This post was updated Dec. 2 at 12:12 a.m.

When a team loses the two most consequential games of its season – one that gave hope for bowl contention and another that offered crosstown victory over a longtime rival – it can be hard to bounce back.

And the ensuing contest is rarely a pretty one.

But a win was a win for UCLA football (5-7, 3-6 Big Ten), which defeated Fresno State (6-6, 4-3 Mountain West) by a score of 20-13 Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins ended the 2024 season – their first in the Big Ten and under coach DeShaun Foster – without a bowl game but with a victory. 

“This game went very similar to how our season went,” Foster said. “Had a few ups and downs, but my guys are very resilient, continue to play hard, don’t let things affect them. And I’m just blessed that I had the type of team that continued to fight and were able to come out of half and score some points and get it going.”

Despite the triumph, UCLA’s greatest hindrance Saturday was its seemingly innate tendency to shoot itself in the foot – the same pitfall that plagued the team through its 5-7 season. 

A facemask call early in the second stanza wiped a blocked punt recovered in enemy territory off the board – just one of the Bruins’ eight penalties. Ultimately, UCLA conceded 70 yards on faulty plays, preventing the team from converting on its drives.

Foster stresses his “discipline” pillar – the tenant that seemingly steers this team.  

Ironically, however, the Bruins’ shortcomings didn’t stop with yellow flags – they extended into the red zone.  

The Bruins were successful just two times on their five trips to the Bulldogs’ 20-yard line, converting a field goal on two of the possessions and even turning the ball over on downs after sophomore running back Leo Kemp dropped a pass on what appeared to be a walk-in touchdown.

“We were kind of getting in our own way in that first half, so it was more or less, we have to get out there and execute,” Foster said. “Stop doing things that are going to stop drives and put us behind the chains – just have to find ways to execute the play.”

UCLA’s offense allowed the Fresno State defense to stack the box, play press-man coverage and cover the field from sideline to sideline. The crux of the Bulldogs’ defense came from their pass rush – garnering three sacks and six tackles for loss across the contest. The Bulldogs also gave the Bruin pass-catchers difficulty, logging five pass breakups across the game.

Moreover, the Bulldogs limited the Bruins’ ground game, holding running backs redshirt junior Anthony Frias II and senior Keegan Jones to 3.3 and 1.1 yards per carry, respectively. 

Prior to Saturday’s duel, the Bulldogs yielded at least 100 rushing yards in seven of their last eight matchups, while the Bruins were on the heels of a rushing resurgence – registering at least 100 yards on the ground in three of their last four battles.

“T.J. (junior running back T.J. Harden) missed the last two days because he was sick, so that was one guy that was out,” Foster said. “Keegan was already nursing an ankle, so that was unfortunate. But next-man mentality: We’re down to our fourth left tackle, next man up. We’re down to our third running back, next man up.”

Fresno State’s stifling of UCLA’s rushing attack may indicate a lack of push generated by the Bruins’ offensive line – a plausible explanation, considering the four flags attributed to the offensive front, three of which came on the first drive of the game alone. 

Despite a lack of time in the pocket, redshirt senior quarterback Ethan Garbers held his own under center, notching 289 passing yards on a 65% completion percentage. While the signal-caller hit eight different pass-catchers Saturday afternoon, Moliki Matavao was his principal offensive threat – the senior tight end who garnered 120 receiving yards on eight receptions.

“He (Matavao) stepped up the whole season,” Foster said. “He’s made plays all year, and you know he’s most definitely going to be missed.”

While the Bulldogs’ defense created chaos on all three levels, the Bruins’ defensive unit combated with equal disruption. 

Redshirt junior linebacker Carson Schwesinger continued to stake his claim for the Butkus Award, an annual honor given to the nation’s best collegiate linebacker. 

“If you’re watching this, and you have a vote, turn the tape on and really take some time to study what Carson has done in the time that he’s done it as well,” Medrano said. “It’s pretty special, and I couldn’t have asked to play next to anybody else besides Carson this entire year. So he’s got my vote if I could vote.”

The former walk-on recorded 15 total tackles alongside one sack and one pass breakup. He also notched a blocked punt that was recovered by UCLA, though it was later reversed by a Bruin facemask penalty.

Schwesinger’s partner in crime – senior linebacker Kain Medrano – also had a sizable impact on Saturday’s affair, garnering eight tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. 

Defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe commanded his group to hold Bulldog quarterback Mikey Keene to 219 passing yards and just one passing touchdown, ultimately awarding the Bruins an opportune end to the 2024 season. 

“This season has been full of ups and downs, but being able to get knocked down but get back up and come swinging harder every time – I think that’s kind of ingrained in us, ingrained into this culture,” Matavao said. “There’s going to be a good future for him (Foster) in this program.”