The Victory Bell, which goes to the winner of the annual Crosstown Rivalry football clash, painted blue due to UCLA’s win over USC this year…
IT WAS JUST ANNOUNCED:
And – I must admit as I won’t lie – as a Bruin alum this is very good news from a personal standpoint…
UCLA’s website, UCLABruins.com, has reported that the Bruin athletic program has won this year’s annual Crosstown Cup, the year-long competition with rival USC spanning the nineteen sports where SoCal’s two largest institutions of higher learning compete against each other,
By a score of 120-70, which tied the Bruins’ record for points in this rivalry competition.
And which is UCLA’s second Crosstown Cup win in the past three years and ninth over their Trojan rivals in the past twenty-three years that this all-sports clash has been held.
“A dominant Crosstown Cup win just adds to (UCLA Athletics) tremendous year,” Bruin athletic director Martin Jarmond commented. “We’re excited to be holding bragging rights while introducing the Big Ten to this all-time great rivalry next season.”
And on a personal note regarding the Bruins’ and Trojans’ move to the Big Ten Conference, which I’ll write about on this blog this summer,
It looks like Michigan and Ohio State will have some real competition for the title of the Big Ten’s biggest rivalry as while UCLA and USC are only twelve miles apart in the same city,
The Wolverines’ and Buckeyes’ homes are located 188 miles apart.
Across two different states.
I certainly feel fortunate and blessed to have seen and, being that I was in the UCLA Marching Band during my days in Westwood,
Have been a part of this unique, Verona-style, Montague vs Capulet-like rivalry as a student and have witnessed many classic clashes across several sports over the years;
I’ll likewise write about that in detail on this blog soon.
As for how the points are distributed…
Ten points are awarded for each sport; if one school wins their majority of contests over the other in a series, i.e., the three games that the Bruins and Trojans played against each other in baseball, that school wins all ten points.
If an even number of games were played and the two schools won an equal number of such contests, they split the ten available points and are awarded five points each, as UCLA’s and USC’s men’s basketball teams did this year.
UCLA won 23 of the 37 total games and in eleven of the 19 sports that they played over USC;
The Bruin sports that triumphed over the Trojans (and vice-versa) listed below…
Joe Bruin, UCLA’s mascot…
USC’s Kayla Padilla (#45) and JuJu Watkins (#12) contesting UCLA’s Charisma Osborne (#20) during the sold-out women’s basketball version of the Crosstown Rivalry Clash in Pauley Pavilion this past season…
USC’s iconic symbols, Traveler ridden by Tommy Trojan along with the USC Marching Band…
Sports where UCLA beat USC and earned ten points:
Football
Baseball
Women’s Soccer
Women’s Water Polo
Men’s Water Polo
Men’s Volleyball
Men’s Golf
Women’s Golf
Women’s Cross Country
Women’s Tennis
Men’s Tennis
Sports where USC beat UCLA and earned ten points:
Women’s Basketball
Beach Volleyball
Men’s Track and Field
Women’s Track and Field
Women’s Rowing
Women’s Swim and Dive
Sports where the two schools split the ten available points:
Men’s Basketball
Women’s Volleyball
UCLA Football getting ready to do battle at the Rose Bowl…
Some of the current members of the UCLA gymnastics team…
WATCHING THAT HONOR TO BRUIN NATION IN THEIR LAST EVER CONFERENCE HOME MEET
For reasons that I’m unable to go into right now, but may be able to at a later time,
I was unable to go see my favorite team in the sports universe – the women’s gymnastics team at UCLA – in action this season.
That is, until this past Sunday when I ventured to Westwood and Pauley Pavilion to check out those Bruin gymnasts in their battle with a Cal Berkeley Golden Bear team that has been flat-out surging these past few seasons and, both in all honesty and for all intents and purposes, has surpassed the Bruins as far as overall performance and results.
Which was more than confirmed by the end of the meet between the U.C. system’s two flagship schools,
But we’ll get to that.
I arrived at Pauley when the doors opened an hour before the meet began, going down to the floor level to say hello to various people I knew, including an usher who is dear to me and my Bruin Nation friends, other ushers who I’ve known for years, two former Bruin gymnasts who now cover meets in the media, one of them for the Pac-12 Network, and some other familiar faces along with a few of the gymnasts and one of the coaches.
It was fun seeing everyone again.
As for the meet itself – long story short…
In a nutshell, even though the Bruins did quite well in scoring a 197.775, which included several near-perfect 9.95s,
By the end of the meet, it was crystal clear that their Golden Bear sisters were simply the better team in scoring a 198.400,
Which included a perfect ten on the floor exercise and another perfect ten and a 9.975 on the beam,
Which after those stellar scores on that beam led me to go, “That’s it, we’re done!”
And to not only remark to the Cal fans I encountered that their team was better than the Bruins, which I fully admitted and accepted,
I told them that they had a legitimate shot at dethroning super dynasty Oklahoma, who has won I-don’t-know how many national championships in a row.
And that if UCLA didn’t win the “Natty” this year, I hoped that those Golden Bears would.
As it turned out, I had as much fun after the meet as I did before and during as I ventured over to the Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center and Hotel next door to Pauley, where the gymnasts and their families as well as the coaches and quite a few fans hang out and eat at Plateia, the restaurant that’s featured there.
I was able to say hello to several current and former Bruin Gymnasts as well as some of the Cal gymnasts’ fans and parents, which was a good experience.
I particularly liked how the Bruin gymnasts, past and present, exude so much love and solidarity among each other; I found myself taking photos for some of them, using their cellphones to capture such love.
This season’s UCLA Gymnastics’ introduction video that’s shown before every home meet (click on the link)
The inevitable question – what about UCLA’s chances at any kind of a championship, national or otherwise?
After watching their meet, as solid of a team as they are I was, once and for all, convinced of one thing…
They miss three key Bruin gymnasts.
