Ta'Shawn James wasted no time making his presence felt for UCLA.
The Bruins defensive back was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after turning in a standout performance in UCLA’s 45-24 season-opening win over Cal. James finished with eight tackles and two interceptions, and both picks came in the fourth quarter on consecutive Cal possessions.
That late burst helped UCLA slam the door in the final period. The Bruins pitched a shutout in the fourth quarter and rolled to 21 unanswered points to put the game away.
James also made a bit of program history along the way. He became the first Bruin with two interceptions in a game since Carson Schwesinger did it against Iowa in 2024. Schwesinger’s outing that day had earned him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors, which had been the last time a UCLA player took home the award.
Even with Cal piling up 410 total yards, UCLA tightened up when it mattered most. The Bears managed just 66 yards in the fourth quarter and finished with four turnovers, including two interceptions and two turnovers on downs.
James wasn’t the only Bruin making plays on defense. Linebacker Sammy Omosigho posted 13 total tackles, 1.0 sack, and 2.0 tackles for loss. Jalen Woods also got into double figures with 11 tackles and 0.5 tackle for loss.
The win was also the first for head coach Bob Chesney, who took over the program eight months ago. UCLA brought in plenty of new faces during the offseason, and 37 players appeared in the game against Cal.
The Bruins are back at the Rose Bowl on Saturday for their home opener against San Diego State. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. PT, with the game airing on the Big Ten Network.
In Other News...
UCLA Opener Created One Big Early Lineup Debate
UCLAs Week 1 win over Cal gave the Bruins plenty to like, but it also left one early lineup conversation hanging in the air. The 45-24 result showed a team that could lean on a balanced effort, with Anthony Woods doing damage on the ground and also showing up in the tackling column, while the passing game spread the ball around to multiple receivers in a way that suggested there are still roles to sort out.
On the other side of the ball, the opener was more revealing than comfortable in a few spots. Dante Lovett had a rough night against Cals passing attack, and with the tight ends making only a limited impact as receivers, UCLAs coaches came away with an opening-week picture that was encouraging overall but still pointed to a few spots where the depth chart may not be settled yet. [Read more 🡒]
Walt Hazzards Place In UCLA History Still Feels Underrated
Walt Hazzards name should sit much closer to the top of UCLA basketball history, especially for a program whose legacy was built in part by the team that finally broke through in 1964. Hazzard spent three seasons in Westwood, averaged 16.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and was a central figure on the unbeaten squad that delivered the Bruins their first national championship.
The honors from that season tell the story of how dominant he was, with consensus first-team All-American recognition and National Player of the Year acclaim both coming his way. Even after a 10-season NBA career, Hazzards college impact is the piece that still resonates most, and his selection for the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 is a reminder that his place in UCLA lore may finally be getting the notice it deserves. [Read more 🡒]
UCLAs New Offense Showed Something Bigger Than Just A Cal Win
The first look at Bob Chesneys UCLA offense was about more than just a season-opening win over Cal. In a 45-24 victory in the Bruins first game under their new head coach, UCLA leaned on a physical ground game and a balanced attack that produced 12 explosive plays, a sign that the offense may have more ways to stress defenses than it showed in the opener.
The defense offered its own evidence of a team still taking shape, adjusting its pass rush strategy as the game wore on and helping swing control back toward UCLA. For a program trying to establish a new identity right away, the opener hinted at something encouraging: the Bruins did not just beat Cal, they showed they could win with multiple paths, even if the most intriguing part of how that might evolve is still to come. [Read more 🡒]