In rivalry games, the margin for error is razor-thin. Their inability to capitalize in critical moments proved costly for the UCLA Bruins in a 19-13 loss to USC at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night. The Bruins struggled in the red zone, going 0-for-3 on fourth-down attempts and failing to sustain offensive drives when it mattered most.
UCLA Bruins Offense “Didn’t Do Their Part”
Head coach DeShaun Foster minced no words about his offense’s shortcomings. “Offensively, they just didn’t do their part in the game,” Foster said postgame. “It’s a team sport. I just need our offense to be at their best when their best is needed. We’re having problems in the red zone in certain situations – just having false starts, not being able to make a play.”
The Bruins’ red-zone woes were emblematic of a larger problem that has plagued the team throughout the season: inconsistency. Despite a solid effort from quarterback Ethan Garbers, who threw for 265 yards and a touchdown on 20-for-29 passing, UCLA struggled to finish drives. A critical fourth-quarter possession ended on a failed quarterback sneak on 4th-and-1, a play Foster defended as the right call despite its outcome.
“That was the first time I’ve seen a quarterback sneak get called dead,” Foster remarked. “They stopped it. They blew the whistle. Who knows where we would have ended up?”
Penalties also played a significant role in stalling UCLA’s offense. The Bruins were flagged eight times for 65 yards, including a false start at USC’s 5-yard line late in the third quarter that turned a potential touchdown opportunity into a field goal.
Though UCLA outgained USC in total offense (376 yards to 346) and had a season-high eight plays of 20 or more yards, their inability to execute in key situations overshadowed those positives. With one game remaining against Fresno State, the Bruins will look to correct their discipline issues and end the season on a high note.
“Eventually, it’s going to get fixed,” Foster said. “And we will continue to strive in the direction of discipline.”
