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UCLA: Bob Chesney's Bruins debut wasn't quite on Lane Kiffin's level, but it was close
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- UCLA: Bob Chesney's Bruins debut wasn't quite on Lane Kiffin's level, but it was close
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UCLA: Bob Chesney's Bruins debut wasn't quite on Lane Kiffin's level, but it was close appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
UCLA head coach Bob Chesney made a significant move in his roster by securing a commitment from Trent Hendrick , a former star from James Madison and the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year. This was made possible by a court injunction that granted extra collegiate eligibility to former NFL minicamp participants, as reported by Brian Jones of On3.
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Chesney quickly translated his aggressive offseason roster changes into on-field success, debuting with a thrilling 45-24 victory over California at Memorial Stadium before a sellout crowd of 54,283. The performance drew immediate comparisons to Lane Kiffin 's high-octane offensive teams.
According to ESPN's game coverage, the Bruins overwhelmed Tosh Lupoi's Golden Bears by using 37 new players and relying on Chesney's trusted transfers to secure a fourth-quarter win. Following consecutive interceptions by Ta'Shawn James off of Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, former JMU running back Wayne Knight scored two late touchdowns, including a 31-yard run and a 4-yard plunge that sealed the victory. Anthony Woods added to the excitement with an electrifying 53-yard touchdown run, contributing to the Bruins' impressive total of 277 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
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Quarterback Nico Iamaleava efficiently managed the high-scoring offense, throwing for 184 yards and adding a rushing touchdown. Although Sagapolutele passed for 271 yards, California's three costly turnovers allowed the Bruins to pull away in the second half. Reflecting on the successful integration of new talent, wide receiver Mikey Matthews expressed complete faith in Chesney's leadership, setting the stage for an exciting new era in Westwood.
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