The 2017 UCLA Bruins football team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bruins played its home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. They began the season coached by sixth-year head coach Jim L. Mora. They competed as members of the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference.

On November 19, one day after UCLA lost its third consecutive match-up against its crosstown rival USC, Jim Mora was fired. He finished the season 5–6, with a 3–5 record in Pac-12 play. Following Mora's dismissal, offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch was chosen to serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

The Bruins won all six of their home games and lost all six of their road games during the regular season. In all, they were outscored by their opponents by a combined score of 476 to 422.

Recruiting

Position key BackBCenterCCornerbackCBDefensive backDBDefensive endDEDefensive linemanDLDefensive tackleDTEndEFullbackFBGuardGHalfbackHBKickerKKickoff returnerKROffensive tackleOTOffensive linemanOLLinebackerLBLong snapperLSPunterPPunt returnerPRQuarterbackQBRunning backRBSafetySTight endTEWide receiverWR

Recruits

The Bruins signed a total of 18 recruits.

Personnel

Coaching staff

Name Position Joined staff Jim Mora Head coach 2011 Tom Bradley Defensive coordinator 2015 Jedd Fisch Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks 2017 Rip Scherer Senior associate head coach / tight ends 2015 Jimmie Dougherty Pass game coordinator / wide receivers 2017 Hank Fraley Offensive line 2017 Angus McClure Recruiting coordinator / defensive line 2007 DeShaun Foster Running backs 2017 Scott White Special team coach / Linebackers 2015 Demetrice Martin Assistant head coach – defense / defensive backs 2011 Sal Alosi Strength and conditioning coordinator 2012

Roster 2017 UCLA Bruins RosterQuarterback  3 Josh Rosen – Junior 12 Austin Burton – Freshman 17 Matt Lynch – Freshman 18 Devon Modster – Freshman 19 Craig Myers – Junior 25 Justin Saleh – Freshman

Running back  1 Soso Jamabo – Junior  4 Bolu Olorunfunmi – Junior 20 Brandon Stephens – Sophomore 23 Nate Starks – Senior 28 Kahlil Muhammad – Sophomore 30 Zachary Byrge – Sophomore 32 Jalen Starks – Sophomore

Fullback 40 Justin Rittman – Junior

Receiver  2 Jordan Lasley – Junior  6 Stephen Johnson III – Sophomore  7 Darren Andrews – Senior  9 Dymond Lee – Freshman 10 Demetric Felton – Freshman 11 Audie Omotosho – Freshman 11 Trae Smith – Junior 14 Theo Howard – Sophomore 21 Mossi Johnson – Senior 24 Damian Alloway – Freshman 26 Alvoid Bennett – Freshman 27 Xan Cuevas – Junior 29 Brad Sochowski – Junior 31 Will McClure – Junior 39 Ethan Fernea – Sophomore 82 Eldridge Massington – Senior 83 Alex Van Dyke – Senior

Tight end 44 Alex Rassool – Junior 45 Giovanni Gentosi – Junior 81 Caleb Wilson – Sophomore 85 Moses Robinson-Carr – Freshman 86 Devin Asiasi – Sophomore 87 Jordan Wilson – Freshman 88 Austin Roberts – Junior 89 Jimmy Jaggers – Freshman Offensive lineman 51 Markus Boyer – Senior 52 Scott Quessenberry – Senior 53 Nolan Dellibovi – Freshman 53 Jax Wacaser – Freshman 54 Kanan Ray – Freshman 55 Michael Alves – Freshman 56 Josh Wariboko-Alali – Sophomore 58 Gyo Shojima – Senior 59 Zack Bateman – Senior 60 Zack Sweeney – Freshman 63 Sean Seawards – Freshman 65 Paco Perez – Freshman 66 Sunny Odogwu – Senior 68 Clayton Demski – Freshman 69 Najee Toran – Senior 70 Stephan Zabié – Freshman 71 Poasi Moala – Senior 73 Jake Burton – Freshman 74 Alex Akingbulu – Freshman 75 Andre James – Sophomore 76 Kenny Lacy – Senior 77 Kolton Miller – Junior

Defensive lineman 11 Keisean Lucier-South – Sophomore 15 Jaelan Phillips – Freshman 35 Ainuu Taua – Junior 44 Martin Andrus – Freshman 56 Greg Rogers – Freshman 70 Jaypal Bedi – Junior 75 Boss Tagaloa – Sophomore 90 Rick Wade – Sophomore 91 Jacob Tuioti-Mariner – Senior 92 Osa Odighizuwa – Freshman 93 Chigozie Nnoruka – Sophomore 94 Nick Terry – Senior 95 Marcus Moore – Freshman 97 Igbinoghodua Isibor – Freshman 99 Matt Dickerson – Senior Linebacker  2 Josh Woods – Junior 12 Rahyme Johnson – Freshman 14 Krys Barnes – Sophomore 20 Leni Toailoa – Freshman 32 Mique Juarez – Freshman 40 Josh Chambers – Freshman 42 Kenny Young – Senior 46 Donovan Williams – Freshman 52 Lokeni Toailoa – Sophomore 55 Breland Brandt – Freshman

