UCLA and first-year head coach DeShaun Foster are off to a rough 1-5 start in his debut season leading his alma mater.
After beating Hawaii in a close 16-13 contest to open the year, the Bruins have dropped their last five games in a row.
On the surface, that looks rough. However, those losses are to Indiana (undefeated), LSU (1-loss), Oregon (undefeated), Penn State (undefeated), and a tight loss to Minnesota (3-losses).
The combined record of those five opponents at this point in the season? An impressive 27-4.
That's a big reason why athletic director Martin Jarmond offered a vote of support to Foster to the LA Times recently.
"I am confident in DeShaun," Jarmond shared, eight months after he appointed the former standout running back as Chip Kelly's replacement.
"This is DeShaun's team, these are his players and he's working hard every day to make this program successful. Growth isn't linear, and it's not always reflected in the record."
"I think DeShaun has done a good job considering all the circumstances surrounding this season. With every sport, you always look at it in a totality perspective and playing the toughest schedule in the country with a new conference, a new staff, a lot going on, and the student-athletes have fought hard every game and I think DeShaun is accountable. He's very self-aware, I talk to him regularly, and I like the way he's approaching the season and working with our young men each and every week."
"He understands his role as the head coach and leader of this program. He takes ownership for where we need to improve."
The Bruins have to hit the road the next two weekends to take on Rutgers and Nebraska before getting Iowa at home. The season wraps up with games at Washington before getting USC and Fresno State at home.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.