From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
2023 UCLA Bruins football team
| 2023 UCLA Bruins football |
|---|
| Pac-12 Conference |
| 8–5 (4–5 Pac-12) |
| Chip Kelly (6th season) |
| Spread option |
| D'Anton Lynn (1st season) |
| 4–3 |
| Rose Bowl |
The 2023 UCLA Bruins football team represented the University of California, Los Angeles in the Pac-12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bruins were led by Chip Kelly in his sixth and final season at UCLA. They played their home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The season was the team's last season as members of Pac-12 before joining the Big Ten Conference in 2024.
UCLA finished the regular season with a 7–5 record, losing three of their last four. They won the LA Bowl over Boise State for their first bowl win in Kelly's six-year tenure and the Bruins' first since 2015. UCLA finished 8–5 for their third consecutive eight-win season and the program's second such streak since 1988.
Following the season on February 9, 2024, Kelly resigned to take the offensive coordinator position with Ohio State.
The UCLA Bruins football team drew an average home attendance of 47,951 in 2023.
On January 24, 2023, UCLA announced that it was hiring Kodi Whitfield as its new cornerbacks coach. On February 27, the school announced that it was hiring D'Anton Lynn as its defensive coordinator. Bill McGovern, director of football administration and former defensive coordinator, died on May 30, 2023.
-
ATH Anthony Adkins – Army
-
S Jordan Anderson – Bowling Green
-
WR Kyle Ford – USC
-
K Blake Glessner – Montana State
-
LB Jake Heimlicher – Penn
-
IOL Spencer Holstege – Purdue
-
OT Khadere Kounta – Old Dominion
-
TE Moliki Matavao – Oregon
-
LB Femi M. Oladejo – California
-
QB Collin Schlee – Kent State
-
RB Carson Steele – Ball State
-
WR J. Michael Sturdivant – California
-
OL Jake Wiley – Colorado
-
DL Keanu Williams – Oregon
-
K Nicholas Barr-Mira – Mississippi State
-
OL Baraka Beckett – Campbell
-
RB Christian Grubb – Portland State
-
EDGE Hayden Harris – Montana
-
DB Martell Irby – Arizona
-
DL Tyler Manoa – Arizona
-
LB Jake Newman – TBD
-
WR Matt Sykes – Rice
-
LB Jeremiah Trojan – Northern Arizona
-
CB Jelani Warren – Montana
-
Duke Clemens named to the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) 2023 Outland Trophy watch list
-
Laiatu Latu named to the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) 2023 Nagurski Trophy watch list
-
Chase Griffin was named to The Wuerffel Trophy watch list
-
Duke Clemens was named to the Rimington Trophy (most outstanding center) watch list
-
Carsen Ryan named to the Mackey Award (most outstanding tight end) watch list
-
J. Michael Sturdivant was placed on the Biletnikoff Award (outstanding receiver) watch list
-
Carson Steele named to the Doak Walker Award (top running back) watch list
-
Darius Muasau named to the Butkus Award (top linebacker) watch list
-
Laiatu Latu named to the Bednarik Award (defensive player) watch list
-
Kam Brown was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award (top offensive player) watch list
-
Laiatu Latu was named to the second-team of The Sporting News' College Football All-America Team
-
Dante Moore was selected to the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award watch list
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Coastal Carolina* | Rose BowlPasadena, CA | ESPN | W 27–13 | 43,705 | |
| September 9 | 4:30 p.m. | at San Diego State* | Snapdragon StadiumSan Diego, CA | CBS | W 35–10 | 32,017 | |
| September 16 | 2:00 p.m. | No. 17 (FCS) North Carolina Central* | No. 24 | Rose BowlPasadena, CA | P12N | W 59–7 | 38,343 |
| September 23 | 12:30 p.m. | at No. 11 Utah | No. 22 | Rice-Eccles StadiumSalt Lake City, UT | FOX | L 7–14 | 52,919 |
| October 7 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 13 Washington State | Rose BowlPasadena, CA | P12N | W 25–17 | 35,437 | |
| October 14 | 5:00 p.m. | at No. 15 Oregon State | No. 18 | Reser StadiumCorvallis, OR | FOX | L 24–36 | 37,600 |
| October 21 | 7:30 p.m. | at Stanford | No. 25 | Stanford StadiumStanford, CA | ESPN | W 42–7 | 30,225 |
| October 28 | 4:30 p.m. | Colorado | No. 23 | Rose BowlPasadena, CA | ABC | W 28–16 | 71,343 |
| November 4 | 7:30 p.m. | at Arizona | No. 19 | Arizona StadiumTucson, AZ | FS1 | L 10–27 | 44,956 |
| November 11 | 6:00 p.m. | Arizona State | Rose BowlPasadena, CA (Veteran & Armed Forces Appreciation) | P12N | L 7–17 | 56,436 | |
