It’s hard to believe that UCLA has only played New Mexico once, and that game was a bowl game. As a result, the Bruins host the Lobos in the Rose Bowl for the first time tonight.
The UCLA offense finally seemed to get it together in the second half of last week’s game against UNLV. Unfortunately, on the Bruins’ final drive with UCLA near the Red Zone, Nico Iamaleava threw a ball which was tipped and intercepted on the UNLV 13 to end the last chance to tie the game.
UCLA really needs to put together a complete game of football tonight. For that matter, so do the Lobos. While the spread on this game is more than two touchdowns, this game could be closer since neither team has managed to play particularly well in the first half. This game will likely be won by the team which is able to get the ball into the end zone more in the first half.
Let’s look at the keys to tonight’s game.
Keys to the Game
1. Score Early and Often
The Bruins started slow for the second straight game last week before mounting a second half comeback which, ultimately, fell short. New Mexico hasn’t started games particularly well either. Scoring early and often in the first half will go a long way towards UCLA’s first win of the year.
2. Put Pressure on the Lobo Offense
The Lobos do not have a very mobile quarterback. It’s time for the Bruins to pin their ears back and go on defense. To be sure, they have a pretty well-balanced offense but dialing up the pass rush will also help stop the run by blowing up plays in the offensive backfield. This has been missing in UCLA’s first two games after doing this effectively the past two seasons.
3. Must-Win Game
This game is a must-win game for head coach DeShaun Foster. The first two games have started a chorus from Bruin fans which has Foster’s seat warming up. This is likely UCLA’s most winnable game of the season. If the Bruins can’t win this one, they could be looking at the teams first winless season since 1924.
Listen to the Game With TMB!
Today’s game is on Big Ten Network with Carlo Jimenez, Brock Vereen, and Drea Avent calling the game. If you would rather listen Josh Lewin and Matt Stevens call today’s game, you can listen to the game online while chatting in the TMB game thread. Just right click on the link and open it in another tab so you can have it playing while you chat in the comments below. That way, you can listen to Josh Lewin, Matt Stevens and Wayne Cook call today’s game.
Join your fellow Bruins discussing today’s game in the comments section below, but before you get there, here’s how to watch tonight’s game:
UCLA Football (0-2)
Opponent: New Mexico Lobos (1-1)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 1-0
When: 7:00 pm PT, Friday, September 12, 2025
Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Live TV: Big Ten Network with Carlo Jimenez, Brock Vereen, and Drea Avent
Live Stream: FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app
Radio/Audio:
KABC-AM 790 in Los Angeles with Josh Lewin, Matt Stevens and Wayne Cook
Satellite Radio: Sirius Ch. 106 and XM Ch. 195 (UCLA Call)Online: UCLABruins.com
Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast
Game Notes:
UCLA
New MexicoRebroadcast (All times PT):
Saturday, 9/13 at 12:00 am on BTN
Go Bruins!!!
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Between Chip and this team, my UCLA football fandom is dead. I just don’t care any more. Complete apathy. Thanks Guerrero and Jarmond. I used to write for this site and was fully engaged. Now I’m just numb. Sad.
All I can say at the is point is I told you all the Foster hire would be a disaster. Don’t know why people keep doubting me.