‘Biggest Win In Years,’ ‘Build the Bob Chesney Statue’ — UCLA Fans Rally Behind Bob Chesney as Bruins Beat Oregon

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UCLA played the second half without its starting quarterback and still left Autzen Stadium unbeaten. The No. 21 Bruins beat No. 13 Oregon 17-15 on Saturday, forcing seven turnovers to improve to 5-0 under first-year coach Bob Chesney.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava was hurt late in the first half, and backup Ty Dieffenbach finished the game for a team that came in as a double-digit underdog.

UCLA Defense Forces Seven Turnovers to Beat Oregon

“How about those Bruins!?” The UCLA Football X account’s final score post summed up an historic win better than anyone ever could. It also acted as an online catalyst for Bruins fans to celebrate with their team.

Oregon lost five fumbles, threw two interceptions, and went 1-of-12 on third down, and UCLA held the ball nearly twice as long as the Ducks. Ta’Shawn James and Tao Johnson made the interceptions, and Jalen Woods had nine tackles and a fumble recovery.

“Sloppy offensive game but D made Duck Tar tar,” one fan replied, adding that there would be no playoff berth for Oregon.

Oregon had plenty riding on the game. As of Oct. 10, before the result, Pro Football Network’s College Football Playoff Meter gave the Ducks a 73.2% chance to make the playoff and a 49.3% chance with a loss.

The Bruins committed three turnovers, all by Iamaleava in the first half, and nine penalties for 78 yards.

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Iamaleava was hurt late in the second quarter, grabbing his left leg after two Oregon defenders tackled him outside the pocket. He sat out one play, then threw an interception on his first play back.

At halftime, CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell asked Chesney what had happened to Iamaleava. “He just got hit in the quad a little bit. He’s fine.”

A UCLA spokesperson said Iamaleava was doubtful to return with a leg injury, and he did not play in the second half.

Dieffenbach, a senior who transferred after stops at Pittsburgh and Cal Poly, found Wayne Knight for a 9-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to make it 17-6.

Knight also scored on a 35-yard run in the second quarter and finished with 103 yards on 22 carries. Knight’s PFN Impact grade of 95.9 through Week 5 ranks first of 369 graded and qualified FBS running backs.

Meanwhile, Oregon cycled through quarterbacks. Dylan Raiola, starting for the injured Dante Moore, was 6-of-19 for 43 yards with two interceptions when the Ducks turned to third-stringer Brock Thomas, trailing 17-6. Thomas lost a fumble on fourth-and-1 on his first drive.

Thomas threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Evan Stewart with just over two minutes left, but Oregon’s 2-point try failed, and UCLA held on.

Another fan compared this group to the UCLA teams of years past. “Good win. There were about 10 different times where past UCLA teams would’ve folded. Way to hang in and close it out.”

Recent UCLA teams had not won in Eugene. The Bruins had lost eight straight visits there, and their previous win came in November 2004, according to Field Level Media.

Bob Chesney Starts 5-0 at UCLA With 11 Former James Madison Players

Autzen Stadium was familiar ground for Chesney and the players who followed him west. The then-fifth-ranked Ducks beat his James Madison team 51-34 there in a College Football Playoff first-round game last December, after UCLA had already hired him. UCLA’s roster includes 11 former JMU players.

“Vindication for those 11 players and 8 coaches,” journalist Dan Lobdell wrote.

“We’re about to play a UCLA team that reminds me a lot of Indiana from last year,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning told reporters before the game. Indiana, last season’s national champion, also hired a head coach from James Madison.

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Another fan proposed a monument. “Build the Bob Chesney statue. Yes. We’re already behind schedule on construction.”

Chesney took over a program coming off a nine-loss season. CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello wrote Thursday that a win would make Chesney the first UCLA coach in 77 years to open his career 5-0.

Looking Ahead in Week 7 to Wisconsin

“Bring on the Badgers baby,” another fan wrote after praising the defense and a backup quarterback who won on the road in Eugene.

UCLA hosts Wisconsin at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 17 in Week 7. As of Oct. 10, before Saturday’s result, PFN’s College Football Playoff Meter gave UCLA a 21.9% chance to make the playoff, a 45.2% chance with a win at Oregon, and a 67.3% chance to beat the Badgers.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

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