| November 18 | 12:30 p.m. | at USC | Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA (Victory Bell) | ABC | W 38–20 | 72,243 | |
| November 25 | 7:30 p.m. | California | Rose BowlPasadena, CA (rivalry, Senior Day Celebration) | ESPN | L 7–33 | 42,439 | |
| December 16 | 4:30 p.m. | vs. Boise State | SoFi StadiumInglewood, CA (LA Bowl) | ABC | W 35–22 | 32,780 | |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after October 31) - Released prior to gameAll times are in Pacific time |
| Statistics | CCU | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 21 | 19 |
| Total yards | 345 | 417 |
| Rushes/yards | 34–56 | 31–153 |
| Passing yards | 289 | 264 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 28–43–2 | 17–29–3 |
| Time of possession | 34:50 | 25:10 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Carolina | Passing | Grayson McCall | 27/42, 271 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Reese White | 8 carries, 21 yards | |
| Receiving | Sam Pinckney | 9 receptions, 139 yards, TD | |
| UCLA | Passing | Dante Moore | 7/12, 143 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Carson Steele | 13 carries, 76 yards | |
| Receiving | J. Michael Sturdivant | 5 receptions, 136 yards, TD |
| Statistics | UCLA | SDSU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 26 | 17 |
| Total yards | 550 | 259 |
| Rushes/yards | 39–254 | 33–63 |
| Passing yards | 296 | 196 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 18–29–0 | 20–38–3 |
| Time of possession | 25:05 | 34:55 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | Passing | Dante Moore | 17/27, 290 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | T. J. Harden | 9 carries, 91 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Josiah Norwood | 2 receptions, 87 yards, TD | |
| San Diego State | Passing | Jalen Mayden | 19/37, 196 yards, TD, 3 INT |
| Rushing | Kenan Christon | 9 carries, 27 yards | |
| Receiving | Mekhi Shaw | 5 receptions, 54 yards, TD |
This is the first meeting between the two schools.
| Statistics | NCCU | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 14 | 22 |
| Total yards | 245 | 614 |
| Rushes/yards | 37–103 | 39–404 |
| Passing yards | 142 | 210 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 31–17–1 | 17–10–1 |
| Time of possession | 36:13 | 23:47 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Central | Passing | Walker Harris | 12/18, 114 yards |
| Rushing | Latrell Collier | 14 carries, 48 yards | |
| Receiving | Quentin McCall | 4 receptions, 39 yards | |
| UCLA | Passing | Dante Moore | 8/12, 182 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Anthony Adkins | 10 carries, 96 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Kam Brown | 2 receptions, 74 yards, TD |
| Statistics | UCLA | UTAH |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 11 | 13 |
| Total yards | 243 | 219 |
| Rushes/yards | 32–9 | 48–102 |
| Passing yards | 234 | 117 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 15–35–1 | 9–17–0 |
| Time of possession | 25:32 | 34:28 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | Passing | Dante Moore | 15/35, 234 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | T. J. Harden | 11 carries, 31 yards | |
| Receiving | Carsen Ryan | 3 receptions, 69 yards | |
| Utah | Passing | Nate Johnson | 9/17, 117 yards, TD |
| Rushing | Jaylon Glover | 25 carries, 85 yards | |
| Receiving | Devaughn Vele | 2 receptions, 57 yards |
| Statistics | WSU | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 11 | 24 |
| Total yards | 216 | 471 |
| Rushes/yards | 19–12 | 53–181 |
| Passing yards | 204 | 290 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 20–40–2 | 22–44–2 |
| Time of possession | 21:45 | 38:15 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington State | Passing | Cam Ward | 22/44, 290 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Nakia Watson | 11 carries, 25 yards | |
| Receiving | Kyle Williams | 8 receptions, 85 yards | |
| UCLA | Passing | Dante Moore | 22/44, 290 yards,TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Carson Steele | 30 carries, 141 yards | |
| Receiving | Moliki Matavao | 3 receptions, 76 yards |
| Statistics | UCLA | OSU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 27 | 18 |
| Total yards | 453 | 415 |
| Rushes/yards | 51–287 | 28–133 |
| Passing yards | 166 | 282 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 15–34–3 | 16–26–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:15 | 29:45 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | Passing | Dante Moore | 14/33, 165 yards, TD, 3 INT |
