And if you’re a USC or UCLA fan, you probably don’t find them funny. They probably seem kind of sick and twisted to you. Cruel, even.

Because all the Trojans’ College Football Championship puzzle is missing are those pesky defensive pieces, corner pieces that slipped out of their grasp and inexplicably disappeared. I assure you, if you spent months working on this glorious vision only to realize it’s not going to come together, you’d cry too.

And the Bruins’ have those very pieces!

But UCLA’s puzzle isn’t looking too hot either – because what it is missing is a crown-shaped piece under center, a dependable quarterback to complement a historically effective defense. And, be real, you’d get frustrated and “un-unified” too if giving up 129 yards on the ground (fewer than USC’s defense has in all but three games) proved insurmountable, as it did in last week’s 27-10 loss to Arizona.

Entering Saturday’s games at No. 6 Oregon and at home against Arizona State, USC and UCLA both have something the other wishes it did: The Bruins (6-3 overall, 3-3 Pac-12) have the defense the Trojans need. And USC (7-3, 5-2) has the offense UCLA needs.

And I’m sorry, but what in the 24-hour Alaskan winter darkness is going on?

It’s like a mirror image: identical, but backward.

All gas, all gas. All brakes, all brakes. Nothing in moderation.

And a couple of unranked football teams. A big bowl of pudding worth of proof: Football really is the sum of all its parts.

Maybe it’s the ghosts of the Pac-12 past delivering some penance to the schools that punctured the dam last year, the institutions that were first to announce their pending departure to the Big Ten, which took out the legs from and essentially delivered the death knell for the 64-year-old conference?

Or maybe it’s just the nature of the sport – of the quintessential team sport?

Caleb Williams tonight in the loss against Washington:

• 27/35 (77.1%)
• 328 total yards
• 4 total touchdowns

He gave it his all tonight
pic.twitter.com/4mP4lN4am9

— Ensign Gridiron (@EnsignGridiron) November 5, 2023

You can have Superman on your team, a Heisman Trophy-winning QB who is driving an offense averaging a gaudy 45.5 points per game – second both in the Pac-12 and nationally, among all FBS teams – and still be losing games.

You can have a new star defensive coordinator like D’Anton Lynn, who has engineered a unit that’s on pace to set school records in both rushing defense (70.4 yards per game) and sacks per game (3.8 per game) – both second-best in FBS rankings – and still be losing games.

PICKED!

Alex Johnson comes up with his team-high fourth interception of the year, and the Bruins have the ball back.

UCLA 0, Arizona 0
11:33 – 1st quarter

: FS1
: https://t.co/jrTMSerf7Z#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/W8BLAZgRNh

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) November 5, 2023

Because no matter how stout your defense is, if your team is able to muster only 28.6 points and 240.9 passing yards (62nd and 56th, nationally) per game while also giving the ball away 17 times (11th in the Pac-12 and 111th in the nation), you’re going to be losing games.

And no matter how prolific your offense is, if your defense is hemorrhaging points to the tune of 34.5 points per game (121st in FBS), including allowing more than 40 points in five of the past six contests – you’re going to be losing games.

That’s why USC coach Lincoln Riley finally made the call this week to fire his friend, former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, excusing him after the Trojans relinquished 52 points and 572 yards against Washington – the most, in both cases, since the Trojans lost 62-33 to UCLA in 2021.

Is it any wonder major USC donors were fed up with their defense’s performance? Sources with knowledge of the situation told our reporter Luca Evans: “There was no way that Grinch was going to survive this season.”

Any surprise that UCLA fans also are starting to get agitated? Expectations weren’t as sky high as the Trojans’ were this year, but still Bruin believers are rustling around in their sheds and garages for pitchforks, starting to circle up, united by their dissatisfaction with Coach Chip Kelly – who is 33-32 in six seasons but recently signed an extension through 2027.

“Our execution on the offensive side of the ball has to improve,” Kelly said last Saturday, speaking specifically about his banged-up offense having squandered multiple red zone opportunities against Arizona – while also making a broader point about point-scoring.

Said Riley on Monday: “We’re gonna play great defense here. Like, period. It’s gonna happen. It’s gonna happen soon. There’s no reason why it can’t.”

You can imagine both coaches pondering: If the guys across the way – on the opposite side of town, if not the other side of the ball – can do it, why can’t we?

Here’s what you need to know about the nonconference matchup:

UCLA VS. LAFAYETTE

When: Friday, 8 p.m.

Where: Pauley Pavilion

TV/Radio: Pac-12 Network/1150 AM

Records: UCLA 1-0, Lafayette 0-1

UCLA’s latest result: UCLA won its season opener against Saint Francis (Pa.), 75-44, on Monday at Pauley Pavilion. Sophomore forward/center Adem Bona emerged with a career-high 28 points, nine rebounds, four blocked shots, two assists and one steal in the blowout victory. Junior guard Lazar Stefanovic, who transferred from Utah, had 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. Senior forward/center Kenneth Nwuba added 10 points. The Bruins took a 10-point lead at halftime and outscored St. Francis 43-22 in the second half. It was also a milestone victory for UCLA coach Mick Cronin, who earned win No. 100 to kick off his fifth season in Westwood.

