Pasadena, Ca – Josh Rosen takes UCLA to the victory column with no interceptions in 42-21 win over the visiting UNLV Rebels at the Rose Bowl.
This UCLA football team will go as far Josh Rosen will take them, going 23/38 for 267 yards and no interceptions. Just think what the score and his yardage would have been if his deep balls were caught in this game. The offense as a whole protected better only allowing 1 sack of Rosen.
Establishing the running game was evident by new offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu who featured Soso Jamabo the starter again this week. Jamabo showed why last year he was such a top recruit scoring three touchdown and 90 yards on 11 carries. His speed was too much for the Rebels to handle when he hit the corner gliding past defenders. Bruins as a team had 233 yards rushing on 40 carries for 5 yard average.
At the half the score was only 28-14, but the Rebels lost the coin toss that the Bruins deferred to second half. This added more pressure to UNLV defense to step up and keep the game close in second half. They kept the Bruins out endzone in third quarter but gave up 14 points in the closing quarter.
This was a great confidence booster for the Bruins, head coach Jim Mora said, “it’s always great to get some guys in the game who worked so hard and deserve to play..”
One of those guys who’s been working hard to be a contributed was wide receiver Jordan Lasley who came up with three big catches for first downs, 61 yards to keep drives alive in the game. With Rosen hitting fourteen different receivers in the game it’s a little tough fitting for game reps not to mention passes thrown in your direction.
Number 42 is retired now at UCLA across all sports but players were allowed to finish out their careers with it. Linebacker Kenny Young is make the best of it having a solid game leading the team with five solo tackles, 2 assist, a tackle for a loss and a timely sack. The D was able to create two interceptions on Rebels quarterback Johnny Stanton.
Now the UCLA Bruins will look to get some guys back healthy and travel to face the BYU Cougars on September 17th, at 7:15pm.