| Rushing | Carson Steele | 22 carries, 110 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Logan Loya | 5 receptions, 48 yards, TD | |
| Oregon State | Passing | DJ Uiagalelei | 14/24, 266 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Damien Martinez | 15 carries, 90 yards | |
| Receiving | Silas Bolden | 5 receptions, 87 yards, TD |
| Statistics | UCLA | STAN |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 32 | 15 |
| Total yards | 503 | 292 |
| Rushes/yards | 54–221 | 17–24 |
| Passing yards | 282 | 268 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 25–34–0 | 27–45–1 |
| Time of possession | 36:56 | 23:04 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | Passing | Ethan Garbers | 20/28, 240 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Carson Steele | 20 carries, 76 yards, 3 TD | |
| Receiving | J. Michael Sturdivant | 5 receptions, 54 yards, TD | |
| Stanford | Passing | Ashton Daniels | 27/45, 268 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | Sedrick Irvin | 3 carries, 16 yards | |
| Receiving | Elic Ayomanor | 8 receptions, 90 yards |
| Statistics | COL | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 20 | 26 |
| Total yards | 242 | 487 |
| Rushes/yards | 24–25 | 45–218 |
| Passing yards | 217 | 269 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 27–43–0 | 20–28–2 |
| Time of possession | 26:46 | 33:14 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Passing | Shedeur Sanders | 27/43, 217 yards, TD |
| Rushing | Alton McCaskill | 2 carries, 14 yards | |
| Receiving | Xavier Weaver | 5 receptions, 86 yards | |
| UCLA | Passing | Ethan Garbers | 20/27, 269 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | T. J. Harden | 20 carries, 78 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Logan Loya | 7 receptions, 111 yards |
| Statistics | UCLA | ARIZ |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 17 | 23 |
| Total yards | 271 | 429 |
| Rushing yards | 29–114 | 35–129 |
| Passing yards | 157 | 300 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 17–33–0 | 25–33–1 |
| Time of possession | 24:46 | 35:14 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | Passing | Ethan Garbers | 13/21, 143 yards, TD |
| Rushing | Collin Schlee | 6 carries, 46 yards | |
| Receiving | Logan Loya | 3 receptions, 42 yards | |
| Arizona | Passing | Noah Fifita | 25/32, 300 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Jonah Coleman | 17 carries, 77 yards | |
| Receiving | Tetairoa McMillan | 4 receptions, 81 yards, TD |
| Statistics | ASU | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 21 | 15 |
| Total yards | 250 | 300 |
| Rushes/yards | 30–74 | 37–183 |
| Passing yards | 176 | 117 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 22–39–1 | 11–21–0 |
| Time of possession | 36:54 | 23:06 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State | Passing | Trenton Bourguet | 19/34, 149 yards, INT |
| Rushing | Cam Skattebo | 12 carries, 61 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Elijhah Badger | 12 receptions, 116 yards, TD | |
| UCLA | Passing | Collin Schlee | 11/18, 117 yards, TD |
| Rushing | Keegan Jones | 3 carries, 51 yards | |
| Receiving | Logan Loya | 3 receptions, 39 yards, TD |
| Statistics | UCLA | USC |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 19 | 17 |
| Total yards | 354 | 387 |
| Rushes/yards | 45–199 | 22–3 |
| Passing yards | 155 | 384 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 18–31–0 | 31–44–1 |
| Time of possession | 32:34 | 27:26 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | Passing | Ethan Garbers | 18/31, 155 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | T.J. Harden | 22 carries, 142 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Logan Loya | 9 receptions, 60 yards | |
| USC | Passing | Caleb Williams | 31/42, 384 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | MarShawn Lloyd | 8 carries, 17 yards | |
| Receiving | Brenden Rice | 8 receptions, 147 yards, TD |
UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers, who sat out the previous week with a foot injury, returned and passed for 155 yards and three touchdowns in a 38–20 win over the USC Trojans. Running back T. J. Harden ran for a career-high 142 yards on 22 carries, rushing for one touchdown and catching another. UCLA's defense held the Trojans to only three yards rushing and sacked USC quarterback Caleb Williams four times.