UCLA men’s basketball head coach Mick Cronin on winning his 100th career game in Westwood. pic.twitter.com/YxTvHnSipx

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 7, 2023

Despite the team’s 31-point win, Cronin was not satisfied with his team’s overall performance.

“Very sloppy game for us,” Cronin said. “Disappointed in a lot of things that went on (Monday night) so I have a saying that if we’re going to die, we’re going to die my way. Danny Glover, Lethal Weapon.

“Which is with guys who don’t take bad shots because they’re hunting points and guys that pass the ball. That’s got me upset. Other than that, I need to play Brandon Williams more because he understands the most important thing on offense on this team. Anybody want to guess what it is? Pass the ball to Adem Bona. If you want to play, it’s real simple. Play defense, solid rebounding. And on offense, when Adem Bona is open in the low post, pass him the ball. You’ll probably be in. I’m sure there’s a lot of guys in the history of basketball that are smart enough to figure it out by now. Guys that played with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It’s pretty simple.”

Lafayette’s latest result: Lafayette lost its season opener to Saint Joseph’s, 81-60, on Monday. The Leopards were led by junior guard Devin Hines, who had 15 points and five rebounds, the only Lafayette player in double figures.

Matchup to watch: Bona, who is 6-foot-10 and 245 pounds vs. 7-foot junior center Justin Vander Baan, who is 240 pounds. Vander Baan had only six points and three rebounds in Lafayette’s season opener but he did have four blocks. Bona dominated against St. Francis’ roster, whose tallest player was 6-9, in his first game since suffering a left shoulder injury in March that kept him out of international scrimmages and the team’s exhibition on Oct. 31.

Kenneth Nwuba, Adem Bona and Lazar Stefanovic on UCLA basketball’s 75-44 win in their season opener against Saint Francis. pic.twitter.com/HNMDbjscEX

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 7, 2023

UCLA trends to watch: The Bruins were not ranked in the preseason AP poll but are currently ranked No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. UCLA has eight newcomers this year, including seven freshmen, highlighted by 7-3 center Aday Mara from Spain, 6-10 forward Devin Williams for Corona Centennial High and 6-9 forward Berke Buyuktuncel from Turkey, who has not been cleared yet by the NCAA.

Also, UCLA signed Corona Centennial guard Eric Freeny to a national letter of intent on Wednesday. The 6-4 guard is ranked as one of the nation’s top 100 players by 247Sports. Freeny and Williams were teammates the past two seasons at Centennial.

𝙒𝙀𝙇𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙀 𝙏𝙊 𝙒𝙀𝙎𝙏𝙒𝙊𝙊𝘿, 𝙀𝙍𝙄𝘾

Eric Freeny, from nearby Corona, Calif., has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) with the Bruins and will join our program in 2024-25.

: https://t.co/37XQRos8UH pic.twitter.com/BhC3os7Pc6

— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) November 8, 2023

The Bruins (6-3 overall, 3-3 Pac-12) are bowl-eligible for the third time in six years under head coach Chip Kelly, but the team is coming off a loss to coach Jedd Fisch and Arizona for a second consecutive season.

Fisch briefly spent time as the Bruins’ interim head coach in 2017, being promoted from offensive coordinator after Jim Mora was fired and before Kelly was hired.

Kelly has since accumulated an overall record of 33-32 and a Pac-12 Conference record of 25-24 with the Bruins. He will have an opportunity to match his best conference record with the program at 6-3, which was achieved in each of the past two seasons.

The Bruins are currently 3-3 in Pac-12 play, with games against Arizona State, crosstown rival USC and Cal remaining.

Kelly has improved the overall record with each season at UCLA, aside from the shortened pandemic season in 2020, but holds a 5-25 record in games against opponents (from 2018 to 2022) that later finished the season with winning records.

Some fans have already become disheartened and expressed their concern for the direction of the program following losses to Oregon State, Arizona and Utah this season, hoping that a change to the Big Ten Conference would also include a new head coach.

“I think anytime you lose, everybody just gets frustrated,” Kelly said. “That’s just part of the process that you have to go through when you lose a game.

“I think you have to stick together as a team. We win as a team and lose as a team, so that’s just part of the nature when you lose.”

Kelly agreed to a two-year contract extension in March that will keep him at in Westwood through 2027.

If Kelly is fired before December 2023, he will receive an $8.5 million buyout. The amount falls to $4.27 million if he is dismissed before December 2024.

This season, the defense took a significant step forward and became one of the stingiest in the country, allowing 294.3 yards per game. The unit is led by a group of transfers that returned to play another season together under first-year defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.

Kelly has built a reputation as being an effective offensive-minded coach, which was on full display last year as the Bruins had one of the top-producing offenses in the country, but hasn’t been able to maintain that level following the loss of impact players to the NFL draft and graduation.

UCLA’s staff was intentional about replenishing the offense through the transfer portal, welcoming players such as quarterback Collin Schlee (Kent State), receiver J.Michael Sturdivant (Cal) and running back Carson Steele (Ball State) among others.

After another unproductive showing from the offense in the recent loss to the Wildcats, the Bruins were knocked out of the College Football Playoff Rankings on Tuesday evening. UCLA was ranked No. 19 in the initial rankings Oct. 31.

The team is seventh in the conference standings and all but eliminated from the Pac-12 championship race.

A level of tension within the team has also surfaced, with linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo – another notable transfer – among the players speaking out about the need to stay “unified as a group” to finish out the season.

