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UCLA Football: They painted the Bruin red, so its time to paint the bell blue

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 23: Students sit around the Bruin Bear statue during lunchtime on the campus of UCLA on April 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. According to reports, half of recent college graduates with bachelor's degrees are finding themselves underemployed or jobless. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 23: Students sit around the Bruin Bear statue during lunchtime on the campus of UCLA on April 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. According to reports, half of recent college graduates with bachelor's degrees are finding themselves underemployed or jobless. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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If the UCLA football team needed any more motivation against USC for the annual crosstown showdown, they got it as it was reported that the Bruin Bear had been vandalized.

As reported by the Daily Bruin, the Bruin Bear in Westwood Plaza has been vandalized. It was found covered in red and yellow paint two days before the rivalry game between the USC and UCLA football teams.

RELATED: Double Podcast – UCLA vs. USC and Ben Bolch of the L.A. Times

For years, UCLA and USC students have engaged in pre-game shenanigans which have included defacing their rival’s campus statues.

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In recent years it has been quiet on that front. At USC, security monitors the campus after dark and at UCLA, they have constructed walls to protect the John Wooden statue, the Jackie Robinson “42”, and the Bruin Bear.

On Thursday, the rivalry once again took a graffitic turn as the Bear was found in the colors of UCLA’s opponents, sparking displeasure in the Bruin camp.

According to the Daily Bruin, the walls were put in place after a 2009 vandalism incident which cost over $20,000 in repairs. Expect something similar this time around.

One question that was consistent with Bruins fans on social media, “where was security?” Clearly, this could have been avoided, but nevertheless, this was a shot at the Bruins.

Emotions are high this week, especially since there is displeasure in both fanbases. UCLA has gone 2-8 with no shot at a bowl game. USC is an underwhelming 5-5. If there was anything to fight for, it is the right to say, at the very least, you beat your rival in a season of disappointment.

UCLA wants to get the victory and with the news of the defacement of the symbol of their spirit, this should serve as motivation for getting the win over USC. They painted the Bear red, so now its time to paint the Victory Bell blue.

Next. Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs. USC Trojans 2018. dark

I guess no one told the Trojans not to poke the bear.