Tough loss. I can’t help but wonder what is going on with our DC, Bill McGovern. He has now missed the last 4 games. I hope his health is okay. I think we’ve missed him calling the defense and it isn’t something you see mentioned much.
At $100m in the hole, I don't think UCLA is happy about it. Their financial difficulties aren't all on the football program, but I'd say it's a 70% contributor.
Totally agree - none of us are privy to the structures of practices and game planning but I have to assume that it isn't a coincidence that the overall defense has regressed since McGovern's health issues have kept him away from calling defenses and likely practice more often than not. Even if Rising and Penix are different than DeLauria and Wilson in terms of creativity and mobility inside the pocket or when a play breaks down, the defense that stifled very capable UDub and Utah offenses would have been enough to beat Zona and $outhern Cal.
Someone on Twitter said he had a stroke. Don’t know who they are or where they got that information, but if true it explains why he’s not with the team
Not much more to say. Why UCLA would keep Chip Kelly is really difficult to figure out. He has done absolutely nothing since he has gotten here and continues to do absolutely nothing. They got 71,000 at the Rose Bowl tonight, that game should have been a sell-out, but not for Kelly teams. Just more despair and disappointment and more hemorrhaging of cash. I really think UCLA's football program is a program that needs a no-name coach, it just fits better. But for now, I guess we are stuck with this loser, as attendance continues to plummet. No wonder the athletic dept is in debt up to their ears!
No, it was not, not sure you know this but when the Rose Bowl sells out, it holds about 100,000 (originally over 100,000 before renovations and changes), they had 71,000. It was NOT a sellout. Now they play games with using seats covered by tarps for other things (to spell out UCLA for example) and getting people closer of further from the action, but that stadium sells out at well over 90,000 and this is from the UCLA Athletic site. So don't believe the press hype, it wasn't a sellout.
Totally agree, B88. I couldn't believe they were trumpeting this a sellout on social media at the start of the week. I don't think we are all talking the same kind of sellout.
It is frustrating that we have one of the top offenses in the country and yet our defense gives up score after score. Chip isn’t able to hire effective DCs after 5 years. Regardless of how we fo against cal and the bowl game, Chip should be tossed for his failure to hire a decent DC. If Chip needs a job he can be oc but I do not want him anywhere close to decisions on anything with defense.!
It's not just the DC, Kelly doesn't recruit either! You have to have the players. Recruiting is about 70% of this job these days and he just doesn't do it, period. I think he was quoted once as saying, "I really don't like it". Well, it's the job Chip! If you don't like it, then find another career. I for one, would not be sad at all if you did.
They may have been torched for 600 plus yards & 4 turnovers by the same QB the last 5yrs who tries to do to much instead of relying on the team. Truth is, the Bruins had a chance to win the game. What does that say about U$C? That they are not as good as everyone is projecting. There isn’t a team in the pac-12 that’s going to beat Georgia, Tennessee, TCU & Michigan. The problem with the Bruin defense is their front 7 ? They’re slow.
Oh, so the game of football only needs a good Quarterback now. Forget solid running backs and a running game (which UCLA didn't take full advantage of again last night), forget a great crew of wide receivers and a strong stout defense, even your special teams can suck. We just need a great Quarterback, and all the problems are resolved. Wow, not much can be said after that.
So, I think everyone here is in agreement that UCLA's defense this season has been horrid. If you are an offensive or special teams' player, how would that make you feel? What I'm saying is if the defense is so bad, offensive and special teams' players automatically have additional pressure placed on them. So not only the QB but that RB fighting to get an extra yard to the line of gain, just to keep his defense off the field and fumbles or a QB forcing a throw knowing if he doesn't complete it, his defense has to come out. And of course, the opposite can also be the case where the offense tends to put too much pressure on the defense. But not in the Bruin Kelly years, the defense has been horrible every single year and actually it seems as if it gets progressively worse. Now is the perfect time to fire this guy. UCLA's football future looks horrible, at least for the next few years, they are doing terrible in recruiting (as is expected) and even worse in the transfer portal (they currently have two players, an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman). Fire Kelly now, don't even wait for Cal. Hey that rhymes!
Your headline makes it sound like DTR costs us the game, but from my vantage point, he put the team on his back the last part of the game. Yes he fumbled, but he got hit hard by a player no one blocked. He also scored 4 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs. He did try to do too much at times, but I honestly can't blame him, given the incredibly porous defense that never stopped $UC after the first ten minutes, and some questionable play calls by you-know-who. Hell, if not DTR, then who? Charbonnet played excellent as usual, but they were obviously keying on him.
