One, UCLA had a poor showing against Hawaii and it's important for Coach Foster that this program is on the rise. Indiana, on the other hand, has shown it's best start of the season winning against Westen Illinois 77-3. Clearly, they have the momentum going into the Rose Bowl

Second, UCLA is facing three very difficult opponents after Indiana in LSU, Oregon and Penn State and could be faced with a 1-4 record going into the meat of the season.

Third, winning Saturday will show the recruits that UCLA's program is on the upward trend and have confidence with the coaching staff. On the other hand, a win would be huge for Indiana because they would be 3-0 coming into the Big Ten season and beating a Big Ten opponent on their home turf will send a message to the rest of the conference

UCLA needs to establish their running game early and seize control of the game. If Indiana scores early and often than it's all over. UCLA simply doesn't have the weapons to keep up with this hot Indiana team

We’ll talk to DeShaun after today’s practice. Still waiting to go inside the gates and find out who else we’ll be talking to.

DeShaun speaks with us a little before 9 a.m.

An early heads up about tomorrow:

The power at my place went out about four hours ago and it’s looking like it’s not coming back on anytime soon. Thankfully it’s just the electricity and not the water, also.

Depending on what kind of rest I can get between now and tomorrow morning in this heat, there’s a chance I may just be handling things remotely and sharing the UCLA upload of the press conference with DeShaun Foster before Monday’s practice and the additional interviews after practice.

So if you don’t see anything from me in the morning, then that means I didn’t go out there.

Back at practice today. Things get going at 9:15 a.m.

The latest from the Long Beach Press-Telegram:

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The Orange Lutheran OL talks about his commitment:

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Irvine (Calif.) Crean Lutheran edge rusher Anthony Jones, who was offered back at UCLA’s prospect camp in June, is returning for a visit July 28.

Four-star cornerback Byron Baldwin picked up an offer moments ago

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UCLA assistant Brendyn Taylor was at Rolling Hills Prep earlier today

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Coming to the Rose Bowl. One of the many “first” in UCLA inaugural season in the Big Ten. The first time since 1968 that Indiana has visited the Rose Bowl. I believe the Tommy Prothro was coaching the game

For final score. Mine is 16 UCLA and 14 Indiana

It will be an ESPN network game (exact channel still TBD) and kick off at either 12:30 p.m. or 1:15 p.m. PT

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As of Sept. 1, coaches were allowed to go back on the road and recruit.

On the first Friday night since the evaluation period started, head coach DeShaun Foster was with director of player personnel Stacey Ford at the big Mater Dei/Las-Vegas Bishop Gorman contest.

Rivals was on the scene:

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Meanwhile, spotted by longtime Los Angeles Times preps writer Eric Sondheimer, UCLA QBs coach Ted White was taking in Pacifica/Newbury Park.

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As I find them or get told directly:

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It appears Indiana is extremely organized and well coached. I hope we have a better plan for them than we did for Hawaii.

Didn’t it seem as if Foster was in a bad mood in his last interview?
I know he wasn’t thrilled the way they played in the first half of the Hawaii game but pleased the way they fought back in the 2nd half.
I wonder if he’s gotten some bad news regarding Madden Iamaleava and Jace Brown not coming to UCLA now?

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I caught up with recent UCLA offer Tommy Tofi to discuss the Bruins and where things stand in the early going. The 2026 prospect from Archbishop Riordan in San Francisco is expected to stop by Westwood this weekend while in town (his team plays St. Bonaventure tonight) while also taking in the USC game tomorrow night as well. He's still getting to know the Bruins but so far it has been a positive experience.

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Didn’t it seem as if Foster was in a bad mood in his last interview?
I know he wasn’t thrilled the way they played in the first half of the Hawaii game but pleased the way they fought back in the 2nd half.
I wonder if he’s gotten some bad news regarding

Plus, an emotional DeShaun Foster after being presented the game ball by AD Martin Jarmond to commemorate his first career coaching victory

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when he landed at Ohio State.
Offense is loaded and he will make it better.

I like what Oklahoma State is doing putting QR Codes on the players helmets to get NIL donations. Article on espn if interested.

UCLA arrived to the stadium in some pretty slick matching suits

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My latest on the lackluster opener at Hawaii: