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UCLA football keeps bowl hopes alive with win over Arizona State

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PASADENA — UCLA just watched a 10-point lead evaporate in 59 seconds. That’s when players started waving towels and bouncing up and down on the sideline. This is supposed to be fun, they were reminded.

In a season mostly devoid of fun moments, the Bruins rediscovered a reason to celebrate again and rekindled their dimming bowl hopes with a 44-37 win over the Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl. UCLA has to win one out of its last two games between next Saturday at USC and at home against California on Nov. 24 to earn bowl eligibility.

“(We had) some great talks and really made a huge focus on the passion and the energy and the enthusiasm,” offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said. “And I really believe our guys are going to take that, run with it and it’s going to be fun.”

  • A plane flies over the Rose Bowl with banner that reads Guerrero 9-16 the last 25 games No Mora ! prior to a NCAA college football game between against the Arizona State Sun Devils and the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    A plane flies over the Rose Bowl with banner that reads Guerrero 9-16 the last 25 games No Mora ! prior to a NCAA college football game between against the Arizona State Sun Devils and the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) drops a pass over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Evan Fields (6) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) drops a pass over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Evan Fields (6) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) catches a pass fora first down over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kobe Williams (5) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) catches a pass fora first down over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kobe Williams (5) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) catches a pass fora first down over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kobe Williams (5) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) catches a pass fora first down over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kobe Williams (5) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) runs for a touchdown against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) runs for a touchdown against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) celebrates with teammates after running for a touchdown against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) celebrates with teammates after running for a touchdown against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) walks off the field after a three and out series against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) walks off the field after a three and out series against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Keisean Lucier-South (11) reacts after a interception, but after a review the play was reversed in the first half of a NCAA college football game against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Keisean Lucier-South (11) reacts after a interception, but after a review the play was reversed in the first half of a NCAA college football game against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins wide receiver Eldridge Massington (82) catches and drops a pass, but the against the Arizona State Sun Devils was called for pass interference in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins wide receiver Eldridge Massington (82) catches and drops a pass, but the against the Arizona State Sun Devils was called for pass interference in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins defensive back Nate Meadors (22) intercepts a against the Arizona State Sun Devils pass and runs for a touchdown in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins defensive back Nate Meadors (22) intercepts a against the Arizona State Sun Devils pass and runs for a touchdown in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) runs for yardage against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) runs for yardage against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • Arizona State Sun Devils running back Demario Richard (4) runs for a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Arizona State Sun Devils running back Demario Richard (4) runs for a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) runs for yardage against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) runs for yardage against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins kicker JJ Molson (17) misses a field goal attempt against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins kicker JJ Molson (17) misses a field goal attempt against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • Arizona State Sun Devils playing calling during a NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Arizona State Sun Devils playing calling during a NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins linebacker Kenny Young (42) tackles Arizona State Sun Devils running back Kalen Ballage (7) for a loss of yards in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins linebacker Kenny Young (42) tackles Arizona State Sun Devils running back Kalen Ballage (7) for a loss of yards in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for yardage against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for yardage against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins wide receiver Eldridge Massington (82) catches and drops a pass, but the against the Arizona State Sun Devils was called for pass interference in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins wide receiver Eldridge Massington (82) catches and drops a pass, but the against the Arizona State Sun Devils was called for pass interference in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins defense tackles Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Kyle Williams (10) for a loss of yards in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins defense tackles Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Kyle Williams (10) for a loss of yards in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) catches a pass fora first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) catches a pass fora first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Chase Lucas (24) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Chase Lucas (24) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins running back Giovanni Gentosi (45) catches a pass for a first down over Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Christian Sam (2) and teammate defensive back Demonte King (28) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins running back Giovanni Gentosi (45) catches a pass for a first down over Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Christian Sam (2) and teammate defensive back Demonte King (28) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora reaches on the side lines in the second half of a NCAA college football game against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora reaches on the side lines in the second half of a NCAA college football game against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Jacob Tuioti-Mariner (91) reacts after sacking Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Jacob Tuioti-Mariner (91) reacts after sacking Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for yardage against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for yardage against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins wide receiver Theo Howard (14) runs for yardage against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins wide receiver Theo Howard (14) runs for yardage against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) reacts after tackling Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kobe Williams (5) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) reacts after tackling Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kobe Williams (5) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora runs off the field saying “I am not going to let you guys take my picture” as the UCLA Bruins defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 44-37 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora runs off the field saying “I am not going to let you guys take my picture” as the UCLA Bruins defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 44-37 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora runs off the field saying “I am not going to let you guys take my picture” as the UCLA Bruins defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 44-37 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora runs off the field saying “I am not going to let you guys take my picture” as the UCLA Bruins defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 44-37 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins takes the field prior to a NCAA college football game against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins takes the field prior to a NCAA college football game against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver N’Keal Harry (1) catches a pass for a first down over UCLA Bruins defensive back Octavius Spencer (18) and teammate defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver N’Keal Harry (1) catches a pass for a first down over UCLA Bruins defensive back Octavius Spencer (18) and teammate defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins running back Soso Jamabo (1) runs for yardage against the against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins running back Soso Jamabo (1) runs for yardage against the against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora runs off the field saying “I am not going to let you guys take my picture” as the UCLA Bruins defeated the against the Arizona State Sun Devils 44-37 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora runs off the field saying “I am not going to let you guys take my picture” as the UCLA Bruins defeated the against the Arizona State Sun Devils 44-37 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

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UCLA (5-5, 3-4 Pac-12) weathered a potential momentum-changing blocked punt by relying on the week’s worth of lessons about energy. Arizona State (5-5, 4-3 Pac-12) scored a touchdown on a blocked punt with 2:13 to go in the third quarter, tying a game that the Bruins were leading by 10 less than a minute prior. UCLA responded with 10 straight points at the beginning of the fourth quarter and recovered a late on-side kick to seal the win.

“It’s a special time in our lives and I think we need to just kind of lighten the load on our backs a little bit and just have fun,” quarterback Josh Rosen said. “With the punt block, it didn’t faze us really because we had a particular mindset this week just to have fun and let it rip.”

With Rosen back from a one-game absence, UCLA scored 24 second-half points, including two consecutive touchdown drives to open the third quarter. The Bruins had been outscored in the third quarter of their past two games 38-0.

The junior was 25-for-45 passing with 381 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his return from a concussion. He was at his finest during the second half, completing 15 of 20 passes for 225 yards and at one point playing with blood streaming from his nose in the third quarter.

Receiver Jordan Lasley, returning from a three-game suspension, had seven catches for 162 yards and one touchdown.

UCLA allowed 584 yards, including 294 on the ground, but kept the ASU offense out of the end zone in the second half. After giving up 203 rushing yards in the first half on 39 carries, the Bruins held the Sun Devils to just 91 yards on 22 carries after halftime.

The struggling UCLA defense got an early boost from cornerback Nate Meadors. The junior grabbed a pass that was tipped by defensive lineman Marcus Moore and Meadors returned it for a 27-yard score at the end of the first quarter.

Up until that point, the Bruins were trailing 14-0. They had dropped a touchdown pass, missed a 36-yard field goal and threw an interception off a tipped pass. On defense, a third-down stop was negated by an offside penalty and the special teams committed two penalties on a single punt return.

“That really sparked it up for us,” Meadors said of his pick, which was his first since freshman year. “We came into the game knowing that we needed a lot of energy and that brought a ton of energy.”

Rosen tied the game on UCLA’s next drive with a 1-yard touchdown run on a drive that included a 30-yard rush from receiver Christian Pabico and a 23-yard scamper from running back Bolu Olorunfunmi.

ASU responded immediately by running the ball on every play of a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Quarterback Manny Wilkins rushed for a 7-yard score, hurdling Mossi Johnson on the way the end zone.

The situation looked familiar to the Bruins, who had gotten off to good defensive starts during their past two games to only be broken by one long drive that opened up the flood gates. It was not the case this time with everyone on the sideline united.

“If you would watch the game, you would see how much everybody is just really sitting there cheering each other on,” safety Mossi Johnson said. “That makes everything way better, knowing that you have support off the field and on the field, it just makes you play 100 times better.”

Wilkins’ touchdown with 7:55 left in the second quarter was the last offensive touchdown for the Sun Devils. UCLA forced three field goals in the red zone in the second half and gave up the touchdown on special teams.