He could be the hardest working player but still also be the one with the biggest mistakes. He gave usc 2 chances to score those 3 points before the half. We can blame Chip all we want about his TO and him not taking a knee after the first INT. But those were just not good throws. He also had several shots that went behind the receiver putting them in danger of getting hurt. He can be a good kid, a hard working player, a skilled player, but still lack good decision making after this many years. Okay we can blame Chip again because he didn’t develop DTR more, but are we giving Chip credit for developing our RB? While not so much in this game, DTR’s highlight reel hurdles and head first runs always worry me. He’s the captain. He needs to know he can’t keep doing those things because it affects the team when he goes down. I get it, he wants to win. But he needs to rely on the rest of the team. What message are you sending the team when you do all the work? We can blame Chip for everything. And I 100% agree he hasn’t prioritized defense. But we can also say DTR made many bad decisions that cost us the game.
So, let's go down that path. You are saying the blame should be on DTR? Which by the way he is accepting according to the interviews. But doesn't the coach reflect the players to an extent, isn't it the coach who should teach the player (especially over a 4-year period) good decision-making skills? DTR, has been the quarterback at UCLA for as long as Chip Kelly has coached UCLA (I should say shown up at UCLA, because I really don't think he coaches). Both men began their UCLA careers in 2018. So, doesn't Kelly also bear some of the responsibility on how players perform? Sure, he screwed up last night and he screwed up against Arizona, but I'd argue that isn't all on DTR or all of his responsibility. There is one common thread that binds UCLA football losing together, and it isn't the Quarterback.
BigB88, you need to calm down a bit. No one is saying Chip doesn’t deserve the blame. Non one. Again, no one. I know that’s what you want to hear. He’s the worst coach in the entire universe. UCLA should have never hired him. He is truly the worst. The worst. He is a worthless human being of a coach. He should be fired. That moron should be fired. I think we already established that. He should be fired. That’s what we established. He sucks. He’s the reason ucla is not number 1. It’s Chip the moron. In case we all didn’t know, he’s a moron. He should be fired. Okay? Am I understanding you right? Chip is a moron and should be fired? We good? But sad truth is he is not fired and he probably won’t be. Sad truth is we don’t have usc money to pay for an elite coach. So we are stuck with the moron. The guy that should be fired. So let’s talk this game. However much we sucked, we were in position to get out of the first half with a decent lead or build on it. DTR made 2 bad throws. If it were Caleb Williams, it’s also 2 bad throws. Heck, if it’s Tom freaking Brady, it’s still 2 bad throws. Then we sucked in a every aspect but we were in position to tie or win. Again, another bad throw. I’m not saying blame the kid for the loss. It’s Chip. That idiot should be fired because he is the worst coach to ever coach. But I’m saying is the kid made one too many big mistakes that gave usc the game. Again, any hall of fame QB can be in the same conversation. You may be the greatest. But if you make 4 big mistakes in a big game, that’s on you. If DTR took the blame, that’s a sign of his maturity. So why can’t you accept he made 4 big mistakes and keep bringing it all back to that moron Chip that should be fired? Incidentally, if we fire Chip today, who should we realistically go get? Right now. Who’s out there? I know, Chip messed up the UCLA brand so much that it’s also his fault. But really, what money do we have and who should we offer the position to?
Well, I would just say, let up on DTR a bit. Yes, he made mistakes, yes, he blew both the Arizona game as well as this one. I just think too many people are pounding on the 5th year senior and giving too much of a pass to someone who deserves just as much of the blame and probably more. Kelly hasn't done his job since he got here and simply continues to flout his so-called authority. And another point, DTR isn't being paid millions a year to bring a football winner to Westwood. As for who to get to replace Kelly, I'd look for a seasoned JC coach (mid 40's -50's) who has a winning "system", been good with kids this age (meaning he can recruit and actually enjoys recruiting) and has been successful at that level. Yes, a NO-NAME. They don't need any more NAMED coaches who are proven failures. They need guys that are still hungry to win, not just in it for the money. And YES, they are out there. Save A LOT OF MONEY and just perhaps bring a winning program back to the school within a few years, not still stumbling along in year 5.
Anyone who's played the game knows that the guys on defense played hard and gave it their best, but it's matter of having the horses and let's face it, we don't. Who's responsible for this? The Bruins have hardly played tough defense anytime during the Kelly experience. There was an equally bad defense on the field last night, and if I was a Toe Jams fan I'd be embarrassed that they could have easily lost to a team giving up 650 yards and 4 turnovers. Blow on!
