Nothing pumps up the Bruins more than the traditional UCLA versus USC football game. It’s the biggest sporting event of the year, a crosstown showdown revered and celebrated by many Angelenos from both rival universities.
Luckily for the Bruins, they dominated the game on November 22 at the Rosebowl with a 38-20 victory over the Trojans. This is the third consecutive win for UCLA after breaking USC’s previous five-game winning streak, titling this most recent win the “3-peat.”
It was certainly the spirit event of the year most looked forward to by students and alumni, which was reflected in the ticket prices. Forbes named the UCLA-USC game the most expensive college football ticket of the week, averaging $231.65. Fortunately, many UCLA students hold a Den Pass, which guaranteed them a voucher for the game.
Before it began, the parking lots and entryways were teeming with fans decked in excessive blue or red attire. Clever quips were thrown back and forth or displayed on clothing, including UCLA’s gear “DoUSCebags” and “Trojans SUC” in the university logo’s font.
Blue and gold pompoms were given out in the student section, making for a dazzling field of shimmering ripples during the exciting moments of the game. Naturally the 8-clap was performed on repeat, shouting “U-C-L-A” to the mixed crowd of blue and red across the stadium.
Although USC made the first touchdown, the Bruins quickly tied the game at 7-7. From there, it was only uphill for the Bruins as they scored five touchdowns total during the game. In fact, during the third quarter Bruins earned two while the Trojans made none, rendering the fourth quarter less captivating than expected. In fact, USC fans started filing out of the stadium during the fourth quarter, hopeless and in despair.
This win was especially rewarding for UCLA because in the days prior to the game, Trojans had spray painted the beloved Bruin bear statue with red words proclaiming “SC runs LA.” With Saturday’s win, Bruins could prove that they in fact run LA, much to the chagrin of the vandalizing Trojans.
Quarterback Brett Hundley has proudly led the defeat of the Trojans for past three years. While the most anticipated and competitive game of the year has passed, the Bruins certainly hope to continue the streak for next year’s Crosstown Showdown.
Photo courtesy of Inside UCLA