Defensive lineman Jake Heimlicher and center Duke Clemens also spoke about the need to hold each other accountable.

“We always rely on our team leaders and our position coaches,” Kelly said. “We rely on everybody in the program so we always talk about it. You have to rally when you lose a game and I think that’s a big thing that everyone has to focus and concentrate on.”

The execution was not up to the standard set by the defense this season, and the ineffectiveness on the field had apparently flooded onto the Bruins’ sideline as well.

“There’s stuff going on the sideline, that stuff can’t happen,” defensive lineman Jake Heimlicher said Tuesday during media availability.

“Football is a very physical sport where emotions can run high,” he continued. “At the end of the day, there’s a bunch of alpha males on one team. There’s gonna be butting heads no matter where you are, whatever team you’re on.”

This week has been dedicated to re-unifying the defense mentally and recovering from a lackluster performance physically ahead of Saturday’s 6 p.m. game against Arizona State at the Rose Bowl.

In the 27-10 loss to Arizona, the Bruins’ defense gave up 129 yards on the ground to Arizona – the second-most rushing yards it has allowed in a Pac-12 game this season behind the 133 allowed against Oregon State.

Arizona also scored five out of five times in the red zone and converted on third down 11 out of 16 times in the game.

“I think it was part of our lack of finishing,” Oladejo said. “We didn’t finish well. They were 11 of 16. That’s not like us. So I think it’s a lack of finishing and making the plays we need to make.”

Defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn showed a portion of a film involving Ray Lewis to the entire defense during a meeting after that game. Lynn was the safeties coach for the Baltimore Ravens prior to joining UCLA and his choice of video inspired the Bruins.

“We can’t control the fans, we can’t control the game,” Bruins defensive back Will Nimmo said of the message taken from the video. “Make sure we execute and get stops and just be a hard-hitting unit communicating and just really being alphas on the field. That’s something that was emphasized. We are that unit to win games.”

Heimlicher said vocal leaders like linebacker Darius Muasau, edge rusher Laiatu Latu and Oladejo have been helping stabilize the defense so far this week. Oladejo said Monday that he’s made an effort to lift his teammates and has been engaging in positive self-talk.

“I would say he’s the most positive guy on the team,” Heimlicher said of Oladejo. “He’s always wanting to have conversations, deep conversations.”

MOORE, GARBERS RETURN

UCLA quarterbacks Dante Moore and Ethan Garbers were seen participating in practice Tuesday morning during the media viewing period, one day after they were absent Monday.

Today's view of the UCLA quarterbacks. Dante Moore and Ethan Garbers are out there, but Garbers doesn't look too nimble. pic.twitter.com/iTTCtojG86

— Haley Sawyer (@haleymsawyer) November 7, 2023

Moore appeared to be making throws without physical limitations, but Garbers was walking gingerly and did not seem to be very mobile.

The redshirt junior left Saturday’s game against Arizona in the fourth quarter and could not put weight on his left foot. Moore replaced him, but the true freshman endured a hit that forced him from the game with 6:04 left.

Coach Chip Kelly has previously said that he and the coaching staff make the decision as to who starts at quarterback on Fridays.

UCLA-USC GAME TIME

The Pac-12 released its Week 12 schedule Monday morning, but the game time for UCLA at USC has yet to be announced.

“Our game time vs. USC on November 18 will be announced no later than Sunday, Nov. 12,” the UCLA football account said in a post on X on Monday.

Other Pac-12 games that weekend include Colorado at Washington State on Friday at 7:30 p.m. (FS1) and Saturday games with Cal at Stanford at 3:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) and Washington at Oregon State at 4:30 p.m. (ABC).

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  UCLA forward Devin Williams, left, shoots as St. Francis (Pa.) forward Gestin Liberis defends during the first half of their season opener on Monday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA guard Dylan Andrews, right, shoots against St. Francis forward Aidan Harris during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA head coach Mike Cronin gestures during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. Francis, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA guard Sebastian Mack (12) shoots against St. Francis forward Aidan Harris (32) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA forward Adem Bona (3) shoots as St. Francis forward Eli Wilborn (5) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA center Aday Mara dunks the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. Francis, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA guard Brandon Williams, right, shoots as St. Francis forward Gestin Liberis defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  St. Francis guard Wisler Sanon II, left, defends as UCLA forward Kenneth Nwuba drives the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA forward Adem Bona reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. Francis, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA guard Jan Vide, right, drives as St. Francis guard Aaron Talbert (2) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA guard Lazar Stefanovic drives the ball up court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. Francis, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA forward Adem Bona, left, looks to pass as St. Francis forward Gestin Liberis defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA forward Kenneth Nwuba passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. Francis, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA forward Adem Bona celebrates after dunking during the first half of their season opener against St. Francis (Pa.) on Monday night at Pauley Pavilion. Bona had a career-high 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 75-44 win. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  St. Francis head coach Rob Krimmel reacts from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA guard Dylan Andrews shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. Francis, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA forward Kenneth Nwuba reacts after dunking the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. Francis, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

LOS ANGELES — UCLA’s 6-foot-10 duo of sophomore forward Adem Bona and redshirt senior center Kenneth Nwuba combined for 38 points, 10 rebounds, five blocked shots and five first-half dunks to lead the Bruins to a convincing 75-44 victory over St. Francis (Pennsylvania) in the season opener for both teams on Monday night at Pauley Pavilion.

