Can T.J. Harden make an impact against Boise State’s very good rushing defense? (Photo Credit: Don Liebig/uclabruins.com)
Tonight, the Bruins face the Boise State Broncos in the third LA Bowl. The Broncos won the Mountain West Conference and have won three straight under new head coach Spencer Danielson.
Both teams are dealing with roster issues caused by players leaving earlier in the Transfer Portal, but more importantly, UCLA has lost every game they have played against teams whose rush defense is ranked in the Top 50 nationally. The Broncos’ rush defense is ranked 29th nationally.
Can the Bruin offense find a way to get their first win against a Top 50 rush defense?
Here are the Keys to the Game for the Bruins tonight:
Keys to the Game
1. Stop Ashton Jeanty
The Bruins have the best run defense in the nation. Boise State’s offense features All-American Ashton Jeanty as their primary running back in an offense which runs the ball almost 60% of the time. UCLA needs to stop Jeanty tonight in order to win.
2. Run the Ball Effectively
UCLA has not beaten any team they’ve played which featured a rushing defense in the Top 50 nationally. The Bruins will need to find a way to run the ball well if they want to beat the Broncos.
3. Win the Turnover Battle
With Boise State starting a true freshman quarterback, the defense should have opportunities to turn the ball over. Winning the turnover battle will go along way to a Bruin win.
Listen to the Game With TMB!
Today’s game is on ABC with Dave Flemming and Brock Osweiler 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 tonight’s game instead of Flemming and Osweiler on ABC.
Join your fellow Bruins discussing today’s bowl game in the comments section below, but before you get there, here’s how to watch the 2023 LA Bowl:
2023 LA Bowl
Opponents: UCLA Football (7-5, 4-5) vs. Boise State Broncos (8-5, 6-2)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 1-0.
When: 4:30 pm PT, Saturday, December 16, 2023
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Live TV: ABC with Dave Flemming, Brock Osweiler and Kayla Burton
Radio/Audio: AM570 in Los Angeles with Josh Lewin, Matt Stevens and Wayne Cook National Broadcast: ESPN Radio with Mike Couzens and Tom Ramsey Satellite Radio: SiriusXM Ch. 84 (UCLA Call)
Rebroadcast (All times PT): Sunday, 12/17 at 1:00 pm on ESPN2 Monday, 12/17 at 4:00 pm on ESPNU
Go Bruins!!!
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Have to say I think next year is going to be a true disaster. The ‘recruiting’ is terrible this year. We’re 60-something in recruiting with no 4 or 5 stars
What we have found out/been reminding of so far in this bowl game: 1. UCLA was the worst performing offense in the redzone in all of college football this season. 2. UCLA was one of the most penalized teams in all of college football this season. I have to conclude both are largely due to coaching.
U! clap clap clap!
Sold out because none of the top level seats were for sell.
Schlee, starts?
Hi fellow Bruins, Last football game of the season. Expecting we finish with a whimper, not a bang unfortunately
Hope this goes better than the basketball game
No Steele?
Schlee + Harden for a first down for our start.
Of course let's pass! That was close.
Have to say I think next year is going to be a true disaster. The ‘recruiting’ is terrible this year. We’re 60-something in recruiting with no 4 or 5 stars
A near INT and pick 6.
If Garbers can’t go, I’d like to see a little Justyn Martin.
Whiff on that tackle
Murphy with a late hit, what are the odds
doesn't anyone know why Garbers isn't playing?
All these stats spouted by the announcers are meaningless with so many players opting out of the game
Pass defense is too casual.
Not filled with hope in this one.
Really feel like this is mostly going to be a preview of how much we’ll suck next year
Boise FG starts the bleeding.
Fina is still a penalty machine
Loya with a catchable ball and we are punting
Schlee is in but no RPO or rushes. Trying to avoid injury? No backups available?
ABC using UCLA announcers?
Broncos want it more
Swiss cheese.
Ah good, we are back to pathetic arm-tackling. Our speciality!
Welcome to the Shit Show Bowl.
Announcers just used the term “inspired football” about Boise. Huh I wonder what that is?
Does anyone know if Garbers has another year of eligibility?
Listing the many mysteries: 1. Yankoff continue to be the return guy.
‘Chip Kelly’s offense has been quiet so far’. - is he talking about the game, season, or since Chip arrived in Westwood?
Nice run, Colin. Now let's pass some more.
Yep, stick to the passing game. Thanks for 50 yards, Colin.
Happy for Schlee. Glad he has a chance to show something
Thank you, Colin! TD Bruins!
Can we please make the extra point?
Good to get the TD, but says something that we can only score in the red zone with some made up improv, not a designed play
Tackling is really bad today
A tackle for a loss finally. Boise was marching down the field.
Muasau will be missed
Defense is softer than my sofa. Guy ran for 15 yards to get the first down.
Our defense looks slow.
Yes, it can happen if you're the UCLA Bruins.
Just terrible
Looks like found our 2022 defense.
Bend....and bend.... and bend.... and bend some more..... and then bend.... but don't break.
Wow, TJ that was close!
Undisciplined play. So consistent there.
Would be nice if we addressed the kicking game before next season
What we have found out/been reminding of so far in this bowl game: 1. UCLA was the worst performing offense in the redzone in all of college football this season. 2. UCLA was one of the most penalized teams in all of college football this season. I have to conclude both are largely due to coaching.