WATCH: DeShaun Foster previews UCLA’s opener against Utah
Before his beginning practice Monday evening, UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster gave his first extensive thoughts on the season opener against Utah at the Rose Bowl this weekend.
The Utes received the second-most votes among teams not ranked in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll.
“You just know that this is a team that’s not going to be themselves,” Foster said. “They kind of take on Coach’s personality. Hard-nosed team that’ll work hard. I think they were probably one of the least-penalized teams last season. So, we gotta make sure we’re not in there beating ourselves. And continue to just execute, and things should go our way.”
It won’t quite be the usual Utah team led in recent years by head coach Kyle Whittingham when the teams met as part of the Pac-12 Conference.
The Utes, now in the Big 12, have an offense led by New Mexico transfer quarterback Devon Dampier. Ex-Lobos offensive coordinator Jason Beck also is now in Salt Lake City.
“That gives us a little bit of film we can watch,” Foster said. “It’s a different team, but you kinda get the scheme down and see how he plays as a player. Very dynamic. Uses his legs, uses his arm. Good player and just looking forward to this Saturday.”
The Bruins’ last meeting with the Utes was a 14-7 loss two years ago. Utah’s last trip to Pasadena went in UCLA’s favor, 42-32, in 2022.
Foster broke down where things stand with his team entering game week including some of the remaining position battles and more. Watch the full media session below:
DeShaun Foster previews opener against Utah (8/25)
BruinBlitz publisher Matt Moreno contributed to this report.