Bona, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year last season, scored 22 of his career-high 28 points in the second half as the Bruins turned a 10-point lead into a blowout. Bona scored eight of the Bruins’ first 12 points in the second half as they stretched their lead to 44-27. He added nine rebounds and a career-high four blocks.

“It feels amazing to be able to share the court with my teammates,” Bona said when asked about playing in his first game since a left shoulder injury cut short his freshman season last March. “To have the coaches on the side, to be able to put on a jersey again, it’s an amazing feeling playing in Pauley, the fans, everyone, just an amazing feel in general.”

UCLA coach Mick Cronin sees a high ceiling for Bona and is prepared to push him toward his potential.

“I still think he can get better and it’s my job to continue to get him (there) … your strength is your weakness right,” Cronin said, before referencing a recent Bruins standout. “His strength is he’s a tremendous athlete and as good a competitor that I’ve ever coached.

“The difference is he’s just a better athlete than Jaime (Jaquez Jr.). Jaime is the same competitor but Adem is a world-class athlete.”

Junior guard Lazar Stefanovic (a Utah transfer) added 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists for the Bruins.

“Right now, (Stefanovic) is our best shooter,” Cronin said. “He’s our best reader of screens. He talks the most, he’s our smartest player. He had eight rebounds and he turns it over about once a week, if that.”

Nwuba had 10 points. Aday Mara, a heralded 7-3 freshman center from Spain, had two points, one block and three fouls in five minutes in his college debut.

The Bruins shot 55% from the field overall (29 for 57) and scored 48 points in the paint.

The victory was a milestone for Cronin, who won his 100th career game at UCLA to begin his fifth season in Westwood.

“It means I’m still going,” Cronin said postgame with a chuckle. “But look, if you’re coaching here, you can forget individual accolades.

“You’ll never ever ever accomplish what Coach Wooden did.”

UCLA men’s basketball head coach Mick Cronin on winning his 100th career game in Westwood. pic.twitter.com/YxTvHnSipx

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 7, 2023

The program has also won 26 consecutive home games, the longest active home winning streak in the nation.

Cronin’s starting five was sophomore guard Dylan Andrews, freshman guard Sebastian Mack, Stefanovic, Bona and Nwuba, the only player left from the UCLA squad that reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament in 2021.

Bona and Nwuba had two dunks apiece to stake the Bruins to an 8-2 lead, but St. Francis kept it interesting after that, tying the score at 17-all with 7:26 left in the first. The Bruins seized momentum with a 15-5 run to close the half and led 32-22 at halftime. Nwuba had eight points – on 3-for-3 shooting – in the first half.

“Big to big connection,” Nwuba said. “That’s what it is.

“(Adem’s) playing with intensity and very emotional, very intense too, so when I see him playing with me I’m like oh my gosh, I love this. The big-to-big connection, that’s what I love.”

UCLA, which held St. Francis to 33% shooting, was 31-6 last season and won the Pac-12 regular-season title with an 18-2 record, but Bona is among a handful of players who will be counted on as the program experiences its biggest roster overhaul under Cronin. Bona, Andrews, Nwuba and redshirt sophomore Will McClendon are the only returning players who were part of last season’s rotation.

Freshman Berke Buyuktuncel, a 6-9 forward from Turkey, did not play because he has not been cleared yet by the NCAA. Mara was cleared late last week.

The Red Flash, who had 21 turnovers, were led by sophomore forward Gestin Liberis with 12 points.

UP NEXT

UCLA (1-0) will return to action when it hosts Lafayette (0-1) on Friday at Pauley Pavilion.

“I think it’s going to be scary playing with two bigs,” Bona said. “I think we’re going to do a lot of things together on the floor with two bigs on the floor.

“From a guard standpoint, it helps us a lot,” Stefanovic said. “It makes us be open more because everybody shrinks inside.

“If you don’t shrink, that’s what happens, dunk after dunk after dunk.”

Kenneth Nwuba, Adem Bona and Lazar Stefanovic on UCLA basketball’s 75-44 win in their season opener against Saint Francis. pic.twitter.com/HNMDbjscEX

