Latu keys strong defensive effort by Bruins in first half

PASADENA >> Laiatu Latu waited a long time to be playing under the bright lights again.

On Friday, the UCLA linebacker had another breakout moment in the early season — against his former team, No. 15 Washington at the Rose Bowl, no less.

Latu recorded the first sack this season against Michael Penix Jr., the Huskies’ standout quarterback who entered the game leading the country in passing yards. Latu’s 9-yard sack of Penix on third-and-10 from just outside UCLA’S red zone in the second quarter forced Washington to kick a field goal on the next play.

The redshirt junior spent one season at Washington before injuries forced him to medically retire and miss the last two seasons. Latu has arguably been UCLA’S best defensive player, leading the Pac-12 with five sacks entering the game.

Latu’s sack was just one of several key defensive plays in the first half for the Bruins, who also intercepted Penix twice and benefited from a botched handoff for a safety. Stephan Blaylock and Jonjon Vaughns both recorded interceptions and returned the ball deep into Washington territory.

UCLA led 26-10 at halftime. The Bruins held Penix to 133 yards on 14-of-25 passing in the first half.

Larger crowd at Rose Bowl

UCLA made an effort to draw a larger crowd for Friday’s game, which was televised nationally on ESPN, after recording its two smallest crowds in Rose Bowl history through three home games.

The Bruins averaged 30,072 fans through their first three games. The season opener against Bowling Green saw a record-low 27,143 in attendance, and the Week 3 matchup against South Alabama recorded the secondsmallest crowd at 29,344.

UCLA offered discounted tickets to season-ticket holders, dropping prices for $55 tickets to $20 and $119 tickets to $40. The school also offered free tickets for K-12 classrooms and youth sports organizations that attended community events in the past.

Various Costco locations sold four sideline seats for $99, and UCLA bought space on 10 digital billboards around Southern California to promote the game.

Athletic Director Martin Jarmond posted a draft, mock “get out of work early” letter to Twitter on Thursday, encouraging fans to arrive early to tailgate.

The game also featured a fireworks show at halftime.

Humphrey takes over at corner

John Humphrey appears to have leapfrogged Azizi Hearn on the depth chart at cornerback, making his second straight start after Hearn had been listed as the starter the first four games.

Humphrey made his first collegiate start last week at Colorado and was officially noted as the starter this week on the two-deep. The junior had five tackles last week.

“John has continued to get better every single year,” Coach Chip Kelly said at practice this week. “He has a tremendous work ethic and you always see him out here on the field working on individual skills.”

Defense banged up

UCLA started Jacob Sykes and Dovid Magna on a defensive line that was down a few players, with Martin Andrus Jr. out for the season, Gary Smith III not dressed and Jay Toia active but nursing an injury.

Linebacker Kain Medrano, who was listed as a starter but has missed the last three games, did not play again.

WILL LESTER – STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER