Fans of UCLA Football would not be remiss in assuming the Pac 12 opener in Pullman, Washington would be a painful affair. The Bruins started the season 0-3 for the second straight year, losing to Cincinnati, San Diego State, and Oklahoma on consecutive weekends. It would also be little consolation that UCLA’s preseason opponents are a combined 8-2. For many, the glamour of Chip Kelly taking the helm in Westwood had been a mirage, leaving behind an arguably worse version of the final two Jim Mora teams that went 6-11 overall.
And yet, some hope remained. UCLA increased its offensive production in every preseason game, from a woeful 218 yards against Cincinnati (including a dreadful 62 total rushing yards), to 261 yards against San Diego State, to 311 yards against Oklahoma, likely the toughest opponent UCLA will face in 2019.