Foster: UCLA Open Practice Tamed Rose Bowl Spectacle

Not many players have played under the Rose Bowl lights, and the Bruins' head coach wanted his players to get over the spectacle.

Jun 25, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; A general overall view of the Rose Bowl Stadium facade during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup between F Monterrey at Urawa Red Diamonds. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Few players have gotten to play under the historic Rose Bowl lights. It's a spectacle across all of college football.

And yet, the UCLA Bruins have a grand collection of new players who will be setting foot on the Rose Bowl field for the first time. And head coach DeShaun Foster used Saturday's open practice to tame the excitement that comes.

Sep 14, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster enters the field before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

"You kind of wanted gameday not to be the first time that they're going through all of this," Foster said during Monday's media availability. "Some guys, this is their first time being in the Rose Bowl, even coaches, too.

"So, it was just exciting just to get out there and do a little bit in front of the fans and try not to be too strenuous because I knew what kind of week we're about to have this week, and I really wanted to get after them this week. It was just good that they were able to get that out of the way, flush it, and now we can get going."

Regardless of how many fans pack the stands or how the late 8 P.M. PT start affects things, Foster assures there will be energy.

"No matter what we see out there, it's going to be fired up," Foster said about what environment he expects to see in Pasadena. "I think our team's going to be ready to go and I think our fans are ready to see us."

Tensions Rise as Utah Clash Looms

Sep 23, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Kamari Ramsey (27) and defensive back John Humphrey (6) react to a touchdown by the Utah Utes in the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Tensions rise when a team with as much anticipation for a big season as UCLA has to go through four weeks of camp against each other.

Naturally, with the Bruins' season opener against Utah getting closer by the day, Foster detailed how his squad is ready to lay it on someone else when Saturday comes.

"They're pretty locked in," Foster said Monday. "I just think that they're ready for another opponent. It's been a long road, just going against each other, and, you know, tempers are getting up there, and guys are finally ready to get to go against somebody else. It's a good time that it's finally got there."

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