UPDATE: UCLA’s football season has taken a dire turn following a 35-10 loss to New Mexico on September 22, 2023, at the Rose Bowl, marking their third consecutive defeat. Fans are left questioning if the Bruins will win a game this season after a performance that was deemed uncompetitive.
The Bruins, now 0-3 for the first time since 2019, displayed alarming weaknesses on both offense and defense. The loss to New Mexico—another Mountain West Conference opponent—has raised serious concerns about the team’s ability to compete this season. With just over seven minutes remaining, the crowd witnessed New Mexico running back Damon Bankston break several tackles to score on a 43-yard touchdown, prompting many fans to leave the stands in disappointment.
UCLA began the game as 15.5-point favorites but failed to hold a lead throughout the match. Coach DeShaun Foster faces immense pressure as he navigates a challenging season, now with a 5-10 record early in his second year. The team’s performance raises urgent questions: How can they improve after adding star quarterback Nico Iamaleava from the transfer portal?
Things began to unravel for the Bruins when New Mexico extended their lead to 21-10 after Bankston’s two-yard touchdown run at 10:42 left in the game. This further solidified the notion that the Bruins were staring down the barrel of a bleak season. Earlier, UCLA had shown some signs of life when they forced their first turnover of the season, but this momentum quickly fizzled.
Despite a fumble recovery by Devin Aupiu, which halted a New Mexico drive, UCLA could not capitalize effectively. They managed to score a field goal late in the third quarter, bringing the score to 14-10, but this was not enough to shift the game in their favor.
UCLA’s struggles have been evident since the season began, falling behind 20-0 against Utah and 23-0 against Nevada Las Vegas in previous games. Fans have expressed frustration as the team continues to exhibit issues with penalties, committing eight penalties for 76 yards by halftime against New Mexico.
The Bruins now head into a bye week before facing Northwestern in their opening Big Ten match-up. This extended break will allow Coach Foster to address critical issues within the team, but the path forward looks increasingly daunting. Will UCLA find a way to secure at least one victory this season, or are they destined for a long, winless campaign?
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on UCLA, seeking answers and hoping for a turnaround in their upcoming games. Fans are left to wonder how long this losing streak will continue and whether significant changes are needed to revive the team.