After the final seconds ticked off the clock, fans at the Rose Bowl started preparing for next week.

“Beat ‘SC! Beat ‘SC!” they chanted as the Bruins walked into the tunnel.

UCLA faces rival USC next Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Coliseum. UCLA has lost two straight to the Trojans.


UCLA, during USC week, tries to keep emotions in check

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LOS ANGELES — A larger-than-normal gaggle of reporters greeted Jim Mora in the lobby of the Wasserman Football Center on Monday, with four large video cameras and microphones from at least two TV stations. Mora took his position at the center of the scrum while another camera crew set up its tripod.

It must be rivalry week.

UCLA (5-5, 3-4 Pac-12) has had enough struggles this season between its defense allowing 5.8 yards per rush and season-ending injuries to its top two receivers and don’t need to add more emotional distress while preparing for a heated rivalry game.

With the Bruins labeled as a 16-point underdog in their matchup with No. 11 USC at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Coliseum, Mora is trying to strike the perfect balance between motivation and destruction.

“This is a game where I think you have to be careful that you get them primed just exactly right but not too much,” Mora said, “because if emotions start to spill over, you know we’ve seen what can happen.”

In 2013, then-freshman offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch was ejected for throwing a punch at USC’s J.J. Tavai. In the same game, then-sophomore defensive back Ishmael Adams swung at a USC player, but drew offsetting penalties with USC’s Kevon Seymour. Last year, receiver Jordan Lasley was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after catching a touchdown on UCLA’s opening possession.

Lasley has consistently struggled with containing his emotions, evidenced by a recent suspension that cost him three games this season. The fourth-year junior from Gardena Serra High returned last week claiming to finally have everything in line. He promised to keep it that way this weekend, even while facing many of his former high school teammates.

“It’s another game to me,” Lasley said after UCLA’s win over Arizona State last Saturday. “I’m just trying to be 1-0 every week, whether it’s USC or whether it’s anybody. … I do have a lot of friends over there, it will be fun, but that they’re not going to be my friends during the game.”

Play through it

Krys Barnes wasn’t supposed to play last weekend. Two days before the Bruins’ victory over Arizona State, the sophomore linebacker was having difficulty breathing as a result of asthma that produced an infection. He was on medication and missed practice Thursday.

Then he played 97 of UCLA’s 98 defensive snaps Saturday and led the team with 12 tackles.

“I’ll commend this kid,” Mora said.

The UCLA coaches and medical staff spoke with Barnes and his family and put him on medication late in the week that allowed him to play. Mora is expecting that continued treatment will allow Barnes play even better against the Trojans.

“He could hardly breathe at times,” Mora said. “So he’s going to be a week further into the recovery process from that, so I think he’ll be better.”

Quick hits

Defensive end Jaelan Phillips (concussion) and safety Jaleel Wadood (neck) will “hopefully be back” this week after missing the Arizona State game, Mora said. … Receiver Darren Andrews was named as one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award on Wednesday. The award recognizes the top receiver in college football, but Andrews – UCLA’s leading receiver with 60 catches, 774 yards and 10 touchdowns – is out for the rest of the year with a knee injury.

Whicker: UCLA’s football glory is getting harder to remember

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Tom Ramsey, in his capacity as ESPN broadcaster, ran into a Mountain West Conference coach recently.

“Yeah, I remember you from the Rose Bowl,” the coach said.

“You must have a photographic memory,” the former UCLA quarterback said.

The coach then stumped Ramsey with this question:

“Why can’t UCLA win?”

Ramsey’s 1982 Bruins won that Rose Bowl. They gather regularly, as do other Bruins who played and won for Terry Donahue, parts of teams that won seven consecutive bowl games, went to three Roses in a eight-year span, and also two Fiestas and a Cotton.

In golf carts and restaurants and watering holes they bat it around, sometimes hard. UCLA has not won the Pac-12 since it was the Pac-10, when Cade McNown quarterbacked in 1998. That was also the Bruins’ last previous Rose Bowl appearance.

Nineteen years and three coaches ago.

“We get together and shake our heads,” said Mike Sherrard, the wide receiver. “We haven’t won a Rose Bowl since I was there. And I’m 54.”

Video: Will USC overlook UCLA?

On Saturday, the Bruins bring a 3-4 league record and a 5-5 overall record to the Coliseum to play USC. Next week they play Cal in Pasadena. If they win either game, they will be bowl-eligible, and Coach Jim Mora will laud their accomplishments, and old Bruins will grit their teeth.

“The bar has to be higher than what they think it is,” former quarterback David Norrie said. “The expectation level has to be greater.”

“Everybody goes to bowl games now,” Sherrard said. “And they can’t use facilities as an excuse anymore.”

Absolutely not. The Wasserman Football Center spans 75,000 square feet and cost $65 million. It stands guards over the practice field and caters to every player’s need. When the former Bruins got letters, signed by Mora, beseeching them for contributions, some were offended. Shouldn’t luxury follow winning?

Mora is 46-29 at UCLA, with one Pac-12 championship game appearance. After he won 18 of his first 27 league games, he has lost 15 of his next 25.

The current Bruins have put up some big numbers. For instance, they are 124th nationally in penalty yards, 116th in turnover margin, 122th in scoring defense, 129th in rush defense and 105th in rush offense.

“That’s hard to do,” Ramsey said. “But if you look at the top teams in the rankings, they have one thing in common. They’re solid on both lines. That’s been a problem at UCLA for a while.”

There is no headline running back at the school that once boasted DeShaun Foster, Freeman McNeil, Karim Abdul-Jabbar and Gaston Green.

Since Athletic Director Dan Guerrero fired Bob Toledo after a 7-5 regular season in 2002, the Bruins have visited a Whitman’s sampler of dog-eared bowl games. Three in San Francisco, two in Las Vegas, two in El Paso and one each in San Jose, Washington, San Antonio and San Diego.

“You just wonder if they’re too satisfied with where they are,” Norrie said. “Are they asking enough? With Coach Donahue, if any pass hit the ground in practice, there was legitimate cause for alarm.”

In the post-Toledo years, UCLA got two major gifts that likely won’t be duplicated.

USC was punched by a three-year probation in 2010 that cost the Trojans 30 scholarships. The Bruins never took advantage. USC returned to the Rose Bowl last year and will play in its second Pac-12 championship game in three years.

The other was quarterback Josh Rosen, who turned down Stanford and signed with the Bruins in 2015. He was hurt for parts of the past two seasons, but he will go high in the first round of next year’s draft, and UCLA has wasted his genius by changing its offenses and depriving him of playmakers and blockers.

The Bruins love to talk academic hardship, but that evaporates when you examine 10 consecutive losses to Stanford. The Cardinal has visited five New Year’s bowl games in the past seven seasons. It has become what UCLA once was.

Stanford also plays an identifiable brand of football. Donahue’s Bruins did, too. Incendiary on offense, swarming on defense.

“Homer Smith was my offensive coordinator for five years, Bob Field and Tom Hayes were there the whole time,” Norrie said. “We knew what to expect, every season. Now I don’t know what UCLA’s brand is.”

“We always had guys who were there for four or five years and learned how to play,” Sherrard said. “Now you have guys who want quick exposure, and sometimes they get exposed. We didn’t go there to think about the NFL.”

When the rest of college football thinks of UCLA, it uses past tense. The present is stressful, too.

UCLA football hangs with USC but can’t overcome self-inflicted wounds

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LOS ANGELES — Josh Rosen smiled through the pain. He wiped his face and rubes his forehead. But don’t let the sheepish chuckle fool you. This one hurts.

“I really thought we won this game,” Rosen said while chuckling in disbelief.

UCLA hung with No. 11 USC in its annual rivalry football game on Saturday, but couldn’t overcome its many mistakes in its 28-23 loss. After three straight wins against the Trojans to start Jim Mora’s tenure in Westwood, the Bruins have now lost three straight in the series.

The Bruins (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12) were 16-point underdogs. They lost by five, but left at least nine points on the field after two red zone trips ended in turnovers from Rosen and another possession died on a missed field goal.

  • UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) against the USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) against the USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans linebacker John Houston Jr. (10) celebrates with a teammate after a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (not pictured) as Jackson Gibbs (17) walks past during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans linebacker John Houston Jr. (10) celebrates with a teammate after a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (not pictured) as Jackson Gibbs (17) walks past during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., right, celebrates with wide receiver Trevon Sidney after running back a punt for a 72-yard touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

    USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., right, celebrates with wide receiver Trevon Sidney after running back a punt for a 72-yard touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora after the USC Trojans scores during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora after the USC Trojans scores during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) catches a pass for a first down against the USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) catches a pass for a first down against the USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) catches a pass for a first down past USC Trojans linebacker Cameron Smith (35) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) catches a pass for a first down past USC Trojans linebacker Cameron Smith (35) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora looks toward the scoreboard during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora looks toward the scoreboard during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold scrambles against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold scrambles against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans head coach Clay Helton during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans head coach Clay Helton during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) fumbles, but the play is ruled dead after review against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) fumbles, but the play is ruled dead after review against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) scrambles against UCLA Bruins defensive back Nate Meadors (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) scrambles against UCLA Bruins defensive back Nate Meadors (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) dives for a first down against the USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) dives for a first down against the USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (23) runs for yardage against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (23) runs for yardage against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans celebrate after a touchdown against UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans celebrate after a touchdown against UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins place kicker JJ Molson (17) miss a field goal attempt against the USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins place kicker JJ Molson (17) miss a field goal attempt against the USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans defensive tackle Josh Fatu (98) sacks UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans defensive tackle Josh Fatu (98) sacks UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans defensive tackle Josh Fatu (98) sacks UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans defensive tackle Josh Fatu (98) sacks UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen after fumbling against USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen after fumbling against USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans linebacker John Houston Jr. (10) celebrates with a teammate after a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (not pictured) as Jackson Gibbs (17) walks past during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans linebacker John Houston Jr. (10) celebrates with a teammate after a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (not pictured) as Jackson Gibbs (17) walks past during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans linebacker John Houston Jr. (10) recovers a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (not pictured) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans linebacker John Houston Jr. (10) recovers a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (not pictured) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans linebacker John Houston Jr. (10) recovers a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (not pictured) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans linebacker John Houston Jr. (10) recovers a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (not pictured) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans defensive tackle Malik Dorton (44) causes a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans defensive tackle Malik Dorton (44) causes a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans defensive tackle Malik Dorton (44) causes a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans defensive tackle Malik Dorton (44) causes a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) celebrates with teammate with wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) after a first down catch against the USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) celebrates with teammate with wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) after a first down catch against the USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley reacts after a first down catch against the USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley reacts after a first down catch against the USC Trojans during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) catches a pass for a first down over USC Trojans cornerback Jack Jones (25) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) catches a pass for a first down over USC Trojans cornerback Jack Jones (25) during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

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UCLA had been scoring on 88 percent of its red zone trips entering the game with 69 percent of them ending in touchdowns. On Saturday, the Bruins came away with points only three times out of their five visits inside the 20-yard line.

“We did exactly what we wanted to do,” Rosen said. “Just for some reason, we got inside the 15-yard line and spazzed out.”

UCLA outgained the Trojans 501-417. The Bruins gave up a season-low for rushing yards. Rosen was 32-for-52 for 421 yards and three touchdowns, but two red zone turnovers haunted the junior who has now lost both of his career starts against USC.

Video: UCLA puts up fight, but falls to USC

Rosen turned the ball over on the 17-yard line after getting sacked and stripped by defensive tackle Malik Dorton with UCLA driving at the end of the first half to tie the game. On UCLA’s first drive of the third quarter, the Rosen turned it over at the 14-yard line as safety Marvell Tell jumped the pass in the end zone. The quarterback thought it was a touchdown when he threw it. He said he never saw Tell.

“We had opportunities throughout the game and we squandered them,” offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said. “We squandered them.”

The Bruins had 12 penalties for 100 yards. A clipping penalty by Najee Toran negated a 21-yard touchdown in the second quarter. That drive ended in a missed field goal from 47 yards from J.J. Molson. A defensive holding penalty on Darnay Holmes erased a critical third-down stop in the fourth quarter. With the second chance, Ronald Jones rushed for a 2-yard touchdown eight plays later that put the Trojans (10-2, 8-1 Pac-12) up by 11 with 5:12 to go.

Jones, who averaged 184 rushing yards per game in the past three games, had only 98 rushing yards in the first three quarters. He had 26 more in the fourth quarter to finish with 124, including the game-sealing 2-yard rush on third-and-1 that allowed USC to kneel out the clock.

“We had to get that stop at the end,” defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. “We didn’t do it. We didn’t manufacture it and it’s on us.”

USC scored its first touchdown on trick punt play with one player faking as if he was catching a punt from Stefan Flintoft on the left side of the field when the ball was going to the left. It was a predetermined call for the punt to go to the right, Flintoft said. Yet the gunners still crashed to the left side, leaving Michael Pittman all alone on the right side where he took the punt for a 72-yard return.

With the loss, UCLA has one final chance to secure bowl eligibility next week at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins need a win over California on Friday to avoid missing back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 1989-90. They’re 5-0 at home this season.

“It would mean everything,” Rosen said of going to a bowl game. “We just want to win. We feel like we’re such a better team than our record reflects.”

Jim Mora fired as UCLA football coach after USC loss

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Jim Mora’s Bruin Revolution is over.

The sixth-year head coach was fired Sunday, UCLA announced, one day after the Bruins lost their third straight game to crosstown rival USC.

After setting a school record for wins by a head coach during his first three seasons, Mora has gone just 10-17 since a Nov. 14, 2015 loss to Washington State at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12) need a win in their regular-season finale Friday against California at the Rose Bowl to avoid missing back-to-back bowl games for the first time since the 1989 and 1990 seasons. Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch will take over as interim head coach.

“Making a coaching change is never easy, but it’s an especially difficult decision when you know that a coach has given his all to our university,” athletic director Dan Guerrero said in a statement. “Jim helped reestablish our football program, and was instrumental in so many ways in moving the program forward. While his first four seasons at UCLA were very successful, the past two seasons have not met expectations. We thank Jim and his family for his service to our school and his unquestionable commitment to our student-athletes.”

After jumping to the college coaching ranks, the longtime NFL coach started his UCLA tenure with the most wins in school history for a coach in his first three years. He coined the term “Bruin Revolution,” hoping to signal a change in a program that had only two winning seasons, both 7-6 campaigns, during the six years before he was hired in 2012. Mora went 29-11 in three seasons that included a trio of wins over crosstown rival USC after the Bruins had lost five straight to in the series.

However, the revolution faded out as he went 17-19 in the past three seasons.

Video: UCLA puts up fight, but loses to USC

“Coaching student-athletes at UCLA has been the most rewarding experience of my career, and I know the future is bright for the program,” Mora said in a statement.

He thanked his assistant coaches in the statement, but extended his biggest gratitude to his players,

“You’ve been an inspiration to me, and I’ll carry great memories of our times together the rest of my life,” Mora added of his players. Finally, I want to wish continued success to UCLA and its football program. With the opening of the new facilities and a groundwork laid for excellence, I firmly believe there are great times ahead.”

Guerrero, with senior associate athletic director Josh Rebholz, booster Casey Wasserman, the namesake of the school’s new football-specific facility that will likely go down as the lasting mark of Mora’s UCLA legacy, and former UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman will lead the national search for a new head coach immediately.

Mora, who signed a two-year contract extension before last season, is due a buyout worth approximately $12.275 million, according to USA Today. UCLA said the terms will be honored and covered by department-generated funds.

The coach who turned 56 years old on Sunday was under contract through the 2021 season. He was the highest-paid state employee in California last year with a $3.57 million salary.

The Bruins slid to 8-5 in 2015 during quarterback Josh Rosen’s freshman year, but went 4-8 last season in a failed experiment with Kennedy Polamalu at offensive coordinator that ended with Rosen missing six games due to a shoulder injury.

Rosen returned at full health this season, and the offense, headed by Fisch, the team’s first-year offensive coordinator, was one of the top in the country during the first month of the season. Injuries to key players, starting with tight end Caleb Wilson on Sept. 30, slowly chipped away at the unit.

The UCLA offense made a comeback against USC on Saturday, putting up 501 yards on USC, the most allowed by the Trojans this year. Rosen threw for a 421 yards, the most for a UCLA quarterback against USC, and Jordan Lasley had a career-high 204 receiving yards. Even the much-maligned UCLA defense that entered the game as the worst rushing defense in the country played well, holding USC to just 153 rushing yards, the fewest allowed by the Bruins this season.