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 7, 2023

https:/Twitter.com/Pac12Network/status/1721788415317004497?s=20

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  UCLA forward Emily Bessoir, right, shoots as Purdue forward Mary Ashley Stevenson defends during the second half of their season opener on Monday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  Purdue guard Jeanae Terry, left, drives against UCLA forward Emily Bessoir during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA guard Camryn Brown reacts during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game against Purdue, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  Purdue forward Mary Ashley Stevenson, right, shoots against UCLA forward Angela Dugalic during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA forward Emily Bessoir, left, and Purdue guard Abbey Ellis vie for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA guard Londynn Jones, right, drives against Purdue guard Rashunda Jones during the first half of their season opener on Monday night at Pauley Pavilion. Jones had 20 points as the fourth-ranked Bruins rolled to a 92-49 win. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  Purdue head coach Katie Gearlds reacts during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game against UCLA, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  Purdue guard Madison Layden, right, drives against UCLA center Lauren Betts, left, and forward Angela Dugalic during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  Purdue guard Jeanae Terry, left, drives against UCLA guard Charisma Osborne during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  Purdue forward Mila Reynolds reacts from the bench during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game against UCLA, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA guard Kiki Rice shoots during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game against Purdue, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  Purdue head coach Katie Gearlds reacts during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game against UCLA, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA forward Amanda Muse, center, Purdue guard Jeanae Terry, left, and guard McKenna Layden vie for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA guard Charisma Osborne, left defends as Purdue forward Caitlyn Harper, middle passes to guard Jeanae Terry during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA forward Emily Bessoir, right, drives as Purdue guard McKenna Layden defends during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA guard Kiki Rice, left, and Purdue forward Mary Ashley Stevenson vie for the ball during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez, left, shoots over Purdue forward Alaina Harper during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA head coach Cori Close reacts during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game against Purdue, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  Purdue forward Caitlyn Harper, right, passes as UCLA guard Charisma Osborne defends during the second half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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  UCLA guard Londynn Jones (3) reacts after scoring a 3-pointer during an NCAA basketball game against Purdue on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES — Lauren Betts wasn’t sure where she should sit at the post-game news conference. The rest of the night the Stanford transfer appeared right at home with her new team.

Betts scored a career-high 20 points in her UCLA debut, Londynn Jones added 20 points and the fourth-ranked Bruins routed Purdue 92-49 Monday night in a matchup of future Big Ten opponents.

“A little bit of nerves but honestly with the confidence of my coaches and my teammates that they have in me, it just makes me go out and do amazing things,” Betts said. “I had a lot of fun. This was such a great first game for me.”

The Bruins never trailed as they opened the 50th year of women’s basketball in Westwood against the alma mater of John Wooden, who guided the UCLA men’s program to 10 of its record 11 national championships.

UCLA is leaving the Pac-12 next season to join the Midwest-based Big Ten, which suffered another defeat Monday when No. 21 USC beat No. 7 Ohio State, 83-74, behind freshman JuJu Watkins.

“We’re not in the Big Ten yet but we’re ready to take them down,” Bruins coach Cori Close said. “I’m cherishing the moments this last Pac-12 year.”

UCLA star Charisma Osborne was scoreless in the first half and finished with 11 points after hitting three 3-pointers in the second half. But the Bruins got plenty of scoring from their other four starters.

“Charisma didn’t get going in the first half, but we had to make sure she got going in the second,” Jones said. “It doesn’t really matter who scores or who gets the credit as long as we’re working together.”

Betts, at 6-foot-7 the tallest player on the floor, transferred from Stanford, where she helped the Cardinal win the Pac-12 regular-season title last season. She shot 9 of 11 from the floor, had seven rebounds and two blocked shots.

“I bring a lot of inside presence. It really helps our shooters get open,” Betts said. “If I just rim run every time and get myself in good position, I think it gives other people great opportunities to score.”

Angela Dugalic added 13 points for the Bruins in her return after missing all of last season because of a knee injury. Kiki Rice had 10 points and 10 assists.

The Boilermakers were led by Caitlyn Harper and Abbey Ellis with 10 points each.

The rout was on early, with UCLA outscoring the Boilermakers 24-8 in the first quarter.

The Bruins used identical 9-0 runs at the end of the first and second quarters to lead 42-24 at halftime. UCLA’s perimeter defense forced the Boilermakers to shoot 4 for 21 from 3-point range.

UCLA had 29 assists on its 35 field goals and made 13 3-pointers.

BIG PICTURE

UCLA: The Bruins showed they have depth if Osborne isn’t dominating on the offensive end. Betts’ height will help them in the low post, whether she’s scoring, rebounding or altering opponents’ shots.

Purdue: The Boilermakers will find out pretty quickly how they stack up by playing four Power 5 teams in their first five games as well as visiting No. 10 Notre Dame in December. They’re looking to make back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances after going 19-11 last season.

UP NEXT

UCLA hosts UC Riverside on Thursday in the second of four straight home games to start the season.

Quarterback Ethan Garbers was not seen during the media viewing period at Monday’s practice, according to reports.

Garbers made his third consecutive start and played through the first three quarters in UCLA’s loss to Arizona on Saturday. Garbers was injured with 14:17 left in the fourth quarter after he was sacked by defensive lineman Russell Davis II for a 7-yard loss. He was unable to put weight on his left foot following the play.

Quarterback Dante Moore was spotted at practice by reporters without his helmet on, unlike his teammates.

“Dante is handled by the trainers,” Coach Chip Kelly said when asked if Moore was in concussion protocol. “Everybody is handled through our trainers.”

Collin Schlee and Chase Griffin would be among the backup quarterbacks available on Saturday (6 p.m., Pac-12 Network) if Moore or Garbers couldn’t play for the Bruins (6-3 overall, 3-3 Pac-12) against the Sun Devils (2-7, 1-5).

Center Duke Clemens said there was some self-reflecting that happened after the game on Saturday.

“It’s definitely hard, especially being an offensive lineman,” Clemens said. “You kind of put that on yourself. You wish you could keep these guys up and things like that but I guess that’s the nature of the game.”

Clemens believes there’s an opportunity for “at least one guy” to return later this week but has expressed full trust in whichever quarterback leads the offense this week.

“I trust anybody in the back behind me,” Clemens said. “I just hope that they can trust us. We got to do better up front.”

CHANGE UP

Montana State transfer Blake Glessner took on extra responsibility this week, aside from handling kickoffs for the Bruins.

