'We Were Close': Foster Worries Eased Upon Watching Film

The scoreboard didn't reflect what DeShaun Foster saw from his Bruins upon re-watching UCLA's Week 1 loss to Utah.

Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster watches game action against the Utah Utes during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Film can do wonders for a football team. And for DeShaun Foster and UCLA, it made the second-year head coach more optimistic about what he saw in their 43-10 shellacking at the hands of Utah.

During Monday's media availability, Foster detailed his first takeaways upon re-watching the blunder just two days prior.

"The we were close," Foster said. "Like it wasn't exactly what I thought, you know, I was a little more disappointed right after the game, and then, seeing the film, it brought a little more life into me. Just because if we can execute, and there's a lot of things that we can actually fix. So, that's a bright spot that I saw in that.

Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster watches game action against the Utah Utes during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

"Talking to the team, I can tell that they were ready to hear those things and they saw the same thing, too."

Turning around and having to play UNLV on Saturday is a great opportunity to work out those kinks, but it's not necessarily going to be easy. The Rebels have two wins under their belts and are carrying momentum into Saturday's matchup.

Despite what Foster feels, there really wasn't much positive to glean from the Utah loss, but a specific player surely stood out to us.

Anthony Woods Due For Promotion?

Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Anthony Woods (6) runs the ball against the Utah Utes during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Believe it or not, there was one positive that came out of an otherwise bleak showing -- transfer running back Anthony Woods.

Against his former team, no less, Woods came in as UCLA's third-string running back, behind Jalen Berger and Jaivian Thomas, but came out of the game as much more.

Yes, the Bruins' rushing attack wasn't there, but Woods' three rushes for 13 yards were memorable. He also led the team with 48 receiving yards on three receptions, one of which was a 19-yard touchdown.

Another reception saw him destroy a Utes defender on a truck. Foster deemed Woods a "sleeper"heading into the season, but he may be the Bruins' most important back moving forward.

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