Chip Kelly shares what it means that UCLA players dedicated USC win to him

Chip Kelly and the UCLA Bruins advanced to 7-4 on the year and 4-4 in the Pac-12 conference following a dominating victory over crosstown rival USC. The Bruins outperformed the Trojans in nearly all facets of the game as they led wire to wire, picking up the 38-20 victory in Week 12.

After the win, it was revealed that the UCLA players had dedicated the victory to their head coach, who was rumored to be let go at the conclusion of the season. The gesture by the Bruins players was well received by Kelly, as he would reveal on Monday. The UCLA head coach took a moment during preparation for the California Golden Bears in Week 13 to speak on the dedication.

“Well, I dedicated our performance to them, so we’re on the same page,” Kelly said jokingly. “I think this team is extremely close, and we love those guys; they love us. There’s a neat connection on this football team.”

“You get excited as a coach when you can come to work every day with the group of players that we have here. They’re awesome. I think this coaching staff is fantastic.”

Kelly lists what stood out to him on film of USC game

The Bruins headman also shared what he liked in UCLA’s dominating performance over USC.

“Yeah, our overall team in all phases,” said Kelly. “I think we have five touchbacks. Our punt team had a down on the nine (and) down one. Special teams did a really nice job. Our defense coming up with three takeaways was an outstanding job; two caused fumbles and the interception by Devin [Kirkwood].

I think both sides of the ball complemented each other. We ran the ball well against them. I think T.J. [Harden] had 142. [Ethan] Garbers kept some players alive on third down. He made some big runs on third down, but I think we stayed on schedule. We converted in the redzone. So, everything we talked about trying to get accomplished going into that game that we knew we had to do, we did.

UCLA played a balanced and complimentary game against USC, rushing for 199 yards and passing for 155 for 354 yards of total offense. Not only that, but the Bruins were 13-12 on 3rd downs while holding the Trojans to 4-13. As Kelly mentioned, UCLA won the turnover battle 3-0 and also beat USC in time of possession: 32:34 to 27:26.