UCLA’s running back Keegan Jones (22) gets congratulated by his linemen after scoring his first touchdown during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s wide receiver Jake Bobo (9) scrambles for extra yards during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s running back Keegan Jones (22) heads for the end zone during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) backs his way into a touchdown during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Upper level seats were tarped off and covered at the Rose Bowl at a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
A fan is surrounded by empty seats during the National Anthem before a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) intercepts a pass intended for Alabama State’s wide receiver Darius Edmonds (15) in the end zone during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s running back Keegan Jones (22) make Alabama State’s defensive back Irshaad Davis (0) during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s running back Christian Grubb (32) fall into the end zone for a ouch down during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s defensive lineman Sitiveni Havili-Kaufusi (95) hurries Alabama State’s quarterback Joe Owens Jr. (12) during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s defensive lineman Dovid Magna (94) and linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) pick up Alabama State’s running back Dontrey Manley (36) after a short gain during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) has a lot of room on the way to his first touchdown during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Alabama State’s defensive back Jeffrey Scott Jr. (7) gets called for pass interference on UCLA’s tight end Hudson Habermehl (81) setting up a UCLA touchdown during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s defense celebrates UCLA’s defensive back Alex Johnson’s (19) interception during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s offensive lineman Atonio Mafi (56) opens a hole for UCLA’s running back Christian Grubb (32) during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s tight end Hudson Habermehl (81) celebrates with UCLA’s quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) after his first touchdown during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) celebrates his second touchdown during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s head coach Chip Kelly decides to go for a field goal during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s running back Carsen Ryan (20) battles for extra yards near the end zone during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) celebrates his second touchdown during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s running back Carsen Ryan (20) battles for extra yards near the end zone during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) sacks Alabama State’s quarterback Myles Crawley (7) during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) celebrates his second touchdown with UCLA’s tight end Hudson Habermehl (81) during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) celebrates his first touchdown with his offense during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) scramble during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s tight end Hudson Habermehl (81) tries to evade defenders during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) forces a fumble by Alabama State’s quarterback Myles Crawley (7) during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s tight end Hudson Habermehl (81) celebrates his touchdown with UCLA’s wide receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala (2) during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s wide receiver Colson Yankoff (7) battles for extra yards during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s tight end Hudson Habermehl (81) gets into the end zone despite Alabama State’s defense during a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Young fans reach out to shake hans with UCLA players on the way to field before a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA’s head coach Chip Kelly heads for the field before a non-conference football game between UCLA and Alabama State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
PASADENA – UCLA dominated Alabama State on Saturday, but it wasn’t without a wrinkle of concern over the status of their two most important players.
Running back Zach Charbonnet did not play at all, and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson left in the second quarter. They were both dressed and remained on the sidelines.
What caused them to sit out is unclear, with head coach Chip Kelly offering just an “unavailable” when asked postgame about their status. Thompson-Robinson appeared to tweak an ankle while making a shovel pass early in the game. The UCLA radio broadcast reported that Charbonnet was limited at Thursday’s practice, which was closed to the media.
“I’m not a prognosticator, and if I was, I’d be at Del Mar tomorrow and make a lot of cash, so we’ll just take it how it comes,” Kelly said when asked of Charbonnet’s availability for next week. “I don’t make those decisions. Other people make those decisions.”
Backup quarterback Ethan Garbers, who replaced Thompson-Robinson and finished 14-of-18 passing for 164 yards and two touchdowns, said he had been preparing all week as if he was going to play – hinting that the plan all along for UCLA was to roll through its depth.
Kelly will likely elaborate on Monday on what the gameplan was and whether the star duo will be available for Monday’s practice.
UCLA wraps up its non-conference schedule next week against Southern Alabama before beginning Pac-12 play in two weeks.
Stealing the show
UCLA’s first game against an HBCU program brought with it a special halftime performance.
Alabama State’s marching band, the Mighty Marching Hornets, returned to Pasadena after playing in the Rose Parade in 2019.
Alabama State’s marching band, “The Mighty Marching Hornets,” which performed at the 2019 Rose Parade, returns to perform at the Rose Bowl: pic.twitter.com/U6DFzhiFwF
The band performed at halftime on Saturday and received a rousing ovation from many of the UCLA fans in attendance. Set up in the south end zone, Alabama State’s band outflanked UCLA’s band in what had to be a proud moment for the members.
UCLA won’t have its full band in tact until the Fall quarter begins later this month.
Better crowd
The temperature at the Rose Bowl was muggy and humid, but it was heavenly compared to the 100-degree temperatures of last week’s home opener. That drew a record-low crowd of 27,143.
Saturday’s crowd at the Rose Bowl was 33,727, and it looked bigger too, with fans perhaps compelled by the better weather, USC playing on the road and the history of watching an HBCU program in town.
Rising up the ranks
Even in his limited action, Thompson-Robinson moved up the record books at UCLA. The fifth-year quarterback made his 37th career start, which is fourth most for all-time games started by a UCLA quarterback.
Thompson-Robinson also passed Josh Rosen for third all-time in total offensive yards with an 18-yard completion to Keegan Jones early in the second quarter. He now has 9,208 yards in his career.
