UCLA Football: A New Hope
I have done a lot of thinking in the last few days about UCLA football and what they have accomplished since Jim Mora took over three years ago. Of course, in these few days it was more or less pondering what the heck went wrong against Stanford as the Bruins lost 31-10 at the Rose Bowl. It was a set-back, one that UCLA will learn from in the future. Do not think Mora and Co. will take this lying down, especially since Mora brought A New Hope to Westwood when he took over three years ago.
Nov 22, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
That got me thinking, especially in the backdrop of Hollywood, UCLA seems to be following a script, though not purposely, but indirectly they seem to be following the path of the rebels in the original Star Wars trilogy (rebels, #BruinRevolution… see? There is one connection already). Let me explain…
A New Hope
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This new hope was in the form of the hiring of Jim Mora and instantly he brought in a new way mentality to Westwood. The prequels to this story were the Karl Dorrell and Rick Neuheisel years that kept UCLA football in the dark for a long period of time. Sure they had their small victories, but not enough to over throw the Empires at the time: USC, Oregon and then Stanford. Just like the real Star Wars prequels, UCLA football was badly directed.
Then comes Mora and redshirt quarterback Brett Hundley who brought back a culture of winning, kind of like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker brought back hope to the galaxy. The supremacy of teams that ruled the Pac-12 in that time oppressed lesser Pac-12 teams, silencing them, if you will. UCLA was one of those, but no more. Mora and Hundley were leading a rebellion of Bruins back to the glory days. It all culminated at the end of their first season together when they blew up the Death Star Anthony Barr blew up Matt Barkley with a sack that ended his college career and the Trojan’s hopes of victory as the Bruins went on to win 38-28.
UCLA had improved, but three loses to end the season including a defeat at the hands of Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship Game and a smacking at the hands of Baylor in the Holiday Bowl left the Bruins in the cold for the rest of the winter, like being stranded on the ice-planet Hoth.
The Empire Strikes Back
Nov 22, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Remound Wright (22) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins continued their march against the Empire as they regrouped in the off-seaon before Mora’s second season. UCLA was once again ready to fight for power, but power was not so easily taken. The Bruins started that season 5-0, but ran into some trouble in Cloud City… Eugene, Oregon (get it… because it rains there a lot). The Bruins lost big to the Oregon Ducks and did the same the following week against Stanford.
The same thing happened this season against the Empire, I mean Stanford and Oregon, as the two Pac-12 powerhouses struck back against the young upstart Bruins. They were not about to relinquish control that easy and as a result, put the hurt on the Bruins for trying. UCLA’s four big loses at the hands of the Cardinal and the Ducks has kept the Bruins frozen, almost as if they were in carbonite.
The Bruins fought, but they could do nothing against the forces of evil. In addition, just like Luke Skywalker got his hand cut off, Hundley injured the thumb on his throwing hand and was unable to finish the game (these parallels are starting to freak me out).
Return of the Jedi
Nov 8, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora looks to the scoreboard during the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
We all know what happens in Return of the Jedi, yet we are months away from finding out what happens to UCLA football. But I will tell you this, as ROTJ started in the desert, so does UCLA’s 2015-16 season. Now you can argue Los Angeles/Pasadena is part of the desert, at least that is what it will feel like with two early September games at the Rose Bowl that are bound to be 80 degrees and above, but aiding in this desert setting will be games at UNLV, at Arizona and a contest with Arizona State in early October for a game at the Rose Bowl. Coincidence?
After those games, the Bruins play at Stanford on their sixth contest of the season, maybe for revenge? No, it will be for more. You see, the Jedi do not seek revenge, they seek to restore order and hopefully UCLA can restore order to the Pac-12 with a victory over the Cardinal. The first part of the conquest will be complete if the Bruins can finally take down the Cardinal. As for the setting, sure it is not Jabba the Hutt‘s barge but did you see what Stanford Stadium looked like before they “renovated” it? Yikes.
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The point I am trying to make here is that even though UCLA had a less than stellar ending to this season, it was necessary for the Bruins to go through it so that they know what to expect when they are properly ready to take on the Empire. Luke Skywalker got wrecked when he tried to take on Darth Vader before he was ready. He needed to have battle experience and learn they ways of the force so that he can harness his power.
In ROTJ, Skywalker was ready. Next season, UCLA will be ready. Just like Skywalker started the return of the Jedi, Mora and the Bruins will be ready to return to elite status with Conference Championships and, dare I say, National Championships. Additionally, he will have to do it with a new cast as next season Hundley might be gone, but another could step up in his place and take over this rebellion/revolution… could it be another new hope in five-star recruit Josh Rosen? The force is strong with this one.
Another New Hope
Sep 26, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; St. John Bosco quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks to pass against the Bishop Gorman Gaels at Fertitta Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Rest easy Bruins, though this seems like the end of The Empire Strikes Back and we have to wait light years for next season with little hope, I assure you, the Bruins will return. Stronger than ever.
Or I could be horribly wrong and next season could be more stale and uncomfortable than The Ewok Adventure.