One of them, Emma Malabuyo, missed the past two meets, including this Cal meet, due to her going for the upcoming Olympics in Paris this summer as she’s vying to make the Philippines’ Olympic team;
At least she’s slated to return for the upcoming meet vs Stanford, however.
Another key Bruin gymnast, Ana Padurariu, has taken a leave of absence as she’s training to try and make the Canadian Olympic team.
But it’s the third Bruin gymnast, Jordan Chiles, who’s doing the same thing in trying to make the U.S. team, that those Bruins really miss as if those three gymnasts were available,
UCLA would be very strong contenders for Four-On-The-Floor at Nationals, the equivalent of basketball’s Final Four for women’s college gymnastics.
As such, those Bruin gymnasts are good enough to where I have them in the Regionals,
Especially if they achieve scores of 198+ in at least one of their remaining three regular season meets and give a GREAT showing at the Pac-12 Championships.
After that, it remains to be seen; I’ll certainly have a clearer view of their fate in a few weeks.
As such,
It was a good time seeing them at what was their final meet vs Cal – at least for the time being – as they will be in different conferences next year.
i only hope that the two schools arrange to keep this U.C. rivalry.
In any case,
No matter what happens, they will always be an honor to Bruin Nation in my book.
This season’s Bruin gymnasts posing in front of the Bruin Bear statue…
THOUGHTS FROM A UCLA ALUM REGARDING THE BRUINS’ NEW FOOTBALL COACH
Yes, like everyone else in Bruin Nation,
I found out about athletic director Martin Jarmond hiring the former Bruin football legend, UCLA Athletics Hall of Famer, and longtime assistant this morning on TV.
My first prevalent thought about DeShaun Foster becoming the fourth UCLA alum to lead the Bruin football program after Terry Donahue (RIP), Karl Dorrell and Rick Neuheisel was that due to his being popular among the players as the running backs coach,
And judging from the video I saw on X (formerly Twitter) of the players cheering and hugging him after Jarmond announced his hiring,
This former Bruin football great, who had back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons at running back in Westwood in 2000 and 2001, was the players’ choice to succeed Chip Kelly.
Which I’m glad about, as it makes the chances of an exodus of players hitting the transfer portal smaller.
There are four things in particular that I want to see Foster do first as UCLA football’s new head man…
HIRE KEN NORTON, JR. AS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR. NOW.
I had this fellow Bruin football legend as one of my two choices to replace Kelly, which I had mentioned earlier this month on this blog.
Being the new defensive coordinator would be the next best thing with his twenty years experience being such on two NFL teams.
Plus, along with Foster, Norton gets it.
He gets being a Bruin, and what wearing those four letters and those true blue and gold colors is all about.
And along with Foster, who is from Tustin, Norton is a local, (from Westchester High) which will be a clear plus in recruiting.
With two Bruin football legends leading that program,
While it may not happen this coming season,
The chances of their (and my) alma mater’s football team going to the upper echelon of and being strong contenders in the Big Ten along with contenders for the College Football Playoff will grow in 2025 and down the road.
NOTE: It has just been reported that Norton is leaving UCLA to become the linebackers’ coach of the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
I would still like Foster to go after this fellow Bruin football alum and at least try to convince him to come back to Westwood; make him associate head coach if needs be as well as the defensive coordinator.
BRING BACK THE TRADITION OF THE TEAM WALKING THROUGH THE TAILGATERS OUTSIDE THE ROSE BOWL BEFORE GAMES
I was unhappy when Kelly dumped that tradition, as it gave the impression of him not really caring about the fans and him not really wanting his team to, either.
Foster needs to bring that back, starting on September 14th vs Indiana at the Rose Bowl, which will happen to be UCLA’s very first game as a member of the Big Ten Conference.
RECRUIT, RECRUIT, RECRUIT!
This was something that Kelly was absolutely lousy at doing; he would have gotten an “F-Minus” in recruiting if it were a college course as he simply hated doing such and didn’t want to do it.
Which manifested in the lowest recruiting class rankings in program history.
Which Foster and whoever he hires or retains on his staff absolutely must do an 180-degree turn on.
Preferably starting today.
BE OUTGOING, PERSONABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE STUDENTS, THE FANS, AND ESPECIALLY THE ALUMNI AND THE BOOSTERS
Again, Kelly was lousy at this.
While I can only speak for myself, the now ex-UCLA coach gave me the impression of someone who just plain didn’t give a care as far as interacting with Bruin Nation, particularly the alums and the boosters.
I knew he had the reputation of being strictly an X’s and O’s guy who simply wanted to coach and was uncomfortable with schmoozing or interacting with the fan base, which is fine;
Except for the fact that schmoozing and interacting with the boosters and alums in particular, especially in this Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) era, is now a significant part of a head coach’s job.
A good, outgoing, accessible relationship with Bruin Nation will be crucial to Foster and his staff if they want to have any chance at the support for the team – and attendance at the Rose Bowl increasing – improving.
In other words, much like in recruting,
Foster and his staff must enact a 180 degree approach from Kelly.
The bottom line of what I think about this hire…
I like it!
At least for now and going forward.
Unlike seemingly too many of my fellow Bruin Nation members, I won’t expect anything great this coming fall.
In fact, if those Bruins win six games and get to a bowl, Foster will deserve major consideration for Big Ten Coach of the Year if not actually win that honor.
As such, I expect no more than three or four wins in 2024.
But I do expect the program to grow after that.
I’m certainly looking forward to how this former UCLA football legend does in what is his first head coaching job.
Another important part of Foster’s new job, which he has long been fully aware of…KEEPING THIS BELL BLUE.
The now former head football coach at UCLA after six seasons. RECORD: 35-34
THIS JUST IN – and I mean that literally as I found out about this roughly a couple of hours ago while on Facebook…
The speculation was there and increasing the past week or so;
Reports were that he was interviewing for various coordinator jobs in both the NFL and at the college level.
