The 2017 Bruins season would signal another change at head coach. Jim Mora would coach the majority of the season before having his contract let go after another disappointing year. The team would finish 6-7 on the season which included a bowl game loss in the Cactus Bowl to Kansas State. Mora went 5-6 before giving way to Jedd Fisch to coach the last regular season game to make UCLA eligible for a bowl in a 30-27 win over the Cal Golden Bears.
The season started out very well with UCLA going 2-0 to open the season. Which included one of the craziest games in college football history in the opener. UCLA was down 44-10 late in the third quarter and came all the way back with 35 unanswered to win 45-44. It was one of the largest come backs ever and to do so that late in the game. Josh Rosen threw for 491 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, that would be the best we would see of UCLA who would make it to No. 25 and then fall apart.
College Football Game of the Day!
— College Football Alerts (@CFBAlerts_) August 3, 2023
Texas A&M vs. UCLA (2017)
- UCLA QB Josh Rosen threw for 491 yards and four touchdowns
- Aggies’ Trayveon Williams and Keith Ford combined for 317 yards rushing and five touchdowns
Josh Rosen faked the spike and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass… pic.twitter.com/nLTsfHsvaF
The Bruins offense was pretty solid on the season as they were able to score 32.2 points per game. But the defense ravaged of talent that all left for the NFL was one of the worst in the nation giving up 36.6 per game. Rosen had a good season throwing for 3,756 yards and 26 touchdowns. Which he would then use to insert his name into the 2018 NFL Draft where he would go No. 10 overall to the Arizona Cardinals. Jordan Lasley also broke out and was one of the best receivers in the nation with 69 catches for 1,264 yards and nine touchdowns. Averaging 140.4 yards per game and shredding secondaries.
Friendly reminder: @UCLAFootball's Jordan Lasley is DANGEROUS!
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) April 26, 2018
Check the facts:
6⃣9⃣ catches were 7th most in a single season for UCLA
1⃣,2⃣6⃣4⃣ yards 3rd most in a single season for UCLA
Where will he land in the @NFL? pic.twitter.com/rOdOB2dlH8
It was a disappointing ending to Mora’s career at UCLA. There were so many opportunities for UCLA to take that next step. Analysts continually put them into playoff contention and they just could never take that next step. It was always games they were favorites in and just couldn’t get it done. He finished his UCLA career at 46-30. But over his last two seasons could only get them to 9-14 over 23 games and players not looking energized to play.