UCLA’s 45-24 road win over Cal gave the Bruins plenty to like, but it also sorted out a few early-season stock reports in a hurry.
The biggest mover on the rise side was Ta’Shawn James. The safety came up with two interceptions of Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, and those takeaways ended up sealing the victory for UCLA.
James had been a quiet presence through fall camp, but he made sure his name was loud in the opener. If he keeps flashing like that, it’s going to be hard to keep him off the field.
Another bright spot came from the linebacking group, where Woods turned in a strong all-around night. He finished with 11 total tackles and 4 solo tackles, showing plenty of energy throughout the game. With Trent Hendrick now in the mix, Woods’ starting role had been looking less secure, but a performance like this should make the rotation far more interesting.
UCLA’s passing game also did enough to keep the offense moving. The Bruins had seven different receivers catch a pass, showing a spread-out approach that kept Cal from locking in on just one target. One notable name missing from that list, though, was San Jose State receiver Leland Smith.
On the other side of the ledger, Dante Lovett had a rougher night. He ran into trouble against Cal wideout Ian Strong, especially in the first half, when Strong beat him on a 49-yard bomb from Sagapolutele. That play included a missed tackle and helped Cal drive the field to trim the lead before halftime.
Anthony Woods was one of the game’s most explosive players, even in defeat. He led Cal with 118 rushing yards on just 8 carries, an eye-popping 14.8 yards per attempt. His two touchdowns stood out, including a 53-yard score that served as the knockout blow for the Golden Bears.
The tight end group never really got going as a receiving threat. Josh Phifer and Brayden Loftin had been part of a discussion about who might emerge as the top targeted option at the position, but neither was involved in the passing game against Cal. Harry Lodge was the only tight end to catch a pass, and it went for just one yard.
In Other News...
Ta'Shawn James Just Gave UCLA A Defensive Building Block
TaShawn James gave UCLA a first-week defensive boost that went well beyond the box score. The Bruins defensive back was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after piling up eight tackles and picking off two passes in the season-opening win over Cal, a performance that immediately stood out in a game that already carried extra weight for a program adjusting to a new head coach.
Bob Chesney got his first win since taking over, and James helped make sure the finish belonged to UCLA. His interceptions came on consecutive snaps in the fourth quarter, a closing stretch that reflected the kind of defensive edge the Bruins can build around early in the season. For a team still setting its tone under Chesney, James just gave them a clear place to start. [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 🡒]