Chip's disdain for recruiting says it all. Rivals ranks us the 66th recruiting class next year and the 9th in the Pac 12. Lots of seniors/key players will be gone next year. You can not make a silk purse out of a pigs ear and you can not build a wining team by ignoring recruiting and replenishing from what is left from the transfer portal..
The schedule was extremely favorable for the bruins this year too, had a lot of home games and our away games were against colorado and asu. What happens next year when the schedule gets tougher? Is it gonna be another 8-4 year?
Everyone so badly wants chip and the bruins to succeed but the issues to elevate this program are fairly out in the open. Even if dtr wins that game yesterday that doesnt change that ucla hasnt taken that step with chip to be competing for conference championships. Its been 5 years this is fully his team and dtr is a fantastic talent, and is gonna be gone next year. Is this as good as it gets? I cant see next year getting better
The big question is what QB are we going to get? There’s actually a fair amount expected to enter the transfer portal, but none have yet been speculated to be considering UCLA.
Umm, sorry but if UCLA wins the game and then beats Cal, they are competing for a Conference championship. But of course, that didn't happen and will NEVER happen with this coach. That is a 100% guarantee.
You guys have it all wrong!! :) UCLA lost. End of story. Stop the blame game. The game could have gone to either team. My alma mater made as many mistakes as UCLA but somehow came out on top. Chip doesn't recruit well and that may be his undoing. I won't say he can't coach because UCLA beat Utah this year and manhandled Stanford. Shaw is a solid coach and recruits well for his system yet he was outcoached by Kelly. Chip needs to recruit way better and probably change his DC. I was with you guys thinking he couldn't coach himself out of a paper bag but this year I have serious doubts!!
Tough loss. I can’t help but wonder what is going on with our DC, Bill McGovern. He has now missed the last 4 games. I hope his health is okay. I think we’ve missed him calling the defense and it isn’t something you see mentioned much.
Not sure if it would have mattered. Because you still have Chip there. Now, maybe if they were both gone, you'd have something.
Oh gawd. Shut up within the Chip hate.
Yea sure.
Some people are just happy with this being the ceiling for UCLA football.
At $100m in the hole, I don't think UCLA is happy about it. Their financial difficulties aren't all on the football program, but I'd say it's a 70% contributor.
I agree with you, B88. But some people won't hear of any criticism of Kelly and think things are just fine.
Totally agree - none of us are privy to the structures of practices and game planning but I have to assume that it isn't a coincidence that the overall defense has regressed since McGovern's health issues have kept him away from calling defenses and likely practice more often than not. Even if Rising and Penix are different than DeLauria and Wilson in terms of creativity and mobility inside the pocket or when a play breaks down, the defense that stifled very capable UDub and Utah offenses would have been enough to beat Zona and $outhern Cal.
Someone on Twitter said he had a stroke. Don’t know who they are or where they got that information, but if true it explains why he’s not with the team
Fire Chip Kelly. He's a moron.
Amen.
Not much more to say. Why UCLA would keep Chip Kelly is really difficult to figure out. He has done absolutely nothing since he has gotten here and continues to do absolutely nothing. They got 71,000 at the Rose Bowl tonight, that game should have been a sell-out, but not for Kelly teams. Just more despair and disappointment and more hemorrhaging of cash. I really think UCLA's football program is a program that needs a no-name coach, it just fits better. But for now, I guess we are stuck with this loser, as attendance continues to plummet. No wonder the athletic dept is in debt up to their ears!
It was a sell out
No, it was not, not sure you know this but when the Rose Bowl sells out, it holds about 100,000 (originally over 100,000 before renovations and changes), they had 71,000. It was NOT a sellout. Now they play games with using seats covered by tarps for other things (to spell out UCLA for example) and getting people closer of further from the action, but that stadium sells out at well over 90,000 and this is from the UCLA Athletic site. So don't believe the press hype, it wasn't a sellout.
Totally agree, B88. I couldn't believe they were trumpeting this a sellout on social media at the start of the week. I don't think we are all talking the same kind of sellout.
It is frustrating that we have one of the top offenses in the country and yet our defense gives up score after score. Chip isn’t able to hire effective DCs after 5 years. Regardless of how we fo against cal and the bowl game, Chip should be tossed for his failure to hire a decent DC. If Chip needs a job he can be oc but I do not want him anywhere close to decisions on anything with defense.!
It's not just the DC, Kelly doesn't recruit either! You have to have the players. Recruiting is about 70% of this job these days and he just doesn't do it, period. I think he was quoted once as saying, "I really don't like it". Well, it's the job Chip! If you don't like it, then find another career. I for one, would not be sad at all if you did.
