UCLA avoids disaster, rallying past Hawaii in DeShaun Foster’s coaching debut
UCLA running back T.J. Harden carries the ball during the first half of the Bruins’ 16-13 season-opening win Saturday.
(Darryl Oumi / Getty Images)
HONOLULU — DeShaun Foster has long contended that nothing said about him or his team mattered once it played ball.
UCLA’s new coach is too inexperienced? Play ball.
The Bruins won’t be able to master a complex NFL offense? Play ball.
They’re headed for a rough debut in the Big Ten? Play ball.
The Bruins finally got to play ball, and it wasn’t pretty. Far from it. What transpired on a sweltering afternoon Saturday at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex only reinforced all the preseason doubts even after UCLA rallied for a 16-13 victory over Hawaii.
Nearly midway into the third quarter, it looked like the highlight of Foster’s day might be walking off the team bus with a collection of colorful leis draped around his neck. …