Much of the UCLA Bruins’ fan base is in agreement: DeShaun Foster needs to go. UCLA dropped to 0-3 on Friday with a pathetic showing against the New Mexico Lobos. Should defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe be splitting town alongside Foster?
We wrote after the UNLV loss that “It would take a minor miracle for UCLA to make a bowl game at this point. The Bruins face Penn State, Ohio State, and USC, among others. How will this team even come close against those three opponents? UCLA has to go 6-4 in its remaining 10 games. With at least three surefire losses on the slate, the Bruins basically have to win six of seven games against equal opponents. Good luck with that. Missing a bowl would confirm UCLA as an irrelevant, below-average program.”
This is far worse than below average. UCLA might not even win a game this season. The likely outcome right now is 1-11, and that might be optimistic.
Super soft
The UCLA defense has been softer than a box of Kleenex this season and has shown no reason to believe things will change. Just as they have every game this season, the Bruins started terribly on Friday, falling behind double-digits early in the first half.
Opponents don’t respect UCLA
The Bruins’ rushing defense has been so bad that teams rarely even try to pass against UCLA. On Friday, UCLA allowed a whopping 298 rushing yards, which is the amount most teams would allow over the course of two weeks. The 298 rushing yards surpass the 286 rushing yards the Bruins allowed against Utah as the most they’ve allowed so far this year.
It could have been even worse
All turnovers require a bit of luck, but the two turnovers UCLA forced against New Mexico were particularly lucky. UCLA allowed a 4th and 1 conversion but the Lobos’ running back lost the ball while going down after converting the first down. The Bruins’ second turnover was even luckier, with the Lobos’ muffing a punt and the UCLA special teams jumping on the ball. While the two turnovers are a plus, it wasn’t because of any game-planning by Malloe or anyone on the Bruins’ sideline.
Rock bottom
As Friday’s game came to a close, the broadcast panned to Foster on the sideline with his head down. While only he knows what was going through his mind, he cannot be proud of anything his team has accomplished this season.
Embarrassing
The Bruins have been an embarrassment to more than just the university; the Bruins this season have been an embarrassment to the Big Ten Conference and the sport with their horrendous showings week-in and week-out. That’s not too harsh. That’s a simple reality.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: DeShaun Foster shouldn’t be the only UCLA coach fired after Friday night’s disaster
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