Glessner handled field goal duties for the Arizona game in place of R.J. Lopez, who served as the primary option for all field goal attempts through the first eight games of the season.

Glessner went 1 for 3 against the Wildcats, making a 29-yard field goal in the third quarter but missing a 42-yard attempt in the first quarter and a 42-yard attempt in the second quarter. The 42-yard attempt was blocked by Arizona’s Ephesians Prysock.

“We had a breakdown inside with protection,” Kelly said. “A guy got turned the way he shouldn’t have got turned and shortened the edge and gave the kid an opportunity to come off the edge. We’ll get that corrected this week in practice.”

Glessner also made an extra point field goal following UCLA’s touchdown in the final seconds before halftime.

Kelly “decided to make the switch” to Glessner after he beat out Lopez for the job following “a little competition during the week.”

Lopez went 6 for 11 on field goal attempts with two of them being blocked this season.

He was 1 for 2 on field goals from 20-29 yards away and 1 for 4 from a range of 40-49. He was 4 for 5 from a range of 30 to 39.

Lopez was also 32 of 33 on PATs this season.

RECEIVING OPTIONS

Wide receiver Kyle Ford is expected to be available this week to prepare for the game on Saturday.

Kelly confirmed that Ford was unavailable for the game against Arizona in Tuscon over the weekend but didn’t give further specifics.

Receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala remains “unavailable,” according to Kelly. Mokiao-Atimalala has not played in a game this season for UCLA.

The Central Florida transfer finished the 2022 season with 17 receptions for 290 yards and a touchdown in 13 games played.

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  UCLA quarterback Collin Schlee (9) throws a pass over Arizona linebacker Taylor Upshaw (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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  UCLA quarterback Dante Moore (3) runs away from Arizona defensive lineman Nick Fernandez during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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  UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers looks for a receiver during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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  UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) lies on the field after an injury during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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  Arizona linebacker Jacob Manu (5) sacks UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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  UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) runs away from Arizona defensive linemen Russell Davis II (99) and Bill Norton during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UCLA coach Chip Kelly enters the week sorting out his starting quarterback situation again following the 27-10 loss to Arizona in Tucson on Saturday.

Redshirt junior Ethan Garbers and true freshman Dante Moore suffered injuries that kept the quarterbacks out for the final minutes of the game against the Wildcats.

“I don’t know anything,” Kelly told the media after the game. “They just told us they were unavailable and couldn’t go. I don’t know what the extent of it is.”

The media will have its first opportunity to view the status of each quarterback during Monday’s practice, after Kelly’s twice-weekly press conference with reporters.

Garbers made his third consecutive start and played through the early part of the fourth quarter when he was sacked for a 7-yard loss and was unable to put weight on his left foot coming off the field. He spent time in the medical tent and did not return.

He completed 13 of 21 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown before Moore came in for relief.

“We talked about a lot of things,” Kelly said following Garbers’ injury. “We knew what we had to do to get back in the game there a little bit, so went with Dante and then we had Collin (Schlee) available.”

Moore, the true freshman, came in for the following series but did not return after suffering a hit and returning to the locker room with 6:04 left in the game.

“Unfortunately, injuries are never a good thing for football or anything but especially for two dudes who’ve got to lead your offense,” running back Carson Steele said. “It’s really hard and it’s a blow for us. Hoping for recovery with whatever they had, hopefully, nothing too serious.”

Redshirt junior Collin Schlee also saw some time at quarterback throughout the game as a change-of-pace option. With Garbers and Moore unavailable for the remainder of the fourth quarter, Schlee was asked to finish out the game.

Schlee, who transferred from Kent State, has played in five games this season but hasn’t started a game for the Bruins. He had suffered an upper-body injury against Oregon State on Oct. 14 that prevented him from making the trip to Stanford. He would return for the home game against Colorado on Oct. 28.

Moore completed 4 of 7 passes for 14 yards. Schlee was 0 for 5 as a passer but managed to finish the game as the leading rusher with 46 yards on six carries.

If Moore and Garbers are unavailable for the Arizona State game, the Bruins will have to rely on redshirt freshman Justyn Martin and senior Chase Griffin as the primary backups behind Schlee.

LATU WATCH

UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu recorded 1.5 sacks on Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita.

Latu is now four sacks away from the goal of 15 he set for himself before the start of the season. He has 21.5 sacks as a Bruin and is currently eighth on UCLA’s career sacks list.

Former Bruins Anthony Barr (2010-13) and Jamir Miller (1991-93) are ahead of Latu with 23.5 sacks.

IN THE POLLS

UCLA (6-3 overall, 3-3 Pac-12) has fallen out of the AP Top 25, following the loss to the Wildcats. The Bruins entered the game ranked No. 20.

The Bruins were also ranked at No. 19 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The next ranking is announced Tuesday evening.

INJURY REPORT

Wide receiver Kyle Ford made the trip to Arizona but was an unexpected scratch for the game. His status remains unknown.

The veteran receiver had played in the first eight games this season. He has 13 catches for 152 yards this season.

It’s unclear what his status is moving forward but he did speak with the reporters on Oct. 31, which is usually an indication that someone is healthy and expected to play that week.

Starting safety Kamari Ramsey recorded a tackle during the first quarter on Saturday but would miss a majority of the game due to an undisclosed injury.

