In a dramatic season opener, the UCLA Bruins showcased both their vulnerabilities and resilience as they rallied to a narrow victory against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in DeShaun Foster’s much-anticipated debut as head coach. The 31-28 win at the Rose Bowl was far from a smooth sail for the Bruins, who had to claw back from a double-digit deficit to avoid a potentially catastrophic start to the season.
A Debut to Remember—For Better and Worse
When DeShaun Foster was named head coach of the UCLA Bruins, expectations were high. The former Bruins star, who had enjoyed a successful career in the NFL before transitioning into coaching, was seen as the perfect fit to lead UCLA back to prominence. Yet, as the Bruins stepped onto the field against Hawaii, it became clear that the road ahead might be more challenging than anticipated.
Foster, a dynamic running back during his playing days, has been lauded for his ability to connect with players and instill a sense of discipline and toughness. However, in the early stages of the game, it seemed the Bruins were struggling to find their rhythm under their new leader. The Rainbow Warriors, under head coach Todd Graham, took advantage of UCLA’s tentative start, capitalizing on defensive lapses and missed opportunities to build a surprising 14-point lead by the second quarter.
Hawaii’s Early Dominance
Hawaii’s offense, led by quarterback Brayden Schager, was quick to exploit UCLA’s vulnerabilities. Schager, showing poise beyond his years, orchestrated two impressive scoring drives that left the Bruins’ defense scrambling. The first touchdown came on a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Zion Bowens, who slipped past the UCLA secondary for the score. The second came on a methodical drive that was capped off by a 5-yard run from Dedrick Parson, giving Hawaii a 14-0 lead and silencing the Rose Bowl crowd.
The Bruins, on the other hand, struggled to find any consistency on offense. Quarterback Ethan Garbers, who was handed the starting job after a competitive offseason, appeared rattled in his first outing as the team’s leader. Under pressure from Hawaii’s defense, Garbers made several errant throws and was sacked twice in the first half. The running game, expected to be a strength under Foster’s guidance, was stifled by a disciplined Rainbow Warriors front seven.
Turning Point: A Critical Defensive Stand
As the second quarter wound down, the Bruins found themselves at a critical juncture. Down 14-0 and with Hawaii driving once again, UCLA’s defense needed to make a stand to prevent the game from slipping away entirely. On a crucial third down at the Bruins’ 25-yard line, linebacker Darius Muasau, a former Hawaii standout who transferred to UCLA, made what would prove to be a game-saving play.
Muasau, reading the play perfectly, burst through the line and sacked Schager for a 10-yard loss, pushing Hawaii out of field goal range. The sack not only forced a punt but also ignited a spark in the Bruins that had been missing up until that point.
With just under two minutes left in the first half, UCLA’s offense finally came to life. Garbers, shaking off his earlier struggles, connected with wide receiver Kam Brown on a deep pass that covered 45 yards, putting the Bruins in scoring position for the first time in the game. Two plays later, Garbers found tight end Hudson Habermehl in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 14-7 at halftime.
Foster’s Halftime Speech: Rallying the Troops
As the Bruins headed to the locker room, the tension was palpable. DeShaun Foster, facing the first major test of his coaching career, delivered a halftime speech that would set the tone for the second half. According to players, Foster emphasized the need to trust the game plan and play with the intensity and passion that had been lacking in the first half.
“Coach Foster told us we weren’t playing our game,” said Garbers after the game. “He reminded us that we’re a family and that we’ve been through too much to let this one slip away. We needed to play like Bruins, and that’s exactly what we did in the second half.”
Second-Half Resurgence
The Bruins came out of the locker room with a renewed sense of purpose. On the opening drive of the second half, UCLA marched down the field with a balanced attack that kept Hawaii’s defense on its heels. Running back T.J. Harden, who had been held in check during the first half, broke free for a 30-yard gain that set up another Garbers touchdown pass, this time to wide receiver J.Michael Sturdivant. The score tied the game at 14-14, and the momentum had clearly shifted.
Hawaii, however, was not ready to fold. Schager responded with a drive of his own, leading the Rainbow Warriors down the field and finishing with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Bowens, who once again found a gap in the Bruins’ secondary. The score put Hawaii back in front, 21-14, but UCLA was now in rhythm and would not be denied.
On the ensuing kickoff, Bruins return man Logan Loya electrified the crowd with a 65-yard return that set UCLA up deep in Hawaii territory. Two plays later, Harden powered into the end zone from 10 yards out, tying the game once again at 21-21.
The Final Quarter: A Test of Nerves
As the game entered the fourth quarter, the pressure mounted on both sides. UCLA’s defense, which had struggled early on, began to clamp down on Hawaii’s offense. Muasau, who had been a thorn in Hawaii’s side all game, made another crucial play by intercepting Schager on a tipped pass at midfield, giving the Bruins a golden opportunity to take the lead.
With the ball at the Hawaii 45-yard line, Garbers led a methodical drive that chewed up clock and kept the Rainbow Warriors on their heels. The drive culminated in a 3-yard touchdown run by Colson Yankoff, putting UCLA ahead 28-21 with just over six minutes to play.
Hawaii, facing a seven-point deficit, refused to go quietly. Schager, showing the poise that had kept the Rainbow Warriors in the game, engineered a drive that reached the UCLA 15-yard line with under two minutes to go. But the Bruins’ defense, which had bent but not broken in the second half, came up with one final stand. On fourth down, with the game on the line, Schager’s pass to Bowens in the end zone was broken up by cornerback John Humphrey, preserving the lead and sending the Rose Bowl into a frenzy.
Sealing the Victory
With Hawaii out of timeouts, UCLA was able to run out the clock and secure the victory. The final whistle brought a mixture of relief and celebration as the Bruins avoided what would have been a disastrous loss to start the season. For DeShaun Foster, the win was a baptism by fire, a reminder of the challenges that come with being a head coach but also a testament to the resilience of his team.
Looking Ahead
While the win was far from perfect, it provided valuable lessons for the Bruins as they move forward. The slow start and defensive lapses highlighted areas that need immediate attention, but the second-half resurgence showed the team’s potential when firing on all cylinders.
“We’ve got a lot to work on,” Foster said in his post-game press conference. “But I’m proud of the way the guys fought back. We’ve got heart, and we showed that today. Now, it’s about building on this and getting better every week.”
For UCLA fans, the season opener was a rollercoaster of emotions, but it ultimately ended in celebration. As the Foster era begins, there is cautious optimism that the Bruins can build on this victory and make some noise in the Pac-12. However, one thing is clear: under DeShaun Foster, this UCLA team will fight to the very end, no matter the odds.