Offseason edition looking back on the 2014 season

The 2014 season was the one that many expected UCLA to make that big jump and be a BCS bowl team. Coming off a 10-win season and their star quarterback coming back. Jim Mora had many believing that UCLA was ready to establish themselves as a powerhouse. It was not going to come easy as UCLA had the hardest strength of schedule in the nation. They started off the season 4-0, which included a miracle win by Jerry Neuheisel over Texas. Before two losses to Utah and Oregon dropped them from No. 8 to out of the top 25.

Similar to the 2013 season. Those two straight losses in the middle of the season would have a huge impact on them. They would then rip off five straight wins. Moving to 9-2 on the season and looked to be on their way to the PAC-12 championship game. But as heavy favorites against Stanford at the Rose Bowl they would lose 31-10 and their season would finish with an Alamo Bowl appearance. A game they would win 40-35 over Kansas State, but it was a disappointment as many had larger hopes.

UCLA would finish the season at No. 10, which was their highest finish since 1998 under Bob Toledo. Hundley would leave for the NFL after a season of 22 touchdown passes and 10 rushing touchdowns. Paul Perkins established himself as a good building block as he ran for 1,575 yards and nine touchdowns. The defense regressed from the previous year as they gave up 28.1 points per game. As they were not able to replace the rushing rate that Anthony Barr provided to them.

At the conclusion of the season both leaders on defense which were Eric Kendricks and Owamagbe Odighizuwa graduated out. Leaving large holes on the defense to pair with needing a new quarterback. This seemed to be the best window they had to make a big run. Which all but went out the window with their collapse against Stanford. Although UCLA beat USC under Mora those first three seasons, Stanford seemed to always be the kryptonite.