They may have been torched for 600 plus yards & 4 turnovers by the same QB the last 5yrs who tries to do to much instead of relying on the team. Truth is, the Bruins had a chance to win the game. What does that say about U$C? That they are not as good as everyone is projecting. There isn’t a team in the pac-12 that’s going to beat Georgia, Tennessee, TCU & Michigan. The problem with the Bruin defense is their front 7 ? They’re slow.
That USC team is nothing without Williams. We needed DTR’s best and just didn’t get it.
Oh, so the game of football only needs a good Quarterback now. Forget solid running backs and a running game (which UCLA didn't take full advantage of again last night), forget a great crew of wide receivers and a strong stout defense, even your special teams can suck. We just need a great Quarterback, and all the problems are resolved. Wow, not much can be said after that.
The running game had 204 yds rushing, 300 plus yds passing. Actually had plus 40 yds rushing over U$c.
The running game should have had more! He didn't run enough.
So, I think everyone here is in agreement that UCLA's defense this season has been horrid. If you are an offensive or special teams' player, how would that make you feel? What I'm saying is if the defense is so bad, offensive and special teams' players automatically have additional pressure placed on them. So not only the QB but that RB fighting to get an extra yard to the line of gain, just to keep his defense off the field and fumbles or a QB forcing a throw knowing if he doesn't complete it, his defense has to come out. And of course, the opposite can also be the case where the offense tends to put too much pressure on the defense. But not in the Bruin Kelly years, the defense has been horrible every single year and actually it seems as if it gets progressively worse. Now is the perfect time to fire this guy. UCLA's football future looks horrible, at least for the next few years, they are doing terrible in recruiting (as is expected) and even worse in the transfer portal (they currently have two players, an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman). Fire Kelly now, don't even wait for Cal. Hey that rhymes!
Your headline makes it sound like DTR costs us the game, but from my vantage point, he put the team on his back the last part of the game. Yes he fumbled, but he got hit hard by a player no one blocked. He also scored 4 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs. He did try to do too much at times, but I honestly can't blame him, given the incredibly porous defense that never stopped $UC after the first ten minutes, and some questionable play calls by you-know-who. Hell, if not DTR, then who? Charbonnet played excellent as usual, but they were obviously keying on him.
The four turnovers were bad. It was a combination of the bad defense and DTR'S turnovers.
4 turnovers is catastrophic. Sure, he out the team on his back, but after digger a huge hole.
He could be the hardest working player but still also be the one with the biggest mistakes. He gave usc 2 chances to score those 3 points before the half. We can blame Chip all we want about his TO and him not taking a knee after the first INT. But those were just not good throws. He also had several shots that went behind the receiver putting them in danger of getting hurt. He can be a good kid, a hard working player, a skilled player, but still lack good decision making after this many years. Okay we can blame Chip again because he didn’t develop DTR more, but are we giving Chip credit for developing our RB? While not so much in this game, DTR’s highlight reel hurdles and head first runs always worry me. He’s the captain. He needs to know he can’t keep doing those things because it affects the team when he goes down. I get it, he wants to win. But he needs to rely on the rest of the team. What message are you sending the team when you do all the work? We can blame Chip for everything. And I 100% agree he hasn’t prioritized defense. But we can also say DTR made many bad decisions that cost us the game.
So, let's go down that path. You are saying the blame should be on DTR? Which by the way he is accepting according to the interviews. But doesn't the coach reflect the players to an extent, isn't it the coach who should teach the player (especially over a 4-year period) good decision-making skills? DTR, has been the quarterback at UCLA for as long as Chip Kelly has coached UCLA (I should say shown up at UCLA, because I really don't think he coaches). Both men began their UCLA careers in 2018. So, doesn't Kelly also bear some of the responsibility on how players perform? Sure, he screwed up last night and he screwed up against Arizona, but I'd argue that isn't all on DTR or all of his responsibility. There is one common thread that binds UCLA football losing together, and it isn't the Quarterback.
