Pasadena, CA – The UCLA football team started the year off with a 1-5 record and looked flat heading into their week seven game vs. Rutgers. Since then, the Bruins have gone 4-2 in their last six games, including a 20-13 win over Fresno State to end their season on a high note.
It was senior day for the Bruins and for UCLA team captains Ethan Garbers and Carson Schwesinger, it was potentially the final time they’d step foot on the Rose Bowl as UCLA Bruins.
The Bruins trailed at the half as Fresno State came out and put up a 10-point second quarter to go into halftime with a 10-6 lead. UCLA head coach Deshaun Foster said he was proud of the response his team had in the second half.
“This game went very similar to how our season went. We had a few ups and downs, but my guys are very resilient. They’ve continued to play hard. They don’t let things affect them. I’m just blessed that I had the type of team that just continues to fight. We came out of the half and scored some points and got it going,” Foster said.
UCLA had a big game from senior tight end Moliki Matavao. He finished the game with a season-high in receptions and receiving yards. Matavao had eight catches for 120 yards in the win over Fresno State.
“Just the bonds that we have with this team. Especially this senior group, we’re all really close both on and off the field,” Matavao said. “It’s just awesome seeing us all success, especially after this last game. We started off slow, but we came out after halftime. It was fun to see everyone do their part, do their job, and come out with a victory.”
In a surprising turn of events for UCLA, it wasn’t running back TJ Harden taking the majority of the snaps for the Bruins. It was Anthony Frias II who took a majority of the carries. Frias II transferred over from Kansas State in 2023 and in his second year with the program. It was a game to remember for Frias II as he had a career high in carries and yards. He had 13 carries for 46 yards.
Foster said it was the next man up mentality that led to Frias II being ready for the moment.
“TJ [Harden] missed the last two days because he was sick. That was one guy that was out. Keegan [Jones] was already nursing an ankle. That was unfortunate. Next man mentality, we were down to our fourth left tackle, next man up. We were down to our third running back – next man up. It’s more about how he practices every day and prepares to play like he is starting. It was exciting that he finally got his shot. When his number was called he was able to capitalize and make some plays for us,” Foster added.
With the Bruins sitting at 5-7 record, they aren’t bowl eligible, but Foster said he’s excited to head into the offseason.
“We’d love to be in a bowl game, but it’s unfortunate that we came up a game short. Just building the team. They’ll be able to get some rest. I think it will help them. When they come back, they’ll be eager to get going,” Foster noted. “I’m looking forward to this offseason, building a roster with high school kids and a couple of portal players. I’m just excited that we were able to send my seniors off the right way with a victory.”