And as it turned out, he has done it as Chip Kelly informed his Bruin football team during a meeting this morning (as of this writing) that he will no longer be their coach;
He will be in Columbus next year as the offensive coordinator at Ohio State.
Everyone else will be writing about how his record was one of the worst in UCLA football history and how more than anything else, he had the air of someone who didn’t really want to be in Westwood,
Someone who, as a friend said more than once, was “Just there to collect a paycheck”.
Someone who never really fit in Bruin Nation and its culture.
Which is why I won’t dwell on that.
As for my personal feelings about Chip Kelly being gone and Chip Kelly in general…
Like more or less every other Bruin, I was excited when he was hired at the end of the 2017 season, reckoning that the success he had at Oregon would be duplicated at UCLA with visions of Pac-12 Championships, Rose Bowl games, and – I dare say it – appearances in the College Football Playoff dancing in my head.
That changed after his very first game – Cincinnati at home,
Which an underdog Bearcats team won 26-17 over a Bruin team that except for a 75-yard touchdown run by Kazmeir Allen looked very sluggish and made stupid mistakes that Pop Warner teams full of ten-year olds wouldn’t make, like getting penalized for having too many players on the field AFTER they had called a time out.
I was one very upset Bruin leaving the Rose Bowl that evening.
The fact that Kelly had ended the tradition of the team walking through the tailgaters on the way to the Rose Bowl,
And not keeping the Victory Bell in the Morgan Center for everyone to enjoy,
Said to me that he didn’t give a care about Bruin Nation, that we – the students, fans, and alums – didn’t matter.
That the Bruins record of 10-21 his first three seasons – the worst three year span in nearly 100 years, which included among other things a loss to San Diego State for the first time ever (I should know – I was there),
Only solidified my not necessarily being a big fan of his.
This past November after UCLA’s despicable loss to Cal, two weeks after their despicable loss to Arizona State, both of those disasters coming at home (and book ending the win over USC, but that was both besides the point and an aberration),
I posted on this blog two people who I would very much like to see as the next Bruin football coach as I had joined everyone else in calling for Kelly’s dismissal;
With all the speculating talk this past week or so,
I re-posted this piece on X (formerly Twitter) and a few of UCLA’s fan pages on Facebook, getting a lot of reads and comments disagreeing with my choices.
Which is okay, as that hasn’t changed my opinion of who I want as the next head man in Westwood;
To find out who those two choices are, click on the above link and read on.
Anyhow…
The deed is done.
Chip Kelly is gone and moving on.
And while it would be great if whoever is hired to take over can galvanize the program and lead them to a successful first Big Ten season,
The way things are going, it’s too difficult for me to guarantee such.
In fact,
I will soon write an opinion post explaining my view of why, after over three and a half decades as an official member of Bruin Nation, four decades as a plain old fan, and over five decades being connected to UCLA in some form as my mother is an alum, which means I was a Bruin legacy since the age of two,
I’ve at long last realized that UCLA is not a true football school, has never been one, and will never really be one on the level of the Alabamas, Michigans, Ohio States, Georgias, and USCs out there.
And why it would be surprising but not a complete 100,000% shock to me if I saw a certain article regarding the future of Bruin football,
Which I will specify when I write and post the article on this blog.
Until then,
I and the rest of Bruin Nation can officially say goodbye to Chip;
Most people will say good riddance.
But strangely enough, I won’t.
That kind of “Ding dong, the witch is (gone)” animosity is simply not worth it to me.
Instead, I’ll wish him well and God Bless.
And in the meantime, continue to look forward to pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training in the next few days; the Dodgers’ pitchers and catchers reporting on the 9th at Camelback Ranch while the Angels’ pitchers and catchers report to Tempe on the 14th.
I reckon you thought I would say I was looking forward to watching the Super Bowl, did you?
FOR THE RECORD: I have the Kansas City Chiefs winning, because it’s too hard to disregard Patrick Mahomes, his abilities, and the impact that he has had as the Chiefs’ QB.
Plus as well as Brock Purdy as played for the San Francisco 49ers, Mahomes is simply better.
The Bruin Gymnasts’ annual “4s Up” pic by the Bruin Bear statue. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
UCLA WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS – 2023 SEASON AT A GLANCE
Record: 20-8-2, 4-1-2 and tied for first place in the Pac-12 Conference
PAC-12 CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON CO-CHAMPIONS
Finished in second place at the Pac-12 Championships
Finished first in the second round of the NCAA Los Angeles Regionals with a score of 198.275
Finished second in the NCAA Los Angeles Regional Finals with a score of 197.925
Finished third in the NCAA National Semi-Finals (second session) with a score of 197.9125
Final National Rank: Fifth
Season Average Score: 197.774
Season High Score: 198.275, vs Iowa State on March 11th and in the second round of the NCAA Regionals on March 30th
Total number of scores of 9.95 and above: 66, led by Jordan Chiles’ 33
Number of perfect tens: SIX – Jordan Chiles with five and Selena Harris with one
2024 PRESEASON RANK: Fifth
Coach: Janelle McDonald, second season
First Meet: Saturday, January 6th at Mean Girls Super 16 Gymnastics Championships in Las Vegas, NV vs Alabama, Auburn, & California
First Home Meet: Saturday, January 27th vs Washington
Other Home Meets:
Sunday, February 4th vs Arizona
Monday, February 19th vs Utah
Sunday, February 25th vs California
Saturday, March 16th vs Clemson
Key Gymnasts:
Selena Harris (Soph):
With 15 scores of 9.95+, including seven of them on the balance beam and a perfect ten on the vault at the Regional Finals at Pauley, this number recruit did not disappoint in her first season in Westwood as she will be counted on even more this year.