Yet repeated mental mistakes, especially 12 penalties and two red zone turnovers, cost the Bruins a closely contested rivalry game. The next morning, Mora was officially out of a job.

Fans flew banners around the Rose Bowl prior to UCLA’s game against Arizona State on Nov. 11 calling for the head coach’s dismissal. Rosen was quick to defend his coach in the face of criticism.

“We love our coach,” the quarterback said at that time. “We all would do anything for him and know he would do anything for us.”

He added last Wednesday before UCLA’s rivalry game that the banners gave the players “some juice to kind of get our coach’s back.”

With their coach gone, former and current players reacted swiftly on social media Sunday to thank Mora.

“Coach Mora made it cool to come to UCLA and that’s a fact,” senior safety Jaleel Wadood wrote on Twitter. “I will forever be grateful to play for a man so passionate about the game.”

Former UCLA defense end Takkarist McKinley, a first-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons last year, pointed to Mora’s track record of developing NFL talent. Mora sent 25 players to the NFL through the past five drafts, the most for a Pac-12 school during that time.

“Win or lose, you helped change my life and other guys’ lives,” McKinley wrote on Twitter. “THANK YOU.”

Despite NFL talent and six straight recruiting classes ranked in the top 20 nationally, Mora was unable to win UCLA’s first conference title since 1998. His greatest years came with players he inherited from his predecessor, Rick Neuheisel. The Bruins played in only one Pac-12 title game under Mora, losing to Stanford in 2012, his first year at the helm.

The turmoil around the program in recent weeks, from the injuries, losses and growing speculation about Mora’s job security, resulted in several hits to the recruiting 2018 class. The Bruins lost five commitments in one week following UCLA’s loss to Washington on Oct. 28. Four-star safety Cam’ron Jones who committed to UCLA in April said two weeks ago the uncertainty around Mora’s job worried him and that he “wanted to play for Jim Mora.” The Texas native declined interview requests Sunday.

UCLA now has no head coach with only one month to go before the NCAA’s first-ever early signing period for football. Recruits can submit national letters of intent for football during a 72-hour period starting on Dec. 20 this season before the sport’s traditional signing period begins in February.

If UCLA earns bowl eligibility with a win against Cal on Friday, the program would be simultaneously dealing with bowl game preparations, coaching changes and trying to hold on to its commitments.

Reaction after UCLA fired head football coach Jim Mora on his 56th birthday

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Less than 24 hours after losing to rival USC, UCLA has fired football coach Jim Mora. It just so happens to be his 56th birthday as well.

Statement from Jim Mora:

Reaction from current UCLA players:

More reaction:

Jason Negro was the high school coach for UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen at St. John Bosco.

Speaking of St. John Bosco, current starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei shared his reaction to the news. According to his tweet, Uiagalelei is still in Oregon after taking an unofficial visit. He also has offers from UCLA and USC.

UCLA commit Chris Bleich of Wyoming Valley West High

UCLA commit C.J. Parks of Mater Dei High

Former UCLA wide receiver Daniel Eaton, who played for Mora.

Former UCLA linebacker Takkarist McKinley, who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2017.

Who is Jedd Fisch, new UCLA interim head football coach?

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Here’s a quick look at Jedd Fisch, who in 20 years has never been a head football coach and on Sunday was named interim head coach after UCLA fired Jim Mora in his sixth season:

Born: May 5, 1976, Livingston, N.J.

High School: Hanover Park High School (East Hanover, N.J.)

College: University of Florida

Note: Fisch did not play football in high school or college

1997: P. K. Yonge Developmental Research School (Gainesville, Fla.) defensive coordinator

1998: New Jersey Red Dogs wide receivers coach and quality control coach

1999–2000: University of Florida graduate assistant

2001–03: Houston Texans defensive quality control coach

2004-07: Baltimore Ravens offensive assistant coach, assistant quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach

2008: Denver Broncos wide receivers coach

2009: Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach

2010: Seattle Seahawks coach

2011–12: University of Miami offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach

2013–14: Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator

2015-16: University of Michigan quarterbacks coach, wide receivers coach, and passing game coordinator

2017: UCLA offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (paid $810,000 in his first season as part of a two-year contract, making him the team’s highest-paid assistant coach)

Nov. 19, 2017: Named UCLA interim head coach

10 candidates to replace Jim Mora at UCLA

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UCLA decided it could pay Jim Mora $12 million to not coach anymore. Now comes the hard part: Hiring someone who can successfully coach the Bruins.

There is a feeling among college football pundits UCLA will hire a big-name coach. History tells us otherwise.

So let’s aim high and then look at some more realistic candidates for the UCLA job.

Chip Kelly: This is the dream hire and there is little doubt UCLA would love to hire him. However, let’s consider a few obstacles: Does Kelly want to move to Los Angeles? Does he want to move to Los Angeles and not be at the school that has the best chance of winning a national title?

Does Kelly want to deal with the bureaucracy that is unique to UC schools? Does he want to deal with the myriad compliance issues? Does he want to cater to boosters? These are legitimate issues because Kelly has a prickly personality.

And how much is UCLA willing to pay Kelly? More than Tennessee? More than Florida?

UCLA hiring Kelly would mean the Bruins would have no issues bringing in a coach with an NCAA “failure to monitor charge” for recruiting infractions at Oregon. Kelly received an 18-month show-cause penalty from the NCAA, which expired in 2014.

James Franklin, Penn State: Does Franklin want to leave a top 10 program and go to the No. 2 program in L.A.?

Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M: Sumlin is on the hot seat with a 7-4 record. That is probably the only way he would come to Westwood. But can UCLA forget he blew a 34-point lead at the Rose Bowl in September?

Mike Norvell, Memphis: This seems like a plausible scenario for UCLA. Norvell’s got Memphis in the top 25 and UCLA would be a step up the coaching ladder. Norvell is also doing more with less, which definitely is a trait you want in a coach. He would also be less expensive than Kelly, Franklin or Sumlin.

Kyle Whittingham, Utah: Once you get past the big, fancy candidates, Whittingham might make the most sense. He lived in Glendora until the eighth grade, has been in the Pac-12 for eight years and keeps Utah competitive despite clear recruiting hurdles.

Whittingham also might be tired of being at Utah, where he was named head coach in 2005. If UCLA fans don’t want Whittingham, what other candidate went 13-0 and beat Alabama in 2008?

Rocky Long, San Diego State: Long was UCLA defensive coordinator from 1996-97. He is 31-8 the past three seasons and right down the freeway. But he is 67, which might be considered too old if UCLA thinks a major rebuilding job is necessary.

Scott Frost, Central Florida: Frost is one the hottest names in coaching but could be returning to his alma mater, Nebraska. He was a longtime assistant at Oregon so a return to the Pac-12 makes sense if Nebraska does not want him.

Tom Cable, Seattle Seahawks: The former UCLA offensive coordinator was the Raiders head coach from 2008-10 and is well-respected in coaching circles. UCLA won 10 games in 2005 and Cable’s offense averaged 431 yards per game.

Jedd Fisch, UCLA offensive coordinator: He is already the interim coach. Maybe if Chip Kelly says no and the Bruins beat Cal and win a bowl game, he gets a look. But will that make the fans happy?

Mike Riley, Nebraska: He won’t be considered an attractive candidate if he is fired soon but Riley was courted by UCLA before and is a Pac-12 institution after two stints at Oregon State. UCLA could do worse.


Jim Mora fired at UCLA: Timeline of his coaching career

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A quick look at sixth-year UCLA head coach Jim Mora, who was fired on his 56th birthday Sunday, one day after a 28-23 loss to USC dropped the Bruins to 5-6 on the season.

Born: Nov. 19, 1961, Los Angeles

High School: Interlake High School (Bellevue, Wash.)

College: University of Washington (walk-on defensive back)

Father: Jim E. Mora, a 15-year NFL head coach

Coaching career

1984: University of Washington graduate assistant

1985–88: San Diego Chargers defensive quality control coach

1989–91: San Diego Chargers defensive backs coach

1992–96: New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach

1997–98: San Francisco 49ers defensive backs coach

1999–03: San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator

2004–06: Atlanta Falcons head coach (26-22 overall, 1-1 playoffs)

2007–08: Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach, defensive backs coach

2009: Seattle Seahawks head coach (5-11 overall)

2012–17: UCLA head coach (46-30 overall, 28-26 in Pac-12, 2-2 in bowl games)

UCLA coaching career

2012: 9-5 overall, 6-3 Pac-12.

