Bruins’ latest loss highlights familiar problems

The same issues that doomed UCLA in its opener resurface in road loss to UNL

- BEN BOLCH

IAN MAULE Getty Images KWAZI GILMER of UCLA catches a pass over Andrew Powdrell of host Nevada Las Vegas during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday night.

This wasn't close, no matter what the scoreboard said. This was a full-blown debacle.

Given a chance to quickly right things after a season-opening blowout loss, UCLA instead doubled down on disappointment.

There was another terrible start. A defense that was slow and often out of position. An offense couldn’t sustain drives until it was too late.

Even with an inspired comeback that fell short after a Nico Iamaleava pass was tipped and intercepted with 52 secondsleft, the Bruins’ 30-23 loss to Nevada Las Vegas on Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium showcased many of the same problems that had plagued them a week ago.

After reviewing the footage of his team’s 33-point setback against Utah, UCLA coach DeShaun Foster pinpointed all the things that nearly went right and said his team was “close” to executing the plays it needed to win.

Where are the Bruins now? Ina scary place. They are 0-2 for the first time since they lost their first three games in 2019 on the way to finishing 4-8.

A year after losing two games over the season’s first three months on the way to helping Tennessee reach the College Football Playoff, Iamaleava has already absorbed that many losses after two games as a Bruin.