UCLA has raised its expectations

Bruins look to challenge in Pac-12 after four losses by 15 points in 2020

LOS ANGELES >> Coach Chip Kelly and the UCLA football team find “comfort” in the number of returning starters and experience they have going into the 2021 season.

“It took us a while to get to this point (since taking the job in 2018),” Kelly said during Pac-12 Media Day on Tuesday. “It will be the first time we’ve had over 80 scholarship players. We were under for a while.”

UCLA fielded a 120-man roster that featured 64 total freshmen (21 redshirts among them) in 2019, the third-highest total behind Nebraska (78 of 153) and Oklahoma State (72 of 128). The Bruins also had the second-highest percentage of freshmen in the nation (53.3%).

The Bruins (3-4) reached .500 under Kelly for the first time during his tenure last fall, but they fell back below that mark with a one-point overtime loss to Stanford in the season finale.

UCLA’s four losses came by a total of 15 points, and it still doesn’t sit well with quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Thompson-Robinson acknowledged that knowing the Bruins were that close to a far better record still lingers in his mind and led to a lot of self-reflecting and going back to watch video of those games.

Progression remains an ongoing discussion for the Bruins and something defensive back Qwuantrezz Knight shared on social media when he tweeted “Time to elevate! @DoriansTweets” on Monday night.

“We were sitting in the room talking about how big this season is for us and how many people are expecting big things out of the Bruins,” Knight said of the tweet. “We just want to elevate all around and be the best that we can be. We are going to attack the season like that.”

Thompson-Robinson also set the expectation for the UCLA offense on Tuesday, speaking highly of the unit.

“This offense is much improved,” the fourth-year quarterback said. “This has been the best offense since I’ve been here.”

Receiver Kyle Philips, the Bruins’ lone All-Pac-12 first-team honoree in a preseason media poll, and tight end Greg Dulcich return as familiar targets for Thompson-Robinson.

Philips’ 38 receptions ranked second among Pac-12 receivers in 2020, when he finished with 370 yards and two touchdowns.

Dulcich and offensive lineman Sean Rhyan were voted to the second-team offense in the preseason poll while Thompson-Robinson, running back Brittain Brown and kicker Nicholas Barr-Mira were tabbed as honorable mentions.

Rhyan returns to lead an offensive line that UCLA considers a strength because of its depth.

“That’s where we were probably challenged the most early,” Kelly said. “I feel really confident with the group of guys that we have on both sides of the ball up front. That’s really where the game is won. That’s what kind of gives us some confidence going into the season.”

Offensive linemen Alec Anderson and Sam Marrazzo were preseason honorable mention picks.

The Bruins didn’t have a player voted to the first- or second-team defense despite signs of improvement under assistant head coach Brian Norwood and defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro.

“Each player wants to get those TFLs,” Knight said about the effort on defense. “Each player wants to get that interception.”

The Bruins led the conference in sacks per game (3.3), interceptions (nine) and rushing yards per carry allowed (3.6).

UCLA’s sacks per game average ranked eighth in the nation while its tackles for loss per game (6.9), led by linebacker Mitchell Agude, ranked 34th nationally. The 3.6 yards per rush allowed was UCLA’s lowest since 2007.

Knight was one of three UCLA defensive backs, along with Quentin Lake and Stephen Blaylock, who received preseason honorable mention recognition.

Lineman Otito Ogbonnia and linebacker Caleb Johnson were also named to the list.

The Bruins will open the season against Hawaii on Aug. 28, the first of three consecutive nonconference home games at the Rose Bowl.

“I think the best thing about it is the fans get to come back,” Knight said. “Last year we didn’t have the fans in the stands and that really plays a lot into how a team is going to play.”

Knight transferred in from Kent State to continue his education in 2020, so he has yet to play in front of the Bruins fan base because of COVID-19 restrictions.