Won the South Division. Lost 27-24 to Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship. Lost 49-26 to Baylor in the Holiday Bowl.

2013: 10-3 overall, 6-3 Pac-12

Tied for second in the South Division. Beat Virginia Tech 42-12 in the Sun Bowl.

2014: 10-3 overall, 6-3 Pac-12

Tied for second in the South Division. Beat Kansas State 40-35 in the Alamo Bowl.

2015: 8-5 overall, 5–4 Pac-12

Third in the South Division. Lost to 37-29 to Nebraska in the Foster Farms Bowl.

2016: 4-8 overall, 2-7 Pac-12

Tied for second in the South Division. Did not make a bowl game.

2017: 5–6 overall, 3–5 Pac-12

Currently fourth in the South Division. Can become bowl eligible with a victory over Cal on Friday.

Whicker: UCLA should actually search for a football coach this time

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LOS ANGELES — Yeah, they could have waited until the day after his birthday, but if there is a hatchet nearby UCLA can’t resist swinging it.

Jim Mora got fired as he turned 56 Sunday, the day after his Bruins encapsulated his six unchanging seasons in a five-point loss at USC.

They played spirited, exciting and dumb football, and they will chase bowl eligibility on Saturday with offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch running things, not Mora.

If UCLA does beat Cal and attends the Herdez Salsa Bowl or whatever, Fisch will be the third interim coach to handle those duties for athletic director Dan Guerrero, who hired Karl Dorrell and Rick Neuheisel before Mora.

Guerrero has fired four football coaches. To hire the next one he will be part of a “nationwide search” team. Maybe try another nation?

The next coach inherits glimmering new facilities from Mora, who can buy a lot of candles with the $12 million buyout check. When Mora appeared to be a hiring target for Texas or the NFL, the Bruins kept lining his pockets.

But the next coach won’t have Josh Rosen, who leaves with no New Year’s Day appearances, no Heisman-finalist appearances and an 0-2 record against USC, coached by Clay Helton, the exact type of avuncular fundamentalist that the star-struck Bruins never would hire.

In terms of charisma, Rosen should have been Lonzo Ball. He could have been a perfect representative of UCLA, had UCLA allowed it.

His intelligence and humor and youthful candor were stifled by Mora, who refused to let him attend Pac-12 Media Days, in fear that Rosen might show some personality.

But then Mora was a controller even by coaching standards, and Sunday was like a birthday for some at UCLA who had to tiptoe around Mora’s anger.

Mora could also show perspective and self-awareness, as when he berated himself for losing the Atlanta Falcons’ job because of a radio prank. “I changed the lives of 40 families,” he said, referring to his staff. “I was a (deleted).”

And he made UCLA more aggressive and tougher.

So he’s a complex human being, not unlike 7.4 billion other Earthlings. It’s likely he will coach again.

Mora probably hadn’t even hung up the phone before the Bruin fans were chanting “Chip Kelly,” now with ESPN but formerly Oregon’s coach, and before the Internet was humming with reports that UCLA was meeting with David Dunn, Kelly’s agent.

Guerrero would raise his press conference record to 4-0 with Kelly, who won three Pac-12s in four years at Oregon. Kelly coached in Rose and Fiesta bowls, lost to Cam Newton and Auburn in a national championship game, and went 46-7.

Then he jumped to the NFL and got fired twice in three years. His minimal people skills didn’t help him there. Neither did relatively equal competition. At Oregon Kelly coached only 10 games decided by 10 fewer points and won six.

Kelly was ahead of the college curve. Few others were coaching tempo and the spread like he was, and nobody else had the radical, disposable uniforms and spiffy locker room that Phil Knight financed. Now almost everybody does.

Kelly would please UnderArmour and the other sponsors, donors, marketers and ticket-sellers. If he wants to coach your team you’re almost obligated.

If Kelly wants to come, you’re almost obligated.

But shouldn’t a search committee actually search?

Dabo Swinney wasn’t even a celebrity in Clemson when he was elevated from his job as wide receiver coach. Lincoln Riley was East Carolina’s offensive coordinator two years ago. Swinney won last year’s national title. Riley, at Oklahoma, can make this year’s playoff.

Dave Clawson is 7-4 at Wake Forest. There have been Presidential terms in which Wake Forest hasn’t won seven times. The Deacons laid 587 yards on Notre Dame. Call him.

Pat Fitzgerald is 8-3 at Northwestern. He is headed for his eighth bowl in 10 years. Sure, he’s purple for life, but you never know. Call him.

Matt Campbell is 7-4 at Iowa State and beat Oklahoma. Iowa State should never beat Oklahoma. Toledo should never beat Arkansas, but with Campbell it did. Call him.

Beau Baldwin is Cal’s offensive coordinator but, before that, coached Eastern Washington to four FCS semifinals in seven years and won it all in 2010. He also coached Cooper Kupp. Call him.

The Rams had obvious choices a year ago when they canned Jeff Fisher. They called a 30-year-old who had zero name recognition or L.A. connection. Sean McVay has done OK.

Firing a coach is easy. Maybe UCLA will realize that finding the right one, for the long game, is hard, as in $12 million hard.

Maybe not.

What’s next for UCLA football? The Cal Golden Bears

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UCLA (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12) vs. Cal (5-6, 2-6 Pac-12)

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Where: Rose Bowl

TV/Radio: Fox Sports 1/AM 1150 or AM 570

UCLA update: UCLA’s tumultuous season took another wild turn Sunday after the school announced that it had fired sixth-year head coach Jim Mora following UCLA’s 28-23 loss to USC on Saturday. Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch will take over as the Bruins need a win on Friday against Cal to secure bowl eligibility. This will be Fisch’s first time serving as a head coach during his well-traveled coaching career that’s taken him to five NFL teams and five colleges. … Quarterback Josh Rosen threw for 421 yards on Saturday, the most ever for a UCLA quarterback against USC, but also turned the ball over twice in the red zone. … Receiver Jordan Lasley had a career-high 204 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Of his 11 career touchdown receptions, five have been against the Trojans. … UCLA allowed a season-low 153 rushing yards on 41 carries against USC. … Linebacker Kenny Young had nine tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss to lead the UCLA defense.

Cal’s last game: Cal is also fighting for bowl eligibility under first-year head coach Justin Wilcox after the Bears lost to Stanford 17-14 on Saturday. … Cal running back Patrick Laird rushed for 153 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries while quarterback Ross Bowers was 20-for-29 passing for 182 yards and one interception. … Stanford running back and Heisman hopeful Bryce Love rushed for 101 yards on 14 carries with 57 yards coming on a touchdown run in the third quarter that put the Cardinal up 17-6. … In his first year at the helm, Wilcox, a former defensive coordinator at USC, has taken Cal from the worst scoring defense in the Pac-12 to seventh in the conference. The Bears allow 28.3 points a game this year after giving up 42.6 last year.

UCLA still in bowl hunt amid coaching uncertainty

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Jim Mora always wanted to present a strong face for his team. So whenever UCLA took a loss, which it has done often during the past two seasons, the head coach tried to remain defiant and firm in his proclamations that his team would bounce back. After UCLA’s 28-23 loss to USC, the game that eventually ended his UCLA tenure, Mora showed a small dent in his armor.

When asked about how a bowl berth would change the trajectory of the program, Mora paused and darted his eyes to the side.

“If we can pull this thing together,” he said, leaving the door ajar for doubt, “(and) come back with great energy next week … I think it will mean a lot for these young men given the circumstance of this situation.”

The situation used to just be a laundry list of injuries. Now it’s a coaching change.

The Bruins are an underachieving, injury-riddled team hoping to cobble together an unspectacular 6-6 season without a permanent head coach after Mora was fired Sunday.

Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch was named the interim head coach and will lead UCLA (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12) in its regular-season finale against California at home on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Bruins are 5-0 this season at the Rose Bowl, where the Bears have not won since 2009.

UCLA nearly secured bowl eligibility by upsetting USC as 16-point underdogs. The Bruins lost by one score in a game in which they were expected to get throttled. The defense held USC to just 3.7 rushing yards per carry after allowing no fewer than 5.8 yards per carry in any single game earlier this season.

“We weren’t okie dokie to anybody sticking their head here, going out here,” defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said Saturday. “(We were) doing a better with our hands, getting off, taking off. We have some young guys up front, as everybody knows, and they’re playing more, and they get better and better.”

But the Bruins didn’t get the necessary third-and-1 stop in the fourth quarter, allowing Ronald Jones to plow forward for 2 yards and secure the win. UCLA walked out of the Coliseum with its third straight rivalry loss. There were no moral victories.

“It’s no accomplishment losing,” safety Jaleel Wadood said Saturday.

And for Mora, there was no more time.

Jedd Fisch takes over as Bruins push for bowl game

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LOS ANGELES — When Jedd Fisch came to work Sunday morning, the offensive coordinator wasn’t expecting to leave with a new job description.

Fisch adopted the interim head coach position Sunday after UCLA fired Jim Mora, leaving the well-traveled 41-year-old who arrived in Westwood only 10 months ago to steer the Bruins through the final stretch of their tumultuous season. Although Mora is gone, Fisch wants to keep the former head coach’s name attached to this season as the Bruins (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12) try to secure bowl eligibility against Cal at the Rose Bowl on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

“What we said to our team (is) that (we) will leave Coach Mora’s legacy here that out of his six years here, he took five teams to bowl games,” Fisch said Monday, “and that’s what our plan is.”

The first-year offensive coordinator said “it’s been a very sad 24 hours,” since he received the news in a meeting Sunday with athletic director Dan Guerrero and senior associate athletic director Josh Rebholz. Mora met with the team briefly Sunday. He walked into the room at 11:03 a.m., safety Adarius Pickett said. Mora told his players he loved them, appreciated their journey together and wished them the best.

They were shocked.

The Bruins had just lost a close rivalry game to USC, but still held the surging Trojans to just 153 rushing yards, a season-low for the UCLA defense. Mora received a contract extension less than two years ago. The team had been struggling during the past two years, but it is still in the hunt for a bowl game amid an injury-riddled season.

“I thought they were going to give him a chance and stuff like that to overcome some adversity that has hit UCLA in the last couple years,” Pickett said. “But it’s not my decision to make those type of decisions, who gets fired and who doesn’t. My job is to stay and play.”

UCLA hopes to finish 6-0 at the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2005. Not only would it put a perfect punctuation mark on the team’s home slate that started Sept. 3 with the biggest comeback in school history, it would allow UCLA’s seniors finish their careers at home on a high note.

However, it still won’t be the senior night the players were expecting. Mora won’t be there to greet them in the tunnel.

“It’s going to be emotional,” fifth-year senior center Scott Quessenberry said. “It’s going to be tough. … But we’re going to go out there and get a win and we’re excited.”

Video: UCLA puts up fight but falls to USC

Fisch, who has long held head-coaching aspirations, said he’s not focused on making this week an audition for a future job. He called this “by far the hardest challenge” of his coaching career that’s included stops at five NFL teams and five colleges. He will continue to oversee the offense and put the defense in defensive coordinator Tom Bradley’s hands.

Fisch believes it’s his responsibility to help get the team to a bowl game. Anything that happens after the season will be handled later.

“I think that anybody would like to be the head football coach at an extremely prominent university,” Fisch said when asked if he would like to be considered for the permanent head job. “In this case right now, where my mind is, my mind is 100 percent on trying to get our seniors to 6-0 (at home) and to leave Coach Mora’s legacy as one that he was able to get five out of his six teams to bowl games.”

UCLA QB Josh Rosen: ‘All forever indebted’ to Jim Mora

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LOS ANGELES — Josh Rosen had the hot tub, then the golf course, then the shoulder injury. Then just as his profile started to recede this summer, the quarterback took over headlines with comments about academics and athletics published in a Bleacher Report article.

He was attacked through radio waves, TV screens and social media posts for every misstep. Jim Mora defended him every time.

For that, Rosen is grateful.

“We all are forever indebted to him,” the junior said of his former head coach who was fired Sunday. “He has helped me grow up, mature, get closer to becoming a man. I mean, I’ve made a lot of mistakes and he’s always been by my side when I think a lot of people maybe wouldn’t, so it’s not just with me, it’s with everyone on the team. He’s an incredible person, an incredible coach and we’ll definitely miss him.”

Rosen was Mora’s biggest recruiting victory. The former five-star prospect was supposed to vault the Bruins to their first conference championship in nearly two decades after Mora had taken the team to back-to-back 10-win seasons. Instead, Rosen is a mediocre 16-13 as a starter.

“It’s just kind of disappointing because I feel like you come into a program that’s 10-2, 10-2 and 9-3 and you’re doing any- and everything that you can and you just can’t produce the wins that you want to,” Rosen said. “And it’s a bummer because I’m giving everything I have and then some. and to kind of come up on the short side of it time and time and time again is really disappointing.”

Rosen’s UCLA tenure has, so far, come up far short of the lofty expectations he brought to Westwood. The Bruins had the second-worst rushing attack last year as he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. They have the second-worst rushing defense this year. Rosen is widely considered a top pick in this year’s draft if he chooses to declare early, but can barely lift his struggling team to bowl eligibility.

The Bruins (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12) need a victory over Cal at the Rose Bowl in Friday’s regular-season finale to reach the six-win threshold. Despite the shock of losing his coach, the program’s unstable future and constant questions about possibly declaring for the draft, Rosen said he’s focused solely on extending this season with a win Friday.

“I haven’t really talked to my family about that yet,” Rosen said of how UCLA’s future head coach will affect his draft decision. “That will come in the near future, but I mean, everything matters when it comes to a decision like that, so I’ll take up all the different sorts of variables into the equation, but not quite yet.”

The Manhattan Beach native struck up a close relationship with offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch this year. Fisch, the team’s interim head coach, reinvented UCLA’s offense in a season, turning the unit into one of the top passing attacks in the country with Rosen at the helm.

Fisch’s quick rebuild of the Bruin offense could be a good line on his resume to one day push the longtime assistant into a head coaching position. He already has the faith of his players.

“I think he absolutely deserves a shot here or anywhere,” Rosen said of Fisch. “He’s an awesome coach. I mean, his offense this year is incredibly productive and hopefully we can win this last two for him.”

Miller: Jim Mora’s gone from UCLA but his legacy shouldn’t be forgotten

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He never coached a game on Jan. 1, his team finished ranked in the top 10 just once and he lost his final bowl appearance when the opposition scored 30 consecutive points.

As far as Jim Mora’s legacy at UCLA goes, however, all that really matters now this is:

The job he left behind is better than the one he inherited.

Gone are the days when the Bruins offered a coach more obstacles than opportunities.

Gone is the notion that this job looks better from a distance than from the UCLA sideline.

Gone is the idea that this school hires only on the cheap, that one blown to pieces when Mora was given some $12 million to go away.

Oh, yeah, being the football coach in Westwood still offers plenty of challenges, from the academic red flags to the bureaucratic red tape.

But where, exactly, is winning Saturday after Saturday, season after season, a snap? And don’t say Alabama because, there, Nick Saban only makes it look that way.

Like never before in school history, Bruins administrators should be able to search for their next coach today without feeling like they’re selling hand-me-downs.

In his six seasons, Mora didn’t change the culture of Bruins football. But he certainly helped alter the program’s cachet, a fact as glaring and gleaming as all those windows on the school’s new Wasserman Football Center.

The $75 million facility opened in August, officially rendering as prehistoric the days when UCLA practiced by kicking extra points between goalposts made of yellow-painted PVC pipe affixed to a chain-link fence.

The problem with that, of course, was those ancient days still lingered as late as 2011, immediately before the school hired Mora.

A lack of facilities long had been one of UCLA’s shortcomings. That changed when booster Casey Wasserman decided recruits might be lured by something that appeared to have been built after the outlawing of leather helmets.

Two years ago, Mora made what the school called a “major personal financial commitment” to the center, the coach’s success on the field to that point no doubt also contributing to the overall health of the project.

Now that he’s gone, Mora’s replacement will benefit from something Mora’s presence helped make possible, and remember that if the new guy ever complains about having to start with so little.

During his tenure, Mora also pushed for and received additional money to pay assistant coaches, no small development at a time when being the defensive coordinator at Louisville can be a $1.3 million position.

Mora himself had a base salary this season of $3.57 million, nearly three times that of his predecessor, Rick Neuheisel.