Chae Campbell (Sr):
This senior dazzled on the floor in particular in 2023, scoring 9.95 six times in that event as well as being stellar on the vault as well; her leadership will be essential, as will this next Bruin Gymnast…
Margzetta Frazier (Gr):
I was happily shocked when this charismatic Bruin – who is the last UCLA gymnast from the “Miss Val”, (Valorie Kondos Field) era – returned to Westwood last year. And I’m even more happily shocked at her return this year as her 9.95s on the floor in the Regional Finals and the National Semifinals showed that she still has quite a bit left in the tank. With her longevity, she will be another coach out there.
Emma Malabuyo (Jr):
This member of the Philippines’ National Team – she has announced that she will be missing the Utah and Cal meets in February to participate in their meets – has been dependable on the beam with her three scores of 9.95, two of them coming in the postseason.
Brooklyn Moors (Jr):
Though she was hurt nearly all last season until the Regionals and Nationals, this Canadian’s two 9.90 scores on the vault during the L.A. Regional showed that she is more than capable, and will be counted on this season on the vault and the floor.
Ciena Alipio (Soph):
She was steady on the beam last season, posting scores of 9.80+ in all but two meets, and she will be depended on for a steady presence this year.
Chloe Lashbrooke (RS Sr):
After missing all but three meets last season and being injured for much of the previous two years, this Bruin is chomping at the bit to show what she can do and to contribute, and I expect her to impress, much like this next red shirt senior….
Emma Andres (RS Sr):
Missed all of last year due to injury. Her prowess on the floor in particular makes me quite optimistic about her bounce back, however.
Frida Esparza (Sr):
Like Andres, Esparza missed all of last year due to injury, but she’s ready to contribute this season and I expect her to do well.
Emily Lee (Jr):
This Bruin did a good job on the beam, scoring 9.90 or better eight times in that event, including a 9.95 against Iowa State. She will be counted on to provide good scores on that apparatus this year.
Nya Reed (Gr):
Transferring from national power Florida, this new Bruin impressed at the “Meet The Bruins” event with a floor routine that honored her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta. She will undoubtedly dazzle there as well as provide leadership for the team.
Early preparation for a meet. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
More 4’s Ups during practice. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
THOUGHTS:
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unfortunately unable to attend the preseason “Meet The Bruins” event in Pauley Pavilion last month.
However,
I did have the fortune to witness a preseason practice this past October,
And though it was the preseason and those Bruin gymnasts were immersed in their “Spring Training” and “Training Camp” mode,
The routines they were performing looked quite good; I was very impressed.
Particularly on the vault as unlike last season, they have added new routines with a 10.0 start value that will no doubt help them, the vault having been somewhat of a weak link throughout much of 2023.
Janelle McDonald was exactly what those Bruins needed in her first year as head coach, her enthusiasm did much to propel UCLA to a Pac-12 co-championship and a berth in the Nationals for the first time since 2019.
Of course I expect to see more of that youthful enthusiasm from her and her staff this year,
Especially since both Jordan Chiles and Ana Padurariu will be sitting this college gymnastics season out to prepare for the Olympic Trials in hopes of becoming Olympians for the U.S. (in Chiles’ case) and Canada (In Padurariu’s case),
Which was why Nya Reed was a Godsend as she’s set to fill in for Chiles, which I expect her to do rather neatly.
The freshmen – Sydney Barros, Katelyn Rosen, Alex Irvine, and Paige Anastasi – are also expected to significantly contribute to the Bruins as they being their final season in the Pac-12, UCLA slated to become a Big ten Conference school next year.
As for their chances this season – at least in my view…
Much like in other years, it comes down to this,
The healthier those Bruin Gymnasts are, the better their chances for a national championship.
They certainly have the talent to be one of the teams in the “Four on the Floor” finals at Nationals, and they are certainly talented enough to take on and beat Utah, Florida, and (especially!) Oklahoma;
They just have to stay healthy as the last time that happened, they won the 2018 “natty” in an epic fashion.
Go to YouTube and type “UCLA Gymnastics 2018 Nationals” on the search bar for proof.
As always, I’m very much looking forward to watching this honor to Bruin Nation and my favorite team in sports this year, as I have been for the past twenty-plus years.
I regret missing the “Meet The Bruins” event,
Which is why I’ll be sure to see at least one of their meets in Pauley, preferably against Utah and Cal.
Giving the crowd an “8-Clap” after the recent “Meet The Bruins” event. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
UCLA’s Londynn Jones (#3) driving on USC’s McKenzie Forbes (#25) during their first Crosstown Rivalry Clash of the season. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
ON THE SECOND TO LAST DAY OF 2023,
THE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAMS FROM THE TWO LARGEST INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN SO CAL HELD A HISTORICALLY EPIC CROSSTOWN RIVALRY CLASH AT UCLA’S PAULEY PAVILION.
AND I WAS THERE.
In case you missed it because you were too caught up in the College Football Playoff games or some New Year’s Eve revelry in general…
In late November, when both UCLA’s and USC’s women’s basketball teams found themselves off to great starts and on a collision course to clash for the first time in the 2023-24 season at Pauley Pavilion,
I knew I had to be there.
Especially when I found that with undefeated records and ranks of second (UCLA) and sixth (USC), this particular Crosstown Rivalry game was the first time that,
Those Bruins and Trojans have met while undefeated – EVER!
Those Bruins and Trojans have met while both teams were ranked since 1985, and…
Those Bruins and Trojans have met while both teams were ranked in the top ten since 1981!
For perspective, I was in the eighth grade when that happened!
I was fully aware of the historical significance of this game and how it would give a big boost to women’s basketball in general, being that with the Lakers, the Clippers, and the male basketball counterparts at both ‘SC and UCLA having rather mediocre years to date,
It was quite clear that those Lady Bruins, especially after what unfolded at Pauley Pavilion that Saturday night, were the best basketball team in So Cal with those Women of Troy clearly So Cal’s second best hoops squad.
