Introduction to the 2025 UCLA Football Season
The 2025 UCLA football season has begun, and it’s off to a rocky start under the leadership of DeShaun Foster. The Bruins’ faithful were hopeful that this season would be different, that Foster would prove himself to be the inspirational leader that athletic director Martin Jarmond promised. However, the season opener against Utah has left many wondering if Foster is truly capable of coaching.
A Disappointing Season Opener
The Bruins lost 43-10 to Utah in a game that was completely devoid of energy and passion. The Utes scored on their first three possessions, making it 20-0 before the second quarter was even three minutes old. UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava struggled, overthrowing countless receivers and only completing one pretty pass all night, a touchdown strike worth 19 yards to Anthony Woods late in the second quarter. The Bruins never got any closer, allowing second-half touchdown drives of 21 plays and 10 plays amid a flurry of missed tackles and blown assignments.
A Lack of Momentum
One game down, and UCLA already looks and feels cooked. All momentum from Chip Kelly’s final 8-5 season has been lost. All hope that Foster can actually turn this around is slowly disappearing beneath a bevy of humiliations. The Bruins’ schedule is even tougher this season, with games at Indiana, Michigan State, and Ohio State, as well as home games against Penn State, Washington, and Nebraska. They finish the season at USC, and at this rate, they’ll be lucky to finish 5-7.
Questioning Foster’s Ability
Foster began his debut season last fall going 1-5, and this season’s start is not promising. The expected three-year clock on Foster’s tenure will begin to loudly tick if the Bruins don’t turn things around soon. Foster recently installed new media restrictions, prohibiting journalists from getting a closer look at his program. It’s possible that he knew what that closer look would reveal, and indeed, this could be a team worth hiding.
The Quarterback Conundrum
Iamaleava was supposed to be the answer to the Bruins’ quarterback problems, but he struggled in his first game. He was 11-for-22 passing with one touchdown and one interception, plus 47 yards rushing. In contrast, Joey Aguilera, the quarterback who left UCLA for Tennessee, was 16-for-28 passing with three touchdowns and no interceptions, plus 34 yards rushing in the Volunteers’ season-opening win against Syracuse. Iamaleava acknowledged that he needs to be better, and it’s clear that he has a lot of work to do.
Conclusion
The UCLA Bruins are off to a disappointing start in the 2025 season, and it’s unclear if DeShaun Foster is the right coach to lead them to success. With a tough schedule ahead, the Bruins will need to turn things around quickly if they want to avoid a disastrous season. Foster and Iamaleava both have a lot of work to do, and it remains to be seen if they can rise to the challenge.
FAQs
Q: Who is the coach of the UCLA Bruins?
A: DeShaun Foster is the coach of the UCLA Bruins.
Q: How did the Bruins do in their season opener?
A: The Bruins lost 43-10 to Utah in their season opener.
Q: What is the Bruins’ schedule like this season?
A: The Bruins have a tough schedule, with games at Indiana, Michigan State, and Ohio State, as well as home games against Penn State, Washington, and Nebraska. They finish the season at USC.
Q: How did Nico Iamaleava perform in his first game?
A: Iamaleava struggled, going 11-for-22 passing with one touchdown and one interception, plus 47 yards rushing.
Q: What happened to Joey Aguilera, the quarterback who left UCLA for Tennessee?
A: Aguilera was 16-for-28 passing with three touchdowns and no interceptions, plus 34 yards rushing in the Volunteers’ season-opening win against Syracuse.
