Can UCLA capture 2022 magic in possible final game at Rose Bowl?

UCLA welcomes in Washington amid legal battles in what could be the last Bruins game at the iconic Rose Bowl. The last time Washington visited UCLA was in 2022. Both teams came into the game at 4-0 with Washington ranked 12th and UCLA 18th. Washington was 3.5 favorites in the game and Michael Penix Jr. was as in early Heisman talks. UCLA for the most part shut him down in a 40-32 win. Only being close as the Bruins got too comfortable down the stretch and trying to coast to a win. as it was 40-16 in the fourth quarter.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson continued his spectacular start to the 2022 season. UCLA started to get into playoff talks as their resume was building with big wins. The best the team had looked since early 2015, as they were playing tremendous football. They were able to top off the win over Washington with a win against Utah. Cracking the top 10 for the first time in over seven years.

Washington was a big-time win, because for the first few years Chip Kelly had trouble winning big games. But was able to breakthrough there and many people thought that was going to be the turning moment. It turned out that was the last time that UCLA was going to compete with top notch teams before the Kelly era ended the year after. When he decided to give up his head coach gig in February, leaving UCLA in a tough spot.

Fast forward to 2025 and Washington visits the Rose Bowl again. Washington is still a very relevant team, but UCLA has gone in a whole different direction. The Bruins are looking to get to 4-7 on the season in what possibly could be the last game in the Rose Bowl. If this is truly it, hopefully they can recapture some of that 2022 magic to send it off on a positive note. Because next season could see the home opener at Sofi stadium in Inglewood.