PASADENA—After last week’s stinging loss to open the season, the UCLA Bruins returned to the friendly confines of the magnificent Rose Bowl and came away with a hard fought 42-21 victory on September 10. The stars of the day were Running Back Soso Jamabo, Quarterback Josh Rosen and on the defensive side of the ball, Randall Goforth.

Jamabo notched three TDs along with 90 yards rushing. The Bruins tore through the Rebels defense, gaining 219 yards on the ground. Rosen completed 23 of 38 passes for 267 yards with a TD through the air and one on the ground.  More importantly, he threw no interceptions which is necessary when you strive for excellence the way the sophomore does.

“I strongly believe that I am the best quarterback in the country and in order to do so I have to take responsibility as such. I think I am getting there this week, and I also think you have to play with that confidence in order to be successful,” said Rosen.

Defensively, Safety Randall Goforth made two interceptions and led a spirited group who lost defensive end Eddie Vanderdoes to a knee injury.  For how long we will see, but he is a very good player trying to return from an ACL tear which ended his last season.

UNLV came out in the second half and mounted a comeback, cutting the lead to 28-21, in the fourth quarter. On a critical third down, Rosen threw a deep pass to receiver Eldridge Massington, which was broken up by Safety Kenny Keys. The refs threw a flag for targeting-Keys was ejected and the Bruins got an automatic first down which resulted in a UCLA touchdown. This questionable call was the turning point of the game. Attendance for the game was 63,712 and they were treated to a beautiful twilight encounter.

Next week, UClA travels to BYU to face the aptly named Cougars. It will be the Bruins final non-conference game, before PAC-12 season starts when Stanford visits UCLA on September 24.