What UCLA Must Repeat From Last Year’s Season

Football is starting up again, and the Bruins are looking to do some good things this year.

Jan 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head football coach Bob Chesney is introduced during the basketball game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Bruins had a lackluster season last year, finishing 3-9, a record that should have been much better, and also losing their head coach, DeShaun Foster, due to the turmoil.

However, in the off-season, the Bruins have been able to acquire a new head coach in Bob Chesney from James Madison University, and he has brought in many players with him to upgrade the team.

Dec 9, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Bob Chesney is introduced as UCLA Bruins football coach at press conference at Renee Luskin Conference Center Centennial Ballroom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Furthermore, he is currently working through a new play style with quarterback Nico Iamaleava to get him into a winning position, but it won't be the first time he has been able to win, as he had two great games last season against MSU and Penn State while with JMU.

Against the Spartans and the Nittany Lions, it didn't look like the same UCLA team on the field, and now that spring camp is in full swing, it is time to see what UCLA will be aiming to repeat this year.

The First Game UCLA Must Model: Penn State and the Element of Surprise

Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9,right) hugs new offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions 42-37 at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

• Against the Nittany Lions, the Bruins started strong with 10 points in the first quarter, keeping the game surprisingly close against a team projected to do great things.

• But in the second quarter, they flipped a switch and scored 17 points with no response, shocking the Nittany Lions and leaving them unable to respond until the second half.

Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) takes hits from UCLA Bruins linebacker Jalen Woods (9) and defensive back Rodrick Pleasant (18) during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

• While things did slow down and UCLA got caught up, the lead was big enough that the Bruins did not have to worry about letting the game slip away.

• That element of surprise will be incredibly useful for the Bruins this year, as their expectations are much lower after last season, and they could pull off an unexpected win against a highly ranked opponent by coming out hot and ready.

The Second Game UCLA Must Model: MSU and the Element of Momentum

UCLA's Ezavier Staples, center, holds up a Michigan State towel while celebrating with the team after the Bruins win over Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

• The more important attribute for UCLA came against the Spartans, when they completely dominated in a blowout victory, riding the momentum from the Penn State game.

• In this upcoming season, the Bruins need to find momentum anywhere they can so that when big matches come, they can have an upper hand.

Dec 9, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins football coach Bob Chesney (left) and athletic director Martin Jarmond at introductory press conference at Renee Luskin Conference Center Centennial Ballroom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

• They can do this even now in spring camp through Iamaleava and his supporting cast, as well as by building some preseason hype around him; however, it will all rely on Chesney, who is in charge of preparing them for the season ahead.