While that’s not Clemson or Ohio State money, it still put Mora in the upper half of Power 5 Conference head coaches, a status that shouldn’t change thanks to the $280 million UCLA is receiving from Under Armour.

Winning at this school isn’t easy and never will be easy. But if sustaining big-time success in college football were easy, they’d do it at Texas, Nebraska and Notre Dame.

There are significant issues in sharing the same market with USC and its massive tradition.

But Michigan State couldn’t be any more in the shadow of Michigan and the spunky Spartans – not the revered Wolverines – were the ones in the College Football Playoff most recently.

Honestly, if proximity to a giant really made life that impossible, how did another school from Alabama rise up through the oppressive aura of the Crimson Tide to win the 2010 national title?

Auburn needed Cam Newton – a quarterback who likes to compare himself to Superman – to achieve this bit of history, sure, but the Tigers did make it happen.

And, as for all those ridiculous academic requirements, UCLA has lost 10 consecutive games to Stanford, another school famous for demanding that kids, you know, go to class.

Limiting enrollment to athletes who project to be successful students and move toward a degree might seem outrageous in parts of the SEC. But is that expectation enough to make playing in a New Year’s Day bowl a fantasy?

Besides, the reality is no one – alumni, fans, media – cares about any additional challenges at a place like UCLA.

All that counts is winning, and that goes for every school. They fire their coaches at Ball State, too.

When all of this is pushed into a pile, it isn’t difficult to see why winning a national championship in football at UCLA is an ambitious goal. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only way for a coach to keep his job, either.

What the Bruins need to be is consistently good and occasionally great. That formula would work just about anywhere. It worked at UCLA, in another era, for Terry Donahue.

Through his first three seasons, Mora was on his way. Then it began to unravel until all that was left was an interim head coach and one last game to secure the smallest degree of achievement: bowl eligibility.

It’s disappointing, the way it evaporated as quickly as an eight-clap. But that matters little at this point, especially when compared to what remains.

The head coach’s office might be vacant at UCLA today, but the head coach’s position hardly is empty.


UCLA survives Cal, clinches bowl eligibility on late field goal

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  • UCLA’s Jordan Wilson #87 hauls in a pass during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Jordan Wilson #87 hauls in a pass during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Cal quarterback Ross Bowers #3 during their game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    Cal quarterback Ross Bowers #3 during their game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Theo Howard #14 reacts after scoring on a touchdown reception as teammate Jordan Wilson #87 looks on during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Theo Howard #14 reacts after scoring on a touchdown reception as teammate Jordan Wilson #87 looks on during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen #3 reacts after throwing a first quarter touchdown pass during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen #3 reacts after throwing a first quarter touchdown pass during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Cal’s Kanawai Noa #9 is thrown to the ground by UCLA’s Nate Meadors #22 during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    Cal’s Kanawai Noa #9 is thrown to the ground by UCLA’s Nate Meadors #22 during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Brandon Stephens #20 heads up field as Cal’s Luke Rubenzer #8 dives for the tackle during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Brandon Stephens #20 heads up field as Cal’s Luke Rubenzer #8 dives for the tackle during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Brandon Stephens #20 runs up field as Cal’s Elijah Hicks #3 pursues during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Brandon Stephens #20 runs up field as Cal’s Elijah Hicks #3 pursues during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Jordan Lasley makes one of his 12 catches as Cal’s Camryn Bynum defends during Friday night’s game at the Rose Bowl. Lasley surpassed 200 receiving yards for the second straight week with one touchdown in the Bruins’ 30-27 victory. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Jordan Lasley makes one of his 12 catches as Cal’s Camryn Bynum defends during Friday night’s game at the Rose Bowl. Lasley surpassed 200 receiving yards for the second straight week with one touchdown in the Bruins’ 30-27 victory. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Jordan Lasley #2 looks for some running room as Cal’s Ashtyn Davis #27 moves in during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Jordan Lasley #2 looks for some running room as Cal’s Ashtyn Davis #27 moves in during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Jordan Lasley #2 hauls in a touchdown pass as Cal’s Camryn Bynum #24 defends during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Jordan Lasley #2 hauls in a touchdown pass as Cal’s Camryn Bynum #24 defends during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Jordan Lasley #2 is congratulated by teammates after he scored on a touchdown pass during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Jordan Lasley #2 is congratulated by teammates after he scored on a touchdown pass during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen #3 during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen #3 during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA players mob kicker JJ Molson #17 after he hit a field goal with seconds left in their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA players mob kicker JJ Molson #17 after he hit a field goal with seconds left in their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Audie Omotosho #11 raises his arms after UCLA scored a field goal in the final seconds of their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Audie Omotosho #11 raises his arms after UCLA scored a field goal in the final seconds of their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA coach Jedd Fisch during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA coach Jedd Fisch during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Brandon Stephens #20 is tackled by Cal’s Raymond Davison III #31 during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Brandon Stephens #20 is tackled by Cal’s Raymond Davison III #31 during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Brandon Stephens #20 heads up field as Cal’s Raymond Davison III #31 pursues during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Brandon Stephens #20 heads up field as Cal’s Raymond Davison III #31 pursues during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Jordan Lasley #2 heads up field during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Jordan Lasley #2 heads up field during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Theo Howard #14 dives for some extra yards during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Theo Howard #14 dives for some extra yards during their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Christian Pabico #17 attempts to fight off the tackle of Cal’s Elijah Hicks #3 during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Christian Pabico #17 attempts to fight off the tackle of Cal’s Elijah Hicks #3 during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Adarius Pickett #6 jumps on Jaelan Phillips #15 back after Phillips sacked Cal quarterback Ross Bowers #3 during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Adarius Pickett #6 jumps on Jaelan Phillips #15 back after Phillips sacked Cal quarterback Ross Bowers #3 during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Jaelan Phillips #15 sacks Cal quarterback Ross Bowers #3 during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Jaelan Phillips #15 sacks Cal quarterback Ross Bowers #3 during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA players walk off the field as Cal’s Luke Rubenzer #8 hangs his head after UCLA’s Brandon Stephens #20 scored during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA players walk off the field as Cal’s Luke Rubenzer #8 hangs his head after UCLA’s Brandon Stephens #20 scored during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA quarterback Devon Modster #18 looks to pass during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA quarterback Devon Modster #18 looks to pass during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA’s Jordan Lasley hauls in a pass as Cal’s Camryn Bynum #24 defends during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    UCLA’s Jordan Lasley hauls in a pass as Cal’s Camryn Bynum #24 defends during their game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes is helped off the field after taking a hard hit to the helmet during the first half of an NCAA college football game against California, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

    UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes is helped off the field after taking a hard hit to the helmet during the first half of an NCAA college football game against California, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • UCLA kick off returner Darnay Holmes, left, is upended as California safety Quentin Tartabull tackles him during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles. UCLA won 30-27. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

    UCLA kick off returner Darnay Holmes, left, is upended as California safety Quentin Tartabull tackles him during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles. UCLA won 30-27. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • California wide receiver Jordan Veasy, top, makes a touchdown catch as UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles. UCLA won 30-27. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

    California wide receiver Jordan Veasy, top, makes a touchdown catch as UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles. UCLA won 30-27. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • UCLA running back Brandon Stephens, right, dives in for a touchdown as California safety Luke Rubenzer defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles. UCLA won 30-27. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

    UCLA running back Brandon Stephens, right, dives in for a touchdown as California safety Luke Rubenzer defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles. UCLA won 30-27. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • California running back Patrick Laird, left, tires to run the ball past UCLA defensive lineman Jacob Tuioti-Mariner during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles. UCLA won 30-27. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

    California running back Patrick Laird, left, tires to run the ball past UCLA defensive lineman Jacob Tuioti-Mariner during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles. UCLA won 30-27. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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PASADENA — Jaelan Phillips ripped his helmet off, his curly black hair bouncing as he jumped into his teammates’ arms. A sea of blue and gold flooded onto the Rose Bowl grass from the UCLA sideline. In the chaos, Jedd Fisch, dressed in a gunmetal gray pullover with a matching visor, thrust a fist in the air.

UCLA and its interim head coach had a lot to celebrate Friday night as the Bruins used a last-second field goal from J.J. Molson to hold off Cal 30-27 and secure bowl eligibility while finishing the school’s first undefeated season at home since 2005. All this just six days after the school fired its head coach.