At least for now.
So there I was standing in a very long line outside of Pauley that chilly-with-a-threat-of-rain Saturday afternoon with 13,658 other fans – the largest crowd to ever see a women’s basketball game at UCLA and (I’m sure) anywhere else in So Cal – roughly 90% of them members of Bruin Nation while the remaining 10% were from the Trojan Family, feeling a little disappointed that I hadn’t got there earlier but also thinking as the line stretched past the Wooden Center, me standing in front the statue of the greatest coach in the history of sports;
(That’s John Wooden for all those who had spent the past sixty years under a rock on Mars)
“It could have been worse.”
JuJu Watkins, USC’s phenomenal freshman star and this season’s top recruit who’s lived up to the hype so far. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
McKenzie Forbes (#25), who scored 23 points on Saturday. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
THEY PAVED THE WAY: UCLA women’s basketball alumnae celebrating the Bruins’ legacy at halftime. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
Bruins celebrating a key moment in their Crosstown Rivalry Clash. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
I made it to Pauley and my seat behind and to the side of the baseline, and settled in to not only see if this #2 vs #6 clash would live up to the hype,
But also if those Bruins in particular – me being a UCLA alum and all – were truly legit in my mind, or a mere fraud.
To put it simply,
That Bruin-Trojan clash was very successful in living up to the hype it generated, with them being undefeated and ranked in the nation’s top six.
Everyone in blue and gold, as well as cardinal and gold, was appropriately pumped with a DJ spinning tunes and a host talking things up throughout the contest.
AS FOR THE GAME ITSELF…
As UCLA scored the first eight points and twelve out of the game’s first 14 points, only to see ‘SC take a brief lead before the Bruins took a one-point lead at halftime,
Then stepping up their defense and hitting some CLUTCH shots in the second half, making Bruin Nation happy and proud with their 71-64 triumph,
As much as I was appropriately glad over a UCLA team beating ‘SC, there were three things that were prominent in my mind after it all ended,
As well as they played, I felt those Bruins could have played better as they missed way too many easy lay-ups in the first half, letting those Trojans into the game after taking their initial ten-point lead
Two USC players, JuJu Watkins and McKenzie Forbes, scored fifty of their team’s 64 points while there were four UCLA players in double figures, led by Londynn Jones’ 21 points – which meant that the Bruins were more balanced and have more balance in their scoring, as well as more depth.
and…
While Bruin Nation should be ecstatic over the win – I know I was – they should also keep in mind that there will be a rematch between those two crosstown rivals at the Galen Center on USC’s campus, on January 14th.
As sure as I’m typing this,
That Galen Center will be packed to capacity, much like Pauley Pavilion was.
And with them having lost to the Bruins, those Trojans will now have a factor that will very much play into their favor…
REVENGE.
Which is why that Trojan Family will be as hyped as the Bruin Nation was,
And which was why I was telling fellow Bruins to enjoy the win, but remember the upcoming rematch.
As such,
In stating the obvious, I had a good time watching my alma mater’s women’s basketball team prove themselves to me;
It was a very nice way to close 2023.
And of course it should go without saying that the rematch on the 14th of this month will probably attract more attention than the first clash was.
A great shot of the record 13,659 that witnessed the recent women’s basketball version of the Crosstown Rivalry clash; I can see me in the lower left hand corner wearing a blue baseball cap! Photo courtesy of twitter.com
The Bruins’ MVP for 2023. Photo courtesy of latimes.com
Analysis and Thoughts:
After what transpired the last four weeks of the season,
To say that the Bruin Nation’s level of frustration is pronounced would be an understatement, as illustrated by the many social media posts and the banners flying over Westwood and the UCLA campus saying,
“FIRE CHIP KELLY”
Even beating USC and getting the Victory Bell back to Westwood and painted blue lost its luster the next week, when those Bruins exuded a significant let down in losing to a Cal team that they were heavily favored to beat.
And in my book, that wasn’t even UCLA’s worst loss as Arizona State, a team that ended up tied for the worst record in the conference at 3-9, manhandled the Bruins’ offense in allowing only seven points (as did Cal two weeks later).
Despite all the heat that was thrown at him, I don’t completely blame Dante Moore for UCLA’s offensive troubles as his pick-sixes and other costly mistakes were the case of a true freshman quarterback playing exactly like he was,
A true freshman.
When I think about it, I really can’t blame him too much for entering the transfer portal as I could tell by watching him against Cal that he was not only a deer in the headlights and in over his head;
He also gave the impression of someone who didn’t really want to be there and who was just going through the motions.
It was and is clear to me that he needs a fresh start, and I do wish him well.
More than anything else, it was an offensive performance by the offensive line that was the root of the Bruins’ sub-par performance on offense,
Along with some very questionable play calling and other mistakes by coach Chip Kelly that cost UCLA games,
Which may be a factor in Moore and the growing number of teammates that have entered the transfer portal and are leaving Westwood.
The biggest blow, however, was losing defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, the man responsible for the Bruin turnaround on that side of the ball to – of all teams – crosstown rival USC;
Two million dollars a season, as opposed to the one million dollars that Lynn was getting, will get someone to change crosstown loyalties rather quickly.
My Bottom Line…
It’s pretty crystal clear and obvious that Bruin Nation is pretty down on this football team,
To the point that I would be very much shocked if more than 20% of the fans at the L.A. Bowl at SoFi Stadium, located only 13 miles from UCLA, on December 16th are Bruin fans as it would not be surprising if Boise State fans overwhelm that state-of-the-art place.
It seems to me that all but the most die hard of die hard UCLA fans will stay away.
Which is honestly not surprising.
And also sad, considering they will be in a Big Ten Conference that, if things don’t change with all warp speed,
Will likely be a conference of horrors for the Bruins and Bruin Nation.
