HEADLINE

UCLA latest to take a pass on potential bowl bid

Field Level Media

December 17, 2020 at 9:33 pm.

UCLA announced Thursday it plans to pass on a bowl invitation, ending the 2020 season Saturday in a Pac-12 game against Stanford.

If the Bruins (3-3) beat Stanford, they would likely receive an invitation to continue their season in a bowl game. But head coach Chip Kelly and UCLA have no plans to play on.

“We are a player-led team, and we listened to our players when it came to making this decision,” Kelly said in a statement. “Our guys have given everything they’ve had to this season, and I’ve been so impressed by the maturity and selflessness they’ve shown. I want to thank our Return to Training Committee and athletics administration for all of their efforts on our behalf. Our job was to create a safe environment, and our players sacrificed all season long to adhere to that environment. It’s a testament to them – and to their families – that we’ve played a full schedule this year. We are all looking forward to competing together one more time against Stanford on Saturday.”

Stanford (3-2) made a similar announcement this week, even though the Cardinal would qualify for a bowl win or lose Saturday (by conference rule, Pac-12 teams need at least a .500 record). Other teams around the country also have announced they would decline bowl invitations, among them Boston College, Virginia Tech and San Diego State.

Saturday’s game at the Rose Bowl could be the final appearance in a Bruins uniform for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. He said Thursday he remains undecided whether to enter the NFL draft.

“I haven’t had time to see my family as much, so I want them to be part of this decision and hear what they have to say, as well as other people that I look up to,” Thompson-Robinson said.

Pac-12 teams are required by conference rule this season to have at least a .500 record to participate in a bowl.

UCLA lost 43-38 to USC last week, allowing 20 fourth-quarter points to cough up a 35-23 lead after three quarters. The Bruins’ other two losses were by a total of nine points.