WATCH: UCLA-USC rivalry game marks start for some, end for others
The 2025 UCLA football season will, by no means, be looked at as anything but tumultuous, but Saturday’s crosstown rivalry game at 19th-ranked USC represents an opportunity for the Bruins to at least say they beat the most hated opponent on the schedule.
For some like right guard Garrett DiGiorgio, a fifth-year senior, it will mark the final game of his collegiate career. After Wednesday’s practice, DiGiorgio said the time for reminiscing on the final stages of his journey at UCLA started this past weekend against Washington in his last home game at the Rose Bowl.
The four-year starter is looking forward to the chance to end his career on a high note and secure a winning record in the rivalry. For DiGiorgio’s sake, it is worth noting that the road team has won each of the last five head-to-head meetings in the battle for the Victory Bell.
DiGiorgio wants to see the bell coated in blue one last time before leaving Westwood.
“We’ve been undefeated over there for the last two years that I’ve been here. I’m looking to go out on top, 3-2 against these guys,” DiGiorgio said.
“I mean, we want to paint it blue. We want to get it back, we want to ring it after the game. The guys, they planted flags on our field last year. I don’t know if we’re going to reciprocate that energy ’cause I don’t know if that’s going to start anything, but we’re definitely looking forward to getting that bell back.”
Garrett DiGiorgio media availability (11/26)
Then, there are others like UCLA freshman linebacker Scott Taylor.
While it will be Taylor’s first experience in the rivalry, the Los Angeles-Loyola graduate did not need much of an education on its importance when the team was shown a video Sunday in the team meeting.
While there are friends on the other side, such as Trojans backup quarterback Husan Longstreet, there are bragging rights at stake.
“I’m really excited,” Taylor said. “I know this means a lot to everyone here, including myself being from L.A. We’re all real focused.
“I mean, when you walk by campus and the bear is boxed up and John Wooden’s (statue) boxed up, you get the idea of how important this is. Also, like, they show pictures of guys ringing the bell and that just looks like an awesome feeling, so we’re all striving for that.”
