The season comes to an end as UCLA falls to USC for the Victory Bell

The 2025 UCLA Bruins football season has now come to a close as they lose 29-10 to their crosstown rival USC Trojans. The Victory Bell will stay at the Los Angeles Coliseum and now UCLA will venture into the offseason that is set to be very busy. That could come as early as Sunday as UCLA will more than likely relieve Tim Skipper of his interim coaching duties making way for a new hire. UCLA will need to act fast to get a head coach in that can begin recruiting high school kids as well as any portal transfers.

UCLA came into this game as 21.5-point underdogs, which was seen as a large line. UCLA played well enough in the first half to take a 10-7 lead into the locker room. As Skipper elected for a short field goal before halftime instead of going for it on 4th and 1. The rationale behind it could be seen as UCLA would get the ball out of half and could capitalize. That did not happen and it ended up being the last points of the night for the Bruins. Completely stalling out in the second half and not being able to take advantage of a USC defense that has struggled this season.

The Bruins played much better defense than they had in recent weeks when they were carved up by Indiana, Ohio State, Nebraska and Washington. One area that still struggled was third down defense, where they were one of the worst in the nation at being able to get off the field. An emphasis for the new staff will be building the trenches to get more pressure, leading to defensive backs not needing to cover for five to seven seconds which causes breakdowns. The Bruins were helped out by tremendous special teams play in the first half forcing two field goal mishaps by USC.

Kwazi Gilmer had a very efficient game for the Bruins with 11 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown and Nico Iamaleava showed his toughness coming back to play in this game. A game where some said could do more harm than good for his future. He did not quit on his teammates and whatever his decision is, we will remember that he rode it out to the end. In an era where so many players would sit out if it does not benefit them.

Well Bruins fans, this is it. A 3-9 season is one of the worst season records in UCLA history. Tied with Chip Kelly's first season in 2018. The only worse record in the last 55 years was 1971 when UCLA went 2-7-1. A new era is now set to begin and it is time to enjoy the ride!