| Statistics | CAL | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 17 | 23 |
| Total yards | 302 | 379 |
| Rushes/yards | 32–124 | 36–70 |
| Passing yards | 178 | 309 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 19–30–2 | 30–47–2 |
| Time of possession | 30:01 | 29:59 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Passing | Fernando Mendoza | 19/30, 178 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Jaydn Ott | 21 carries, 80 yards | |
| Receiving | Jeremiah Hunter | 8 receptions, 101 yards, 2 TD | |
| UCLA | Passing | Dante Moore | 23/38, 266 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Carson Steele | 12 carries, 53 yards | |
| Receiving | Logan Loya | 9 receptions, 88 yards, TD |
| Statistics | BSU | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 15 | 18 |
| Plays–yards | 58–332 | 64–510 |
| Rushes–yards | 37–215 | 36–280 |
| Passing yards | 117 | 230 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 12–21–1 | 20–28–0 |
| Time of possession | 31:33 | 28:27 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing | CJ Tiller | 12/21, 117 yards, INT | |
| Rushing | George Holani | 17 carries, 138 yards, 2 TD | |
| Receiving | George Holani | 1 reception, 45 yards | |
| Passing | Ethan Garbers | 9/12, 152 yards, 2 TD | |
| Rushing | Collin Schlee | 7 carries, 127 yards | |
| Receiving | J. Michael Sturdivant | 4 receptions, 142 yards, TD |
UCLA won 35–22 over Mountain West Conference champion Boise State. It was the Bruins' first bowl win in Kelly's six-year tenure and the program's first since 2015. It was UCLA's third consecutive eight-win season, the second such streak in the program since 1988 under coach Terry Donahue.
| Statistics | OPP | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 0 | 0 |
| Plays–yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Rushes–yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Passing yards | 0,000 | 0,000 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 |
| Time of possession | 0:00 / game | 0:00 / game |
Source:
| Recipient | Award (Pac-12 Conference) | Week # | Date awarded | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dante Moore | Freshman Player of the Week | 2 | Sept. 11, 2023 | |
| Laiatu Latu | Defense Player of the Week | 6 | Oct. 9, 2023 | |
| Laiatu Latu | Defensive Lineman Player of the Week | 6 | Oct. 9, 2023 | |
| Laiatu Latu | Defensive Lineman of the Week | 12 | Nov. 20, 2023 | |
| Laiatu Latu | Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year | Dec. 5, 2023 |
- November 20, 2023 – Defensive Coordinator D’Anton Lynn was named to the Broyles Award semi-finalist list
- November 24, 2023 – Laiatu Latu is a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy
- November 28, 2023 – Laiatu Latu is a finalist for the Bednarik Award
- December 1, 2023 – Laiatu Latu is a finalist for the Hendricks Award
- December 6, 2023 – Laiatu Latu is the winner of the Lombardi Award (college football’s lineman of the year)
- December 7, 2023 – Laiatu Latu wins the Ted Hendricks Award
- December 11, 2023 – Laiatu Latu is the winner of the Pac-12's Morris Trophy
- December 16, 2023 – Ethan Garbers (QB) and Darius Muasau (LB) were MVP of the 2023 LA Bowl
Ask Mako anything about 2023 UCLA Bruins football team — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.
Research with MakoFree with your Surf account
Create a free account to save articles, ask Mako questions, and organize your research.
Sign up freeThis content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.
Report