Bowl. Kickoff of the Battle of Los Angeles is set for 7:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. The game will be televised on NBC. Earlier that afternoon, the USC women’s basketball team will play a marquee early season game when the Women of Troy host Notre Dame at the Galen Center. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. Pacific, also on NBC.

For USC football and basketball fans in Los Angeles, this sets up a dream doubleheader scenario. Fans will be able to catch the basketball game in its entirety, then head over to the Rose Bowl for the football game. Even with LA traffic, there should still be plenty of time for tailgating prior to kickoff.

Even for those who will not be able to attend, it will still be incredibly convenient: NBC will televise both matchups nationally, so fans will not even need to change the channel.

For good measure, the peacock network will also televise Notre Dame football’s showdown with undefeated Army in between these two USC games. Hence, NBC’s schedule for Saturday, November 23 is (Pacific time):

1 p.m.: USC-Notre Dame women’s basketball

4 p.m.: Notre Dame football

7:30 p.m.: USC football versus UCLA

It sets up an exciting day in the spotlight for the Trojans and the Fighting Irish, leading up to their showdown on the football field the following week on Nov. 30.

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UCLA Bruins add new atheltic director staffer

UCLA’s newest hire looks to improve the athletic department’s profitability.

There is a new face in Westwood for the Bruins athletic department. This week, the Bruins named Daniel Cruz the Athletics Deputy AD and Chief Revenue Officer, according to David Woods of 247 Sports.

Despite the recent struggles of the Bruins football team, UCLA remains a marquee program in the NCAA with success in women’s and men’s basketball, gymnastics, and softball. Cruz, the former Spotify, ESPN, and MindShare employee, looks to bring an entrepreneurial and innovative approach to UCLA’s athletic department.

UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond praised the hiring of Cruz and his potential impact at the university saying, “In the midst of transformational change in collegiate athletics, (Cruz’s) forward-thinking and innovative approach is going to help us optimize revenue generation on every level to better support our student-athletes.”

Given the sudden and long overdue overhaul of student-athlete rights, big-name programs like UCLA have opportunities to grow their revenue and influence while fairly compensating their players.

Moreover, the ability to market the now-Big Ten school can attract a wider array of athletes to UCLA, potentially improving the product in the gym, on the floor, and on the field.

UCLA hires Stephanie London Krogius for fundraising improvements

UCLA Athletics has hired Stephanie London Krogius as part of their program.

A nice addition to the UCLA Bruins athletic department is Stephanie London Krogius. She has been hired to lead the athletic department’s development, with a strong emphasis on fundraising.

Athletic Director Martin Jarmond is excited about the hiring and has this to say about London Krogius:

“We are excited to welcome Stephanie London Krogius to the Bruin family. She brings a refreshing approach to fundraising and philanthropy and a breadth of experience that will serve our student-athletes and constituents well.”

Pete Thamel, College Football Senior Writer for ESPN and an insider on College Game Day broke the news with this:

UCLA is hiring Stephanie London Krogius as the executive senior associate AD/chief development officer. This is a fundraising role that UCLA is using to help the school adapt to a new era where there’s a premium on raising money for the athletic department and NIL. London Krogius most recently worked in fundraising for Providence Hospitals/Health Care. She’s a former tennis player at USC, pro tennis player and head coach at Arizona. She’s worked in athletic administration at UC Irvine and as Chief Revenue Officer of USA Water Polo.

London Krogius has over 10 years of experience. She also has experience with the USA Wager Polo department and has been promoted several times due to her excellent work. When asked about her excitement over the new role London Krogius had this to say:

“I am humbled and excited to join the Bruin family and return to collegiate athletics during a time of change and tremendous opportunity/ To support, resource and serve student-athletes at the premier public research university in the country, with an iconic and storied athletic history, is an honor. I believe in UCLA’s mission and vision and look forward to collaborating with the leadership team to continue to refine and execute that vision.”

She is a graduate of USC, but married Lars Krogius, who is a UCLA graduate from 1979.