Conference Pac-12 Conference 2015 record 8–5 (5–4 Pac-12) Offensive scheme Multiple | Division South Division Head coach Jim L. Mora (4th year) | |
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Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone (4th year) | ||
The 2015 UCLA Bruins football team represented the University of California, Los Angeles in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bruins were coached by fourth-year head coach Jim L. Mora and played their home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. They were members of the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference.
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Previous season
The team finished the season as the No. 10 ranked team in the country with 10 wins, including a 40–35 win over the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2015 Alamo Bowl. The Bruins were led by quarterback Brett Hundley, running back Paul Perkins and linebacker Eric Kendricks. The team defeated the cross-town rival USC Trojans for three straight years, this time 38–20 on November 22, 2014 in the Rose Bowl.
Roster
On August 14, 2015, UCLA announced that freshman wide receiver Cordell Broadus had left the UCLA football team, "[deciding] to pursue other passions in his life."
Virginia
UCLA freshman quarterback Josh Rosen completed 28 of 35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns in a 34–16 win over Virginia. The No. 13 Bruins gained 503 yard in total offense as Rosen completed passes to 11 different receivers. UCLA did not allow a touchdown until the final minutes of the game.
The nation's top quarterback recruit, Rosen was taking over for three-year starter Brett Hundley, who had left for the National Football League (NFL). On the first play, the freshman threw a perfect 55-yard pass to Kenneth Walker III, who dropped the pass. The drive stalled, but Rosen completed seven consecutive passes at the end of the quarter, including a scoring pass to Devin Fuller. In the middle of the second quarter, Rosen connected with Thomas Duarte on a 30-yard pass placed over the defender's shoulder and into his receiver's hands. Two defenders playing on offense scored for UCLA in the third. Linebacker Myles Jack, who also spends some time at running back, scored on a run, and defensive tackle Kenny Clark caught a scoring pass late in the quarter. Virginia, who had been limited to three field goals, scored their only touchdown with 3:29 left in the game.
The Cavaliers had been selected to finish last among seven teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division, and lost six of seven games dating back to the previous season. Rosen was honored as the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week.
Coaches
National awards
Lou Groza Award: Ka'imi Fairbairn
Foster Farms Bowl MVP: Jaleel Wadood
All-American teams
The following Pac-12 players were named to the 2015 College Football All-America Team by the Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF), Associated Press (AP), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Sporting News, and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA):
Ka'imi Fairbairn, K (WCFF, AP, FWAA, AFCA)
Ka'imi Fairbairn, K, (SN)
Kenny Clark (AP)
Conference awards
Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year: Josh Rosen
All-conference teams
The following players were named to the All-Pac-12 team.
Team players in the NFL
The following players were drafted into professional football following the season.