BigB88, you need to calm down a bit. No one is saying Chip doesn’t deserve the blame. Non one. Again, no one. I know that’s what you want to hear. He’s the worst coach in the entire universe. UCLA should have never hired him. He is truly the worst. The worst. He is a worthless human being of a coach. He should be fired. That moron should be fired. I think we already established that. He should be fired. That’s what we established. He sucks. He’s the reason ucla is not number 1. It’s Chip the moron. In case we all didn’t know, he’s a moron. He should be fired. Okay? Am I understanding you right? Chip is a moron and should be fired? We good? But sad truth is he is not fired and he probably won’t be. Sad truth is we don’t have usc money to pay for an elite coach. So we are stuck with the moron. The guy that should be fired. So let’s talk this game. However much we sucked, we were in position to get out of the first half with a decent lead or build on it. DTR made 2 bad throws. If it were Caleb Williams, it’s also 2 bad throws. Heck, if it’s Tom freaking Brady, it’s still 2 bad throws. Then we sucked in a every aspect but we were in position to tie or win. Again, another bad throw. I’m not saying blame the kid for the loss. It’s Chip. That idiot should be fired because he is the worst coach to ever coach. But I’m saying is the kid made one too many big mistakes that gave usc the game. Again, any hall of fame QB can be in the same conversation. You may be the greatest. But if you make 4 big mistakes in a big game, that’s on you. If DTR took the blame, that’s a sign of his maturity. So why can’t you accept he made 4 big mistakes and keep bringing it all back to that moron Chip that should be fired? Incidentally, if we fire Chip today, who should we realistically go get? Right now. Who’s out there? I know, Chip messed up the UCLA brand so much that it’s also his fault. But really, what money do we have and who should we offer the position to?
These are all good comments. I appreciate your input, Bruins-- thanks! Great food for thought
Well, I would just say, let up on DTR a bit. Yes, he made mistakes, yes, he blew both the Arizona game as well as this one. I just think too many people are pounding on the 5th year senior and giving too much of a pass to someone who deserves just as much of the blame and probably more. Kelly hasn't done his job since he got here and simply continues to flout his so-called authority. And another point, DTR isn't being paid millions a year to bring a football winner to Westwood. As for who to get to replace Kelly, I'd look for a seasoned JC coach (mid 40's -50's) who has a winning "system", been good with kids this age (meaning he can recruit and actually enjoys recruiting) and has been successful at that level. Yes, a NO-NAME. They don't need any more NAMED coaches who are proven failures. They need guys that are still hungry to win, not just in it for the money. And YES, they are out there. Save A LOT OF MONEY and just perhaps bring a winning program back to the school within a few years, not still stumbling along in year 5.
That’s fair. We shall see after next year, as suggested in Joe’s analysis. Either he finds another job, or he we are stuck for one more year at least.
Anyone who's played the game knows that the guys on defense played hard and gave it their best, but it's matter of having the horses and let's face it, we don't. Who's responsible for this? The Bruins have hardly played tough defense anytime during the Kelly experience. There was an equally bad defense on the field last night, and if I was a Toe Jams fan I'd be embarrassed that they could have easily lost to a team giving up 650 yards and 4 turnovers. Blow on!
Chip's disdain for recruiting says it all. Rivals ranks us the 66th recruiting class next year and the 9th in the Pac 12. Lots of seniors/key players will be gone next year. You can not make a silk purse out of a pigs ear and you can not build a wining team by ignoring recruiting and replenishing from what is left from the transfer portal..
This is the issue from the outset. Another year or two makes little difference. In other programs, Chip would have been long gone, buyout or not.
66th, they are that high? That's a great year for Kelly.
I'm glad I chose bedtime.
The schedule was extremely favorable for the bruins this year too, had a lot of home games and our away games were against colorado and asu. What happens next year when the schedule gets tougher? Is it gonna be another 8-4 year?
Everyone so badly wants chip and the bruins to succeed but the issues to elevate this program are fairly out in the open. Even if dtr wins that game yesterday that doesnt change that ucla hasnt taken that step with chip to be competing for conference championships. Its been 5 years this is fully his team and dtr is a fantastic talent, and is gonna be gone next year. Is this as good as it gets? I cant see next year getting better
The big question is what QB are we going to get? There’s actually a fair amount expected to enter the transfer portal, but none have yet been speculated to be considering UCLA.
You're kidding right. Have you seen Kelly's recruiting record? Good Luck.
Umm, sorry but if UCLA wins the game and then beats Cal, they are competing for a Conference championship. But of course, that didn't happen and will NEVER happen with this coach. That is a 100% guarantee.
You guys have it all wrong!! :) UCLA lost. End of story. Stop the blame game. The game could have gone to either team. My alma mater made as many mistakes as UCLA but somehow came out on top. Chip doesn't recruit well and that may be his undoing. I won't say he can't coach because UCLA beat Utah this year and manhandled Stanford. Shaw is a solid coach and recruits well for his system yet he was outcoached by Kelly. Chip needs to recruit way better and probably change his DC. I was with you guys thinking he couldn't coach himself out of a paper bag but this year I have serious doubts!!
To think he can compete and win well by coaching alone is preposterous. This guy's days in Westwood are numbered, in my view.