UCLA celebrated a 28-10 home-opening victory against San Diego State at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, marking the program’s first 2-0 start since 2014 and signaling a potential turning point under first-year head coach Bob Chesney.
Marketing Push Draws Crowd of 31,973
The Bruins promoted the game aggressively, with UCLA CEO of Athletics Tim Harris purchasing 300 tickets and the Champion of Westwood NIL collective buying another 300 for distribution to fans. Chesney personally invited supporters to attend, telling them: “I told you it would be different on our side; we need it to be different on their side as well.”
The effort paid off. Attendance reached 31,973 — an improvement over the 27,785 who watched last season’s home opener against Utah, the first loss in a disappointing 3-9 campaign. Among those in the stands was El Monte resident Aaron Flores, a lifelong fan who described years of frustration as “Battered Bruin Syndrome.”
Spencer Schoenbaum, celebrating his 29th birthday with friends decked out in Bruin polo shirts and khaki shorts — a playful nod to Aztec coach Sean Lewis’ comments about UCLA’s “preppy fashion” — said the energy felt renewed. “I’m just excited that we’re all excited again,” Schoenbaum said. “My family and I have been coming to the Rose Bowl since I was 2 years old, but we took a few years off; there were a few years of indifference. But now all my friends and I are back and tailgating, and we just want to be excited.”
Ugly First Half Gives Way to Second-Half Surge
If the pregame atmosphere resembled a major concert, the first half played like a disappointing opening act. Neither team scored before halftime — the first 0-0 intermission for UCLA since November 1993 against Arizona State. San Diego State had not defeated a Big Ten opponent since 1993, when the Aztecs beat Minnesota.
The stagnation ended quickly after the break. Chesney’s halftime message was simple, according to linebacker Jalen Woods: “Like, ‘don’t lose the fight,'” Woods said Chesney told the team. “We know the offense is going to kick it into gear, eventually. And we just know if we do our job, everything is gonna be right. So we just gotta keep playing, keep having energy on the sideline. Just keep pushing, because we know eventually, we’re gonna break through.”
That resolve has defined the early Chesney era. UCLA has outscored opponents 42-10 in fourth quarters through two games. Woods’ own fourth-quarter interception set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Jaivian Thomas that extended the lead to 21-3.
Wayne Knight Delivers Historic Performance
The breakthrough came courtesy of senior running back Wayne Knight, a James Madison transfer who tormented the San Diego State defense with three touchdown runs of 8, 7, and 36 yards. His six rushing touchdowns in two games match a feat achieved only by Zach Charbonnet (2022) and DeShaun Foster (2001) in program history — and Knight has played just two games as a Bruin. For context, the entire UCLA team managed only eight rushing touchdowns all of last season.
Knight finished with 97 yards on 13 carries and embraced the home crowd. “It’s good to play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena,” Knight said. “Seeing those guys come out there, supporting us, it’s important. And that’s going to continue to grow. By the end of the year, we’re gonna have that thing packed up.”
Fans Believe Momentum Can Restore Rose Bowl Glory
Costa Mesa resident Travis Fuller, another lifelong supporter, shares that optimism. “UCLA has a significant alumni base, and I think if momentum builds around the program, people will return to the Rose Bowl,” Fuller said. “During the Mora years, we averaged around 70,000 a game. I think that can easily return in spite of the presence of the NFL.”
Chesney acknowledged the uneven first half but appreciated the support. “It wasn’t pretty in the first half, I understand,” Chesney said, “a bit apologetically, when asked about Saturday’s crowd. But at the same point in time, we need them, and I’m glad they showed up.”
Summarizing the win, Chesney added: “It wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty,” dropping bars in his postgame press conference.
Building a Winner in Westwood
The Bruins have now won two games they might have lost in recent seasons, celebrating each victory by singing the fight song with the Bruin band in high spirits. With a 2-0 record and a roster playing with visible belief, UCLA is giving its fanbase something it hasn’t had in years: a reason to keep coming back.
