Can UCLA get its first home win under DeShaun | College News

DeShaun Foster notched his first teaching and highway wins concurrently, UCLA surviving the heat and a particular groups meltdown to beat Hawaii.

His first profitable streak got here courtesy of back-to-back triumphs over Rutgers and Nebraska as half of a brutal journey schedule during which the Bruins will log an estimated 22,048 miles.

One first that might contain solely a short bus journey has maddeningly eluded him. The Bruins haven’t received a sport on the stadium their coach has known as home for more than a quarter of a century, going 0-3 this season.

They will attempt again Friday evening, the Bruins (3-5 general, 2-4 Big Ten) dealing with Iowa (6-3, 4-2) on the Rose Bowl whereas sporting throwback uniforms in a sport they hope has a historic really feel. The final time these groups met was within the 1986 Rose Bowl, UCLA’s 45-28 victory marking its most up-to-date triumph within the bowl sport held on home turf.

“We do well on the road,” Foster stated, “so I’m trying to figure out how we can do the same thing at the Rose Bowl.”

Here are 5 issues to watch in a sport set for a 6 p.m. PST kickoff that can be televised by Fox:

Changing the narrative

Funny what a few wins can do for a crew and its coach.

In the span of a number of weeks, Foster has gone from panned to praised.

His crew appeared dominant at occasions in its final two video games. An offense on tempo to set data for futility is rolling behind robust play from its quarterback. And a once-defensive coach has turned playful with reporters, routinely kidding one about his apparel.

Foster may take the most important step towards a profitable debut season with a victory over Iowa. That would bump the Bruins towards the center of the Big Ten standings and maintain their bowl hopes whereas additionally encouraging donors to provide more of the identify, image and likeness funds needed to secure a robust switch portal class.

Unlike predecessor Chip Kelly, Foster stated he believed that momentum might be carried from one sport to a different — to an extent.

“I think that winning is contagious,” Foster stated. “You know, once you get a victory it can start going, guys understand what it takes to win. So, that’s back to earning a victory, you know?”

Strength vs. energy

UCLA has not confronted a working back the caliber of Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson this season.

The midseason All-American ranks second nationally with 142.1 speeding yards per sport and has tied a college single-season report with 20 touchdowns (19 speeding, one receiving). He’s scored not less than one landing in each sport and has scored three touchdowns in 4 video games.

“This kid’s special,” Foster stated. “The more carries he gets, the more he gets going, so you’ve just got to find a way to get him down and it’s more of swarming to the ball and not just one guy doing it.”

Fortunately for the Bruins, they’ve been among the many best within the nation at stopping the run. Their speeding protection is giving up simply 100.4 yards on the ground per sport, rating No. 11 within the nation.

“What they do kind of plays into what we do well,” Foster stated, “so we’re just going to see who comes out on top.”

Closing time

Foster stated his prime precedence this week was ending stronger. The Bruins as soon as held a 35-19 lead in opposition to Rutgers and a 27-7 benefit in opposition to Nebraska earlier than every of these opponents closed to within one rating within the last minutes.

Penalties have been a huge half of these comebacks. UCLA’s defensive backs have been known as for 3 consecutive penalties late within the sport in opposition to Rutgers. Three unsportsmanlike penalties in opposition to the Bruins contributed to Nebraska’s scoring drives.

“We put them back in the game,” Foster stated.

They’re getting it

UCLA extensive receiver Kwazi Gilmer.

(Matthew Hinton / Associated Press)

Kwazi Gilmer, UCLA’s star freshman receiver, was a bit coy when requested in regards to the identify of the play he scored a 48-yard landing on in opposition to Nebraska, not wanting to offer away any intelligence on offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s scheme.

He did acknowledge one factor.

“It’s a lot of words,” Gilmer stated.

Mastering so many new ideas got here with a studying curve that no longer seems steep. UCLA has averaged 31 factors over its final two video games, more than doubling the 14.5 factors it averaged on the best way to a 1-5 begin.

“Everyone’s playing football, man,” Gilmer stated. “Before, it was like, we can’t mess this up, we can’t do that wrong. But now we’re playing football and having fun. I think the best thing about football is when you have fun and you give it your all, you go out there and make plays.”

Garbers time

UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers throws in opposition to Nebraska.

(Rebecca S. Gratz / Associated Press)

UCLA’s offensive surge has largely been fueled by its quarterback.

Over his final two video games, Ethan Garbers has accomplished 77.8% of his passes for 602 yards and 6 touchdowns with out an interception. Those numbers are particularly spectacular when one considers that he had thrown for 4 touchdowns and 9 interceptions over his earlier 5 video games this season.

“There were a couple unfortunate things that were going on for him and it all wasn’t Ethan,” Foster stated. “You know, we were still trying to get the O-line exactly where we wanted them to be and, you know, sometimes he might’ve had a hand in his face or somebody and we might’ve had a couple unlucky throws. But, you know, I think he’s settled down and is staying upright and making plays.

“He’s a top-10 player in this league and I just think that he’s finally being able to let everybody know how good he can be.”