Defensive back  1 Darnay Holmes – Freshman  3 Brandon Burton – Sophomore  4 Jaleel Wadood – Senior  6 Adarius Pickett – Junior  7 Morrell Osling III – Freshman  9 Elijah Gates – Freshman 10 Colin Samuel – Sophomore 17 DeChaun Holiday – Sophomore 18 Octavius Spencer – Junior 22 Nate Meadors – Junior 23 Will Lockett – Sophomore 24 Jaylan Shaw – Freshman 25 Denzel Fisher – Junior 26 Jason Baker – Sophomore 27 Tre Polamalu – Freshman 28 Keyon Riley – Freshman 37 Quentin Lake – Freshman 39 Michael Mapes – Freshman

Punter 20 Stefan Flintoft – Junior 92 Austin Kent – Sophomore 99 Crawford Pierson – Freshman

Kicker 15 Andrew Strauch – Sophomore 17 JJ Molson – Sophomore

Long snapper 30 Johnny Den Bleyker – Sophomore 58 Koby Walsh – SophomoreSources:

Schedule

Game summaries

Texas A&M

Josh Rosen completed 35 of 59 passes for 491 yards and four touchdowns to rally UCLA to a 45–44 win over Texas A&M. The Bruins overcame a 34-point deficit, the largest comeback in school history and the second-most ever in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Michigan State had a 35-point comeback win over Northwestern in 2006.

Hawaii

Rosen threw a career-high five touchdowns, including three to Darren Andrews, in a 56–23 win over Hawaii. The quarterback completed 22 of 25 passes for 329 yards. It was the 12th 300-yard game of his career, breaking the school record of 11 set previously by Cade McNown. The Bruins raced out to a 14–0 lead after the first quarter and 35–7 at halftime. Theo Howard finished the game with a career-high seven receptions for 110 yards with a touchdown.

Memphis

UCLA rallied from a 10-point deficit in the third quarter before falling 48–45 to Memphis. Rosen finished with 463 yards and four touchdowns, but also threw his first two interceptions of the season. The first was by the Tigers' linebacker Tim Hart, who returned it for a 60-yard touchdown to put Memphis ahead 41–31. UCLA had entered the national rankings that week at No. 25.

Stanford

Colorado

Arizona

The Bruins surrendered 457 yards rushing to Arizona and were outgained 605–409 in total yards in a 47–30 loss, the first defeat to the Wildcats in UCLA coach Jim Mora's tenure. Rosen was 20-for-34 passing for 219 yards with no touchdowns and a career-high three interceptions. It was his first time in the season he was held under 300 yards, ending a streak of seven games dating back to 2016.

Oregon

Washington

Utah

Arizona State

After being out the previous week with a concussion, Rosen returned to the lineup and threw for 381 yards with one touchdown and also scored on a 1-yard run in a 44–37 win over the Arizona State Sun Devils. He connected with Jordan Lasley on a 22-yard score on the first play of the fourth quarter, as the Bruins outscored the Sun Devils 10–3 in the final quarter to pull away. Starting slowly, Rosen was just 10-for-25 at halftime, but was 15-of-20 for 225 yards in the second half.

USC

In his first matchup against USC quarterback Sam Darnold, Rosen was 32 of 52 passing for 421 yards along with three touchdowns and an interception in a 28–23 loss to the Trojans. The two passers were among the top prospects for the 2018 NFL draft.

With their loss to USC, the Bruins finished the regular season with a winless 0–6 record on the road and extended their overall road losing streak to 10 games. Additionally, this was head coach Jim Mora's final game at UCLA, as he was fired the following morning.

California

In the regular season finale against California, the Bruins won 30–27 to become bowl-eligible. Rosen led the Bruins to a 17–9 lead at the half, but was held out the rest of the game for precautionary reasons after he suffered three sacks, including one late in the second quarter when he was slow to get up after being thrown to the ground. He finished 13-of-18 passing for 202 yards and two touchdowns. UCLA finished undefeated at home for the first time since 2005.

Kansas State–Cactus Bowl

Officials: Jer. Magallanes (Referee); Johnnie Forte (Umpire); Matt Fitzgerald(Linesman); Tim Graham (Line Judge); Rob Luklan (Back Judge); Wayne Rundell (Field Judge); George Liotus (Side Judge).

Rankings

Notes July 1, 2017 – Apparel agreement with Under Armour begins August 1, 2017 – The Wasserman Football Center is dedicated August 2, 2017 – Training camp starts at Spaulding Field August 5, 2017 – Former player Kenny Easley is inducted into Pro-Football Hall-of-Fame November 19, 2017 - Jim Mora is fired; Jedd Fisch is named interim head coach November 25, 2017 – Chip Kelly named head football coach November 28, 2017 – Kenny Young named Pac-12 Player of Week

Awards and honors Sep. 5 – Josh Rosen was named Pac-12 Conference Offensive Player-of-the-week

References