By the way – don’t be surprised if UCLA loses to Boise State in that L.A. Bowl;
I won’t be surprised if such comes to pass.
As for me,
I’m going to get hyped for women’s gymnastics, as once again I’ll be looking to them to restore my good feelings of being a Bruin after the football failures,
And a women’s basketball team that is ranked second in the nation, has beaten elite blue blood Connecticut, and is on a collision course for what – if both teams remain undefeated – will be an epic scale crosstown rivalry clash with sixth ranked USC on December 30th.
Bruins celebrating victory in last month’s Crosstown Rivalry Clash. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
Approximately 95% of Bruin Nation – at the bare minimum – wants this man gone…
MY OPINION REGARDING WHO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BECOME THE NEXT BRUIN COACH
Normally I don’t like to write about UCLA sports, football or otherwise, after the Crosstown Rivalry coverage – at least until I post the football season wrap-up in December or early January.
But this is too significant an issue to let go by as I was looking at a UCLA football fan Twitter (X) post just now,
And at least ninety-five percent of the comments said the same thing…
FIRE CHIP KELLY
Which after seeing their worst performance of the season with Cal beating the Bruins in a convincing fashion, I’m on board with as I am once and for all convinced as Chip is not the man to lead UCLA Football into their new era in the Big Ten Conference.
Two players, wide receivers Kam Brown and Keegan Jones, have already entered the transfer portal with – as much as I hate to say it – probably more to come, including (and I really hate to speculate this!) possibly Dante Moore;
Emphasis on possibly of course; I personally would like him to stay as his problems stemmed from playing like he was this year – a true freshman.
I still see him as the future of the program, and someone who if he works on certain things like getting yards with his legs and other nuances of playing quarterback at the power five level, could be as good as if not better than DTR (Bruins know who I’m talking about).
But that’s not what I wanted to focus on, as the calls for the dismissal of Chip Kelly are getting louder by the hour in Westwood;
I’m surprised that someone hasn’t rented a plane with a trailing message banner saying “UCLA DESERVES BETTER – FIRE CHIP KELLY!” already.
As such,
Should Kelly be indeed relieved of his duties,
I have two men that athletic director Martin Jarmond should immediately call to be the next head coach of the football program at UCLA.
Not only that, in my view these are the only two men that should be considered.
I told my longtime Bruin friend who those two men are the other day, and he liked the idea.
Let’s see if the rest of my fellow members of Bruin Nation feel the same way,
Starting with my absolute number one choice…
ERIC BIENIEMY – Current assistant head coach and offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders.
He has been a coach at the college and pro levels for over twenty years, including at UCLA from 2003-2005 as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator, meaning that he would be a God send in that area as Chip Kelly’s reluctance to recruit hurt the Bruins greatly, plus he has had experience in Westwood.
He had a nine-year career as a player in the NFL, and has won two Super Bowls as the Kansas City Chiefs’ running back coach and offensive coordinator.
He’s a local, having grown up in So Cal as he played his high school football at Bishop Amat High in La Puente.
And…
He has been looking and waiting for an opportunity to be a head coach for a long time, having interviewed for several NFL head coaching positions as I’m surprised that he was never hired.
Bluntly put, Bieniemy would be perfect as the next man in charge.
This other guy would also be excellent on the sidelines; he’s my second choice to be the next UCLA coach, and he’s already on the staff…
KEN NORTON, JR. – Current UCLA linebackers coach and Bruin football legend (who I remember quite fondly)
He’s been a coach on the college and pro levels for nearly twenty years, serving as defensive coordinator for the now-Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks from 2015-2021.
He has four Super Bowl rings, three as a player and one as a coach.
Like Bieniemy, he’s a local, having played his high school ball at Westchester High before coming to and starring in Westwood, which would greatly benefit recruiting.
His no-nonsense style would be of a great benefit to the players.
And I do not want to hear anything about how he was a USC assistant coach in the mid-to-late 2000s; that is completely irrelevant and not his fault as Karl Dorrell turned him down to be on his staff at UCLA before he went over to Pete Carroll at ‘SC.
If nothing else, if Bieniemy is hired to come to Westwood his first task – if D’Anton Lynn moves on – needs to be to make Norton his defensive coordinator and associate head coach.
If either of these two men are hired, particularly Bieniemy,
That football program of UCLA’s would soon see great times and become both relevant and strong contenders in the Big Ten, along with eventually being regulars in the top ten and – dare I say it,
Contenders for the College Football Playoff.
I truly believe such.
BOTTOM LINE:
If and/or when Chip Kelly is let go, Bieniemy and Norton need to be the only two candidates considered and contacted for the job, with Bieniemy being offered if he shows any interest with the condition that Norton be the defensive coordinator and associate head coach if such comes to pass.
For all those who say that neither of them have any head coaching experience, I have this six word answer:
SO WHAT?! Neither did Terry Donahue.
Both of them want to and are looking for their chance as a head coach.
UCLA needs to give that to one of them; Bieniemy with Norton as defensive coordinator would be absolutely perfect.
The next week to ten days will be telling as to the future of this program;
Stay tuned!
A BRIEF UPDATE:
UCLA has announced that Chip Kelly will remain as the Bruins’ football coach for 2024.
Which I know has upset quite a few Bruin Nation members.
As for me,
All I can do is hope it works out, and that’s what I’m going to do as it looks like that Crosstown Rivalry win over USC saved his job.
For now.
The season may have ended badly, but at least Bruin Nation has this bell painted this color as a silver lining…
USC’s and UCLA’s captains flipping the coin before the start of their Crosstown Rivalry Clash. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
WRAPPING UP THIS YEAR’S COVERAGE OF THE CROSSTOWN RIVALRY CLASH WITH MY THOUGHTS AND ANALYSIS OF UCLA’S 38-20 STATEMENT WIN OVER USC AT THE COLISEUM
Once again, It’s my duty to make this beginning statement regarding how things unfolded at the Coliseum on Saturday…
I WAS WRONG.