“It was just fun to see those guys just play so hard to get to that bowl and to be able to honor Coach (Jim) Mora’s legacy as he talked all year about getting to that bowl game,” Fisch said. “A sixth win in college football is huge.”

After Cal tied the score at 27-27 with 2:22 to go, the Bruins (6-6, 4-5 Pac-12) drove 55 yards on 10 plays with backup quarterback Devon Modster at the helm to set up Molson’s game-winning field goal. The sophomore, who had never kicked a game-winner in his life before, sent the 37-yard kick straight down the middle.

“Every kicker visualizes a game-winning situation, but you gotta react when it comes up and I’m happy our guys executed when we needed to execute,” Molson said.

Modster, who started the second half after starter Josh Rosen left with an undisclosed injury, threw for 191 yards on 14-for-18 passing.

Rosen was pulled from the game at halftime after taking a hard hit in the final minute of the second quarter. Cal defensive end Alex Funches grabbed the quarterback and spun him to the Rose Bowl turf.

As the half wound down, Rosen, with a large tear in his jersey, talked to trainers on the sideline and slammed his helmet to the ground after the conversation. He was one of the last players in the tunnel before halftime and didn’t return to the field until partway through the third quarter.

Fisch said Rosen’s removal was precautionary, hoping to ensure that the junior would be healthy for UCLA’s bowl game Modster then secured.

“Devon went in there and he did a great job of leading our football team,” Fisch said. “He did a great job of finding ways to get us down there and to be put in that position at 27-all, with 2 minutes and 12 seconds left and the situation we’ve been in all week and not taking a lot of reps in practice, tremendous. Tremendous by everybody.”

Rosen, playing in what might be his final game at the Rose Bowl, torched the Cal defense in the first half as the Bruins built a 17-9 lead at the break. He was 13-for-18 passing for 202 yards and two touchdowns. He fell only 24 yards short of eclipsing Brett Hundley’s single-season record for passing yards, but he could claim the record during the bowl game next month.

Without Rosen, who already missed a game this season because of a concussion, the Bruins went three-and-out on their first two drives of the third quarter. That’s all the time Cal (5-7, 2-7 Pac-12) needed to even the score.

Running back Patrick Laird set up Cal’s first touchdown of the game by converting on fourth-and-2 from the UCLA 21. He hit a massive hole up the middle and rushed for 19 yards. Quarterback Ross Bowers finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown dive on the next play and found Laird for the game-tying two-point conversion.

Modster and the Bruins answered with a six-play, 58-yard touchdown drive on which the redshirt freshman quarterback connected with Jordan Lasley for a 37-yard gain.

Lasley had his second straight 200-yard receiving performance with 227 yards on 12 catches and one touchdown.

UCLA held Cal to only two touchdowns in seven red zone trips. Led by senior Kenny Young’s career-high 15 tackles, the Bruins forced a field goal in the fourth quarter when the Bears had first-and-goal from the UCLA 4-yard line.

“When you get in the red zone and can do what we did there with holding them to field goals, that’s huge,” defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. “But great effort tonight, great energy and focus.”

During a week full of distractions, the Bruins locked in on their single goal of earning another game. They don’t know who will be the team’s next head coach, but they wanted to honor their previous one Friday even if he couldn’t be on the sidelines.

“We feel like we owe this win to Coach Mora,” Fisch said. “We wanted to make sure that he was able to end his legacy as the head coach at UCLA as a guy that led five out of the six teams he coached here to bowl games.”

St. John Bosco’s Stephan Blaylock reflects on championship dreams — and making mom proud

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It was the biggest phone call of his life — a football scholarship offer from UCLA. After hanging up, jubilant St. John Bosco football star Stephan Blaylock celebrated with his coach and his mom.

And then he stared deeply at his reflection in the mirror. He thought about how far he’d come. And how far he still wants to go.

  • St. John Bosco football defensive back Stephen Blaylock in Bellflower Tuesday, November 28, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Press-Telegram/SCNG)

    St. John Bosco football defensive back Stephen Blaylock in Bellflower Tuesday, November 28, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Press-Telegram/SCNG)

  • St. John Bosco football defensive back Stephen Blaylock in Bellflower Tuesday, November 28, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Press-Telegram/SCNG)

    St. John Bosco football defensive back Stephen Blaylock in Bellflower Tuesday, November 28, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Press-Telegram/SCNG)

  • St. John Bosco football defensive back Stephen Blaylock in Bellflower Tuesday, November 28, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Press-Telegram/SCNG)

    St. John Bosco football defensive back Stephen Blaylock in Bellflower Tuesday, November 28, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Press-Telegram/SCNG)

  • St. John Bosco football defensive back Stephen Blaylock in Bellflower Tuesday, November 28, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Press-Telegram/SCNG)

    St. John Bosco football defensive back Stephen Blaylock in Bellflower Tuesday, November 28, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Press-Telegram/SCNG)

  • St. John Bosco football defensive back Stephen Blaylock in Bellflower Tuesday, November 28, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Press-Telegram/SCNG)

    St. John Bosco football defensive back Stephen Blaylock in Bellflower Tuesday, November 28, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Press-Telegram/SCNG)

  • St. John Bosco football defensive back Stephen Blaylock in Bellflower Tuesday, November 28, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Press-Telegram/SCNG)

    St. John Bosco football defensive back Stephen Blaylock in Bellflower Tuesday, November 28, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova Press-Telegram/SCNG)

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Blaylock, raised in Compton and Carson by his single mother, said he usually didn’t allow himself to dream this big. While his football-playing friends boasted of how they’d play in college and the NFL, he kept his thoughts to himself. “I never really saw all this success for myself,” he said.

The senior safety will click off that college dream next year, when he suits up for the Bruins. But he’s got another dream on his more immediate calendar.

Blaylock and his powerhouse Bosco teammates face another school with a high-octane reputation, Mater Dei, in Southern California prep football’s annual classic — the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship, Saturday at Cerritos College at 7:30 p.m.

It’s a big game. But Blaylock’s coach says he’s up to the challenge.

“He’s got all the intangibles of a great player,” said Bosco coach Jason Negro.

Growing up

Blaylock’s mother, Dejavu Perry, never thought about the Pac-12 or the NFL. She just wanted to see her son safe and educated. She directed his focus to schoolwork.

“My mom has always been tough on my because her brothers had been in jail or been hospitalized,” he said. “She just wanted to keep me on the right path.”

Perry worked long hours as a bus driver to provide for her son.

“I just wanted to make sure the house was stable because I knew that would mean a lot to him,” said Perry.

When it came time to pick a high school, Perry went with Bosco because she trusted the coaches would look after her Stephan.

Since arriving on campus he’s blossomed, earning high ratings from recruiters and strong praise from his coaches.

“He’s a real coachable, really intelligent kid who works his butt off,” said Negro.

The phone call

Despite the success Blaylock carved out at Bosco, scholarship offers were slow in coming. Finally, Negro called him into his office and said that then-UCLA head coach Jim Mora wanted to talk to him.

Mora offered a full scholarship. “For a kid like Stephan that moment changes his life,” said Negro. “It was a tearjerker—he got choked up, I got choked up. The best part of that moment for me was when he called his mom and told her he’d achieved their dream.”

Said Perry, his mother: “It was very emotional. As soon as we were both home we were just celebrating. That moment was everything for us. The best moment ever.”

And Blaylock: “I knew that she wouldn’t be able to pay for college, and nobody in my family had been to college before. I was tearing up, she was tearing up.

“It was amazing.”

Next year

Since he was a kid, Blaylock has spent time looking in the mirror, thinking about his goals. He’s achieved many of them already, but has plenty left on the list. First, he wants to win Saturday. Next, he aims to help defend the Braves’ state championship.

Next year, he’s planning on enrolling at UCLA despite the high-profile coaching change that made headlines — and left the man who snared Blaylock standing on the sidelines after his sudden ouster.

Former Oregon coach Chip Kelly, one of the best-known names in college football and the man who led the Ducks to a berth in the national championship game before skipping off to the NFL, was hired.

“I was surprised Mora got fired,” Blaylock said, “but I love Chip Kelly.”

Blaylock would love to play in the NFL some day, but isn’t pinning his future on it. And, of course, first things first.

“I don’t really look at the NFL like that,” he said. “Sometimes it’s just not realistic—I just want to graduate college and find a good career.”

Mom must like the sound of that.

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