PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — After the emotional extremes of the week following receiver Nick Pasquale’s death, the UCLA Bruins embraced the chance for a quiet return to routine over the last several days.
And even with 42-point underdog New Mexico State arriving at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, the 13th-ranked Bruins (2-0) say they won’t lose sight of their opportunity for a remarkable season in Pasquale’s memory.
After scoring the final 38 points in their comeback win at Nebraska last week, the Bruins are rolling back to Pasadena for what could be a glorified scrimmage with the Aggies (0-3), who have lost 14 straight games and beaten just one ranked team since 1999.
But overconfidence seems unlikely for the Bruins, who spent the week praising their unfamiliar opponent while focusing on steady adjustments to lingering areas of concern.