Will Nimmo Jr. saw significant time as Ramsey’s replacement.

“We have a chance,” Cronin said. “We have some guys with some real talent. We just have to get them experience.”

For the first time in Cronin’s career in Westwood, he will not be coaching program stalwarts like Tyger Campbell, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and David Singleton.

“So it’s time to turn the page, but we’ve got talent,” said Cronin, who is entering his fifth and final season in the Pac-12 before moving to the Big Ten Conference for the 2024-25 season. “We’ve got depth, we’re just young. I know we’re an unknown to a lot of people so it’s going to be interesting.”

Adem Bona, a 6-foot-10 245-pound forward/center, shot 67.5% from the field and averaged 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game last season. For that instant impact, he was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and received a Pac-12 All-Defensive team selection.

“This year we don’t have those guys (Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jaquez Jr.) so I think my role is going to be big time this year on the team,” said Bona, who was named to the Karl Malone Award preseason watch list, as one of college basketball’s top 20 power forwards. “I have guys like Lazar (Stefanovic) on the team to support me, young guys like (Aday) Mara, Berke (Buyuktuncel), so it’s going to be a huge step up for me offensively and I think I’m ready to take the step.”

Stefanovic, a 6-foot-7 guard who transferred from Utah, shot 35.9% from beyond the arc last season. He averaged 10.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He will be relied upon for defensive and offensive leadership, as one of the most experienced players because seven of the team’s 15 players are incoming freshmen, including four international recruits from France, Turkey, Spain, and Slovenia.

“When you have so many freshmen, it’s so nice to have somebody that’s always in the right spot and is extremely smart and is really well coached and can help the young guys,” Cronin said when asked about Stefanovic.

Cronin explained there’s a glaring difference between this year’s team and last year’s 31-6 overall team, which won the Pac-12 regular season title last season for the first time since 2013, before advancing to the Sweet 16.

“It’s a lot more teaching,” Cronin said, before sharing that he’s going to simplify his team’s defensive gameplan for his newcomers. “Team bonding. We went to Spain this summer as a group. We’ve got to get these guys to realize that I know this sounds weird, but they’re a team and they’re going to decide whether we win or lose.”

Sophomore Dylan Andrews will likely be tasked with an expanded role this season. The 6-foot-2 point guard from Gardena averaged 3.3 points in 10.8 minutes per game as a freshman.

“I can’t ask Dylan to be Tyger,” Cronin said. “I think Dylan has different strengths. I think I have to make sure I’m allowing him to be really good at what he’s good at, pressuring the ball, using his speed and quickness, and being able to create his own shot. He’s better off the dribble than Tyger.

“Obviously, very few guys run a team as well as Tyger can and that’s why coaches loved him so much as you know, so there are things (Dylan’s) got to get better at as far as running a team, but again, I think I have to make sure that I try to let him flourish at what he’s good at.”

Cronin said in addition to Andrews, sophomore Will McClendon and freshmen Sebastian Mack and Jan Vide could all see ball-handling duties in the UCLA backcourt.

Bona, who spent the summer rehabbing a left shoulder injury he suffered in the Pac-12 tournament in March, was UCLA’s only preseason first-team All-Pac-12 selection. He said he’s looking forward to playing in a two-big lineup alongside Aday Mara, a 7-foot-3 240-pound center from Spain who received a preseason all-conference honorable mention selection.

“If you would have watched us in practice, you would have seen how excited I am,” Bona said.

However, freshman forward Berke Buyuktuncel has not yet been cleared to play by the NCAA and did not play in UCLA’s 97-56 exhibition win against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Oct. 31.

Meanwhile, UCLA announced Mara was cleared on Friday and he is expected to play in the team’s season opener.

“UCLA Athletics, Aday Mara and his family would like to thank the NCAA, his attorney Stu Brown and UCLA Senior Associate Athletic Director Erin Adkins for their work and cooperation during this process,” Cronin said via a press release.

The Bruins will tip off their regular season against Saint Francis University (Pennsylvania) at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, Nov. 6. The game is a part of a UCLA basketball doubleheader. The UCLA women’s basketball team will host Purdue before the men’s basketball game.

SAINT FRANCIS (PA) AT UCLA

When: Monday, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Pauley Pavilion

TV: PAC-12 NETWORKS

UCLA Bruins notes and notable quotes

UCLA will face at least two future Big Ten opponents this season vs. Ohio State in Atlanta on Dec. 16 and at home against Maryland on Dec. 22.

The Bruins were selected third in the annual Pac-12 men’s basketball preseason media poll, behind No. 1 Arizona and No. 2 USC. The Bruins received four of 26 first-place votes. The preseason poll ranked Oregon fourth, followed by Colorado (fifth), Arizona State (sixth), Utah (seventh), Stanford (eighth), Washington (ninth), Washington State (10th), California (11th) and Oregon State (12th).

Bona on playing with 7-foot-3 freshman center Aday Mara: “We’ve done a lot of walkthroughs together. We’ve watched a lot of film together. Coach (Darren) Savino is our big coach. He’s taken us through so many scenarios where we’re going to be on the court at the same time. I think Aday is a great guy. He can do so much on the basketball court and I think me and him on the floor at the same time is going to be amazing to see and I can’t wait to go out there on the floor at the same time.”

