‘It was a lot of fun.’ UCLA surges in fourth, opens Bob Chesney era with win over Cal

The game took place before a sold-out crowd in Berkeley, marking a renewal of the in-state rivalry between the two programs. This win serves as the opening game for both teams, providing a successful start for Chesney's tenure at UCLA while presenting a challenging start for the opposing side. Reports from Yahoo Sports and the Los Angeles Times emphasize the nature of the win, with the latter describing the Bruins as "gutty" and suggesting the performance gave UCLA fans a reason to believe in the new direction of the program. The San Francisco Chronicle noted that while Cal's season opener contained some thrills, it ultimately ended in a loss. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Standard highlighted that the game served as a "wake-up call" for Cal as they open the era of coach Tosh Lupoi.

The UCLA Bruins also released official postgame notes regarding the event. This matchup is framed by a transition in leadership for both institutions. The game represents the beginning of the Bob Chesney era at UCLA and the Tosh Lupoi era at Cal. Additionally, coverage from Yahoo Sports notes that the two teams are former Pac-12 rivals, adding a layer of historical context to the current competition. On3 describes the victory as a "surreal season-opening win" occurring within a "surreal new era" for the UCLA football program, reflecting the high stakes of these coaching changes.

Looking forward, the coverage suggests that this result sets the initial tone for both Bob Chesney and Tosh Lupoi as they navigate their first seasons with their respective teams. For Cal, the focus remains on how the team responds to the opening loss and the perceived wake-up call described in local reporting. No further dates or upcoming opponents were specified in the provided coverage.