The Bruins earned a much-need 35-32 win over Rutgers last weekend to improve to 2-5 on the season. Though UCLA’s chances at bowl eligibility look slim, the Bruins did enough to take down a gritty Big Ten program with a winning record.
In the 2024 college football season, losing has been contagious for the Bruins, which begs the question: Can the opposite be true?
The Bruins have five remaining games on their schedule this season, none of which are against a ranked opponent. Though it is unlikely that the Bruins win out in their first season in the Big Ten, the team that took the field against Rutgers showcased the best of what the Bruins are capable of.
Eric Bieniemy’s anemic offense looked both competent and explosive. The defense, save for a late touchdown drive, played a tight ballgame. But most importantly, first-year head coach DeShaun Foster looked to have his players ready for an important game on the road and they delivered.
It is easy to overreact to the Bruins win, but at the very least, UCLA put forth a framework for how the team can win each and every week.
It is a small step, but an important one for the Bruins as they play out the back half of their season looking to finish the season above .500.