Stefanovic on Mara’s potential: “I agree that Aday is going to help us win a lot of games this year, can help us win a lot of games. I can’t wait to see the two of them (Bona and Mara) matched up at practice but more so I can’t wait to see them together on the court, how they play together.”

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  Arizona wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig (5) scores a touchdown against UCLA defensive back Jaylin Davies (24) and defensive lineman Laiatu Latu during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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  Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (11) avoids UCLA defensive back John Humphrey during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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  UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) runs away from Arizona defensive linemen Russell Davis II (99) and Bill Norton during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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  UCLA running back Carson Steele (33) tries to get past Arizona defensive lineman Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei (46) and cornerback Treydan Stukes during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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  UCLA quarterback Collin Schlee (9) throws a pass over Arizona linebacker Taylor Upshaw (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

TUCSON, Ariz. — No. 19 UCLA left Tucson battered and bruised with a 27-10 loss Saturday night to upstart Arizona.

UCLA (6-3 overall, 3-3 Pac-12) lost safety Kamari Ramsey, quarterbacks Ethan Garbers and Dante Moore and defensive end Gabriel Murphy to injuries during the course of the game.

Garbers couldn’t put weight on his left foot after the game.

UCLA coach Chip Kelly said he does not know of the status of the players.

When asked what he told the team after the demoralizing loss, Kelly said, “There’s a process, a schedule for tomorrow to watch the film. We’ll dissect this and go through this. … It stings and it hurts because of how much they put into this.”

Arizona has defeated three Associated Press Top 25 teams in consecutive games for the first time in program history. The Wildcats previously beat No. 19 Washington State and No. 11 Oregon State. The Bruins entered the game ranked No. 20 in the AP poll and No. 19 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings for the 2023 season.

Jedd Fisch, the former UCLA assistant and interim coach, has led Arizona into bowl eligibility for the first time since 2017.

“Six wins is a big deal and for us to get there nine games into the season, I’m really excited about that,” said Fisch, who was 1-11 in his first year in 2021 and 5-7 last year.

The Wildcats’ offense was efficient against UCLA’s defense, which entered the game rated No. 10 allowing 277.5 yards per game.

UCLA allowed Arizona 429 yards in total offense. The Wildcats were 11 of 16 in third-down conversion attempts.

The Servite High School connection of Noah Fifita to Tetaiora McMillan including four completions for 81 yards and a touchdown for Arizona.

“We have a good defense; they did a really nice job,” Kelly said. “There was a lot of times we got them into (third and) longs. Fifita made one scramble that was a big one on third down. You have to give T-Mac (McMillan) credit.

“We knew coming in, we felt he was one of the top receivers, if not one of the top receivers in the country. The catches he made today, we had people on him and he still makes the catch.”

The Bruins blew a scoring opportunity and an early chance at momentum after Alex Johnson made his fourth interception of the season in the first quarter.

Johnson took the pass from Fifita to the Arizona 39 following a 37-yard return with 11:33 remaining in the quarter.

A holding call by tackle Bruno Fina, a Tucson native, negated an 11-yard run by Garbers to the Arizona 4.

The Bruins were pushed back to the 25-yard line instead.

Kelly eventually was forced to call on new placekicker Blake Glessner to put the Bruins on the board. Glessner won a competition in practice during the week to get the nod.

Glessner’s 42-yard attempt sailed wide left, however.

RJ Lopez’s struggles (6 of 11 with his field goal attempts this season) forced the change at placekicker.

Glessner’s next attempt from 41 yards in the second quarter was blocked by Ephesians Prysock. Three of the Bruins’ attempts have been blocked throughout the last five games.

UCLA had at that point five consecutive missed field goal attempts over a three-game stretch.

“We’re trading threes for sevens and you can’t trade threes for sevens against a good offensive team like they have,” Kelly said. “We’ve got to do a better in the red zone. We should be scoring touchdowns instead of trying field goals.”

Glessner’s 29-yard field goal with 2:28 left in the third quarter, that cut Arizona’s lead to 17-10, snapped the streak of five straight missed attempts.

The field goal occurred when UCLA’s drive stalled at the 11 after it appeared that Garbers had a pass intercepted at the 1-yard line by Prysock, a Bishop Alemany product.

The rule was reversed when replays showed Garbers’ left knee on the ground when he passed the ball.

A replay benefitted Arizona on its next possession.

McMillan was first ruled out of bounds when he caught an 11-yard pass from Fifita on the left side of the end zone. The replay review deemed the catch a touchdown because McMillan controlled the ball while having one foot in the end zone.

Arizona led 24-10 with 14:37 remaining.

“Tonight, they just made more plays than us,” said Johnson, whose four interceptions this season are the most for UCLA since Randall Goforth had four in 2016. “They have great receivers and (Fifita) made good decisions down the stretch. That’s a great team.

“All we can do right now is look at the film, make the corrections and come back stronger for the next game (at home against Arizona State).”

A blocked punt by Kain Medrano gave UCLA life temporarily with 11:27 left. The Bruins gained possession at the Arizona 31.

Moore was in the game after Garbers could not return from his foot injury suffered on a sack early in the fourth quarter.

UCLA eventually turned the ball over on downs at Arizona 23 with 7:52 left.

Loop’s 22-yard field goal with 4:40 left completed the scoring.