Offseason edition looking back on the 2015 season

The 2015 season would see the Bruins storm off to a tremendous start. Making their way all the way up to No. 7 in the nation. With star quarterback Brett Hundley heading to the NFL. It was seen as a gigantic win that Jim Mora was able to bring in the number one QB recruit in California in Josh Rosen. He had a ton of talent and was a day one plug-in and start. UCLA started the season 4-0 while Rosen was displaying superstar abilities as the signal caller.

Similar to the previous two seasons. The Bruins would lose two straight games in the middle of the season. It was a common theme in the Mora era that there were always two games in a row that they lost after starting fast. One of those losses was to Stanford again. Who just completely had UCLA’s number and knew how to beat them every time. UCLA scored 32.2 points per game on offense as Rosen threw for 3,670 yards and 23 touchdowns as a true freshman.

Paul Perkins again led the way in the backfield as he ran for 1,343 yards and 14 touchdowns. Then Jordan Payton was Rosen’s top target as he caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns. The offense was able to have some high scoring games as the defense was middle of the pack in terms of yards and points. As they saw players head off to the NFL and needed new leaders to step up in their place.

Kenny Clark and Tak McKinley started their ascent to becoming future first round picks. Both were able to be nightmares in the backfield and rushing the quarterback. Kenny Young and Aaron Wallace would also become future later round picks. As UCLA would finish 8-5 on the season stumbling into the finish line. They would lose to USC for the first time in four years and then lose 37-29 to Nebraska in the Foster Farms Bowl. Another season that started off really well and then just fell off quickly.