“Our intention is to play our rival the last game of the year every season,” Jarmond said, “and we’ve made that clear to the Big Ten and our network partners that’s our preference. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) He recalled a conversation he had with Ken Niumatalolo, the program’s director of leadership who coached at Navy the previous two decades. On Monday, I asked Kelly whether he would prefer that UCLA finish with USC. Next year will mark the ninth straight season the Bruins have played another game after facing the Trojans. The privileged program across town nearly always finishes its season with a rivalry home game, alternating between UCLA and Notre Dame. The whole thing, especially coming off a loss to Arizona State loss a week earlier, seemed cathartic.Īnd now? Now the Bruins have to get up for Cal, a competent opponent that desperately wants to win the last Pac-12 contest between the programs and clinch bowl eligibility. Quarterback Ethan Garbers and his teammates crafted a mocking Instagram post that mimicked the one Caleb Williams posted after the Trojans’ victory last year.

Chip Kelly rang the Victory Bell and looked about as buoyant as anyone could remember afterward.

UCLA rightfully celebrated over the weekend as the toast of the town.

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