As has always been the case, as a UCLA alum and longtime Bruin Nation member I’m quite happy to be wrong in my prediction of who would win this year’s Crosstown Rivalry game and what the score would be;
I’ve always felt the need to be honest in that sentiment.
And as always, as someone who’s committed to be impartial, objective and realistic in how I see things with So Cal’s two college football teams would unfold when they played each other,
After UCLA’s two previous games where they were outscored 44-17 by the state of Arizona, I felt there was a good reason to predict the game the way I did.
As it turned out, the Bruins and Trojans flipped the scores I gave them.
One thing was certain in this 93rd Battle For L.A. showdown,
UCLA’s players came to play.
And except for Caleb Williams and Brendan Rice (son of NFL legend Jerry Rice) – with Williams throwing for 384 yards and a 74-yard touchdown to Rice in the second quarter that ended up being their big highlight of the day,
USC’s players did not come to play as their issues on defense in particular continued.
Those Bruins entered the Coliseum with several chips on their shoulder, and it showed in the way they played on defense;
The run defense allowed a minuscule three net yards. THREE!
That defense fulfilled one of my keys to the game in sacking Williams four times, and
Three turnovers – an interception and two fumbles (with UCLA forcing three in all), one of them resulting in a scoop and score by Eric Johnson that in my view was the turning point of the game – were forced by that number one defense in the conference
Which is why that unit as a whole has earned my personal and annual Co-MVP honors for this 93rd Crosstown Rivalry Clash,
Along with Bruin running back T. J. Harden with his 142 rush yards on 22 carries and a touchdown to open the scoring.
In short, UCLA showed two things against ‘SC that I certainly did not see the previous two weeks against the Arizona schools, especially against now 3-8 Arizona State,
HEART and GUTS.
And the fact that it was the Bruins’ second straight win over the Trojans in their Coliseum house – along with hearing that now-blue painted Victory Bell as the players rolled it up the tunnel – put a smile on my face;
Even though USC has also won two straight Crosstown Rivalry games in UCLA’s Rose Bowl house, but that’s besides the point.
It is interesting that the visiting team has won the last four games in this rivalry clash.
Trojan quarterback Caleb Williams (#13) scrambling from the Bruin rush. Photo courtesy of on3.com
IMO – THE TURNING POINT OF THE GAME: Alex Johnson (#36) scoring after recovering a USC fumble to increase UCLA’s lead to 28-10, with Caleb Williams pursuing him in vain. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
Kenny Churchwell III (#23) stripping the ball from Zachariah Branch (#1) in the first quarter. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
UCLA defensive starts Laiatu Latu (#15), Darius Muasau (#53), and John Humphrey (#6) celebrating their great day. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
It is also interesting that one head coach was being said to be set to lose his job if his team had lost this past Saturday, and now it’s the other head coach who has been put on the hot seat by at least some of his fan base and very wealthy boosters and alumni (hint, hint).
Only a fool would be reluctant to give Chip Kelly significant props for orchestrating such a statement win over the crosstown rival,
But while I certainly can’t speak for anyone else, in my mind that triumph earns him, in a sense, a one game at a time reprieve as now that the rivals from just south of Downtown L.A. have been vanquished for this season, the Victory Bell is back in Westwood and painted blue, and bragging rights have been secured for Bruin Nation,
The hard part is now upon that UCLA team…
Not letting down vs a decent Cal Bears team that handled Stanford relatively easily in their recent Big Game, and will enter the season finale vs the Bruins with bowl eligibility at stake as their five wins is one short.
Being that it will be the very last regular season game that those flagship U.C. schools will play as members of the Pac-12 Conference and notably against each other, at least for the foreseeable future,
Anyone who doesn’t think that those Golden Bears’ motivation to end their Pac-12 days and their series against their younger “Southern Branch” brothers will a win will be sky-high needs to completely change such thinking.
As such, with the Bruins’ defense being what it is I’m fairly confident that they’ll get their eighth win, which will match my preseason prediction of their record.
But then again, I was also confident of UCLA getting a win over Arizona State.
My message to that football program of my alma mater’s…
Do. Not. Let. Down.
And DO NOT take Cal lightly.
As for those Men of Troy from the University of Southern California,
That those Trojans finished 7-5 with losses in five out of their last six games was and is SHOCKING is an understatement, especially after I had them winning the Pac-12 and in the College Football Playoff (which shows how much I know!).
I knew they’d have trouble with the back end of their schedule after their 6-0 start over relative cupcakes,
But I didn’t think their troubles, particularly on defense, would be that pronounced as I knew that the firing of defensive coordinator Alex Grinch before their Oregon game wouldn’t solve their issues on that side of the ball;
Lincoln Riley might as well have kept Grinch and waited until after the season to let him go.
To be honest, much like two years before in that 62-33 beat down I felt that ‘SC’s players had given up by the end of that rivalry clash, them along the rest of the Trojan Family feeling dejected over losing to both of their traditional rivals.
I hope they show some Trojan pride in their upcoming bowl game,
Which may well be seven miles southwest of the USC campus at SoFi Stadium for what is now known as the “L.A. Bowl Hosted by (NFL star) Rob Gronkowski”.
With Williams as good as gone to the NFL with an eight figure contact as the very possible number one overall pick this coming April, Riley will have some rebuilding to do.
But I’ll elaborate on that when on the upcoming season wrap-up of that ‘SC team next month.
It was certainly an interesting Crosstown Rivalry Clash between the two largest colleges in So Cal, the last one as members of the Pac-12 as they will be members of the Big Ten Conference when they meet again on November 23, 2024 at the Rose Bowl.
And I reckon it will be just as interesting if not more so by that time.
THAT’S A WRAP ON THIS YEAR’S CROSSTOWN RIVALRY COVERAGE;
ONCE AGAIN, YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED!
AND I HOPE THESE POSTS WERE ENJOYED!
UNTIL THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 18-23, 2024…
A SIGNIFICANT SPOIL TO THE VICTORS: Muasau (#53), Duke Clemens (#62), and Siale Taupaki (#59) taking a by-now blue Victory Bell out of the Coliseum and back to Westwood. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
Former UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR) scoring during the 2021 Crosstown Rivalry Game, the previous time it was held at the Coliseum. Photo courtesy of latimes.com
UCLA BRUINS (6-4) vs USC TROJANS (7-4)
DAY & DATE: Saturday, November 18, 2023
PLACE: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
TIME: 12:30 p.m.
TV: ABC Channel 7
RANK: None by either team
AT STAKE BESIDES BRAGGING RIGHTS AND THE VICTORY BELL:
Nothing except a better chance to play in a more prestigious bowl game, to be honest
ALL-TIME SERIES: Trojans lead 50-33-7 (two USC wins vacated due to NCAA sanctions)
FIRST GAME: 1929, Trojans won 76-0
MOST RECENT GAME: 2022 at the Rose Bowl, Trojans won 48-45
LAST UCLA WIN: 2021 at the Coliseum, Bruins won 62-33
LONGEST CROSSTOWN RIVALRY WIN STREAKS:
UCLA – Eight straight from 1991-1998
USC – Seven straight from 1999-2005
LINE: Trojans favored by six and a half points
Former Bruin running back Zach Carbonnet (#24) powering through Trojans during the 2021 game. Photo courtesy of latimes.com
ALL RIGHT TROJAN FAMILY AND BRUIN NATION,
HERE IS HOW I OFFICIALLY SEE THE UPCOMING 93rd MEETING OF USC AND UCLA IN FOOTBALL UNFOLDING,
WHAT I SEE THE OUTCOME BEING,
AND THE NUMBER ONE TRADITION OF THIS BLOG:
MY OFFICIAL PREDICTION OF THE FINAL SCORE…
As a UCLA alum and a longtime member of Bruin Nation who has spent his adult life going to sporting events on and off campus,
To state that I dearly want to see my alma mater’s football team beat their crosstown rival in their house this Saturday, regain that Victory Bell and see it painted blue once again would be stating the painfully obvious.
However,
As a sports blogger who has both pledged and vowed to be impartial, objective and realistic in my assessments of the teams I cover in this blog, including the institution where I earned my bachelor’s degree and the pro sports team whose fan hood was passed down from my grandparents that happens to play north of downtown off of Sunset Blvd,
With regards to how this upcoming Crosstown Rivalry / Battle For L.A. Clash will unfold,
After watching how the Bruins performed the past two weeks, particularly in their most recent game against a team who, with seven losses already, is playing out the string and is out of bowl consideration, losing to them at home no less,
I honestly cannot see them beating a crosstown rival who, despite their season long ineptitude on the defensive side of the ball that has cost them four out of their last five games after a 6-0 start,
Will still have the reigning Heisman Trophy winner taking the snaps behind center;
A reigning Heisman Trophy winner who is second in the nation in passing yards and touchdown passes,
And who leads the nation in total touchdowns, with eleven of his forty scores coming via his legs.
While I see the Trojans’ offense having a bit more trouble with UCLA’s defense against the run, Caleb Williams will try and remedy that by going to the air early and often as SC’s wide receivers are still stellar.
He will be pressured at times by Laiatu Latu and the rest of the Bruins’ front seven, but he will also get his yards and scores.
As for UCLA’s offense,
While I see T.J. Harden and especially Carson Steele doing well against that much maligned Trojan run defense, let me put it like this with regards to the most important position,
Caleb Williams is at least five times better – if not more – than Dante Moore, Ethan Garbers, and Collin Schlee COMBINED.
Which will ultimately be the difference in this 93rd Crosstown Clash as Moore, while a five star recruit who’s the most talented of the Bruin QBs and remains the future of the program, is still a true freshman who has made costly true freshman mistakes.
Garbers, though he did a good job against Stanford and Colorado, is still in my view not the kind of quarterback who can be counted on to win big games like the Crosstown Rivalry;
Colorado and Stanford are one thing.
USC is a completely different animal, especially in the Coliseum.
And in my opinion, Schlee is a bruising running back who happens to play quarterback;
Therefore he’s definitely not the type of guy who can match Williams.
And neither can Moore nor Garbers.
Which is the reason, in accordance to this blog’s number one tradition,
My prediction of the final score of this season’s Crosstown Rivalry Game is thus…
USC TROJANS – 34
UCLA BRUINS – 20
With Chip Kelly being given his walking papers and severance check soon afterward, probably by the end of the next day.
And to be completely honest, I feel I’m being a little generous to UCLA as far as how many points I see them scoring;
If you saw their offense in their previous two contests, you would understand;
Seventeen points combined in the past eight quarters is pretty poor, don’t you think?
Of course as a Bruin alum and a Bruin Nation member, I hope I’m wrong in this prediction.
And I certainly hope that football team of my alma mater’s proves me wrong.
But as an impartial, objective and realistic sports blogger, it’s simply too difficult for me to see things going any other way.
As always,
We will all – the Trojan Family as well as the Bruin Nation – see what unfolds in Exposition Park in roughly forty hours from this writing.
AS YOU ALL SHOULD KNOW,
OUR COVERAGE OF THIS YEAR’S CROSSTOWN RIVALRY GAME IS NOT DONE YET!
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THIS BLOG ON MONDAY FOR MY POST GAME THOUGHTS AND ANALYSIS!
A Trojan and a Bruin going for a pass during last year’s Crosstown Rivalry Game. Photo courtesy of seattletimes.com