The Bruins arguably have one of the easier early schedules, starting with Bowling Green on a sweltering Saturday at the Rose Bowl
If there was ever an ideal early-season schedule for a college football program in a major market with expectations to improve upon an 8-4 season, it would be hard to beat UCLA’s slate.
“We’ll try to get a dome built between now and then,” Bruins head coach Chip Kelly said this week. “I don’t know if that would work. You’ve got to deal with it.”The game will be the final season opener for fifth-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who came back for one more year at UCLA.
Thompson-Robinson had his best season in year four, leading the Pac-12 in passing efficiency while finishing in the top 10 in rushing yards per game. Thompson-Robinson already referred to Bobo, who had 74 receptions for 794 yards last year, as “my guy,” anticipating he’ll be “one of my more favorite man matchups.”
Some fresh faces will start on defense thanks to the transfer portal, including Azizi Hearn at cornerback and Darius Muasau at linebacker. The Murphy twins – outside linebackers who transferred North Texas – are expected to be key contributors on the edge. Gabriel Murphy is listed as a starter, with Grayson Murphy backing him up.
McGovern revealed he may hold back on rolling out his full defensive scheme, depending on the score and the looks Bowling Green is giving him.