What Is 2016 UCLA Bruins football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 UCLA Bruins football team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 4–8 overall record under head coach Jim Mora. They played their home games at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.

Key Facts

The 2016 UCLA Bruins finished with a 4–8 overall record and 2–7 in Pac-12 Conference play.
Head coach Jim Mora led the team during his fifth season at UCLA.
The Bruins played home games at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.
Quarterback Josh Rosen started all 12 games before being sidelined by injury.
UCLA lost to BYU 17–14 in the 2016 Las Vegas Bowl, finishing the season winless in bowl games under Mora.

Overview

The 2016 UCLA Bruins football team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Pac-12 Conference's South Division, the team struggled to maintain consistency, finishing with a 4–8 overall record and 2–7 in conference play.

Under head coach Jim Mora, who was in his fifth year at the helm, the Bruins showed flashes of potential but failed to secure a winning season. Despite high expectations due to returning talent, particularly on offense, the team faced setbacks from injuries and defensive shortcomings.

Record: The Bruins finished the season with a 4–8 overall record, their first losing season since 2010, and went 2–7 in Pac-12 play, placing fifth in the South Division.
Home stadium: UCLA played its home games at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, which has a seating capacity of over 90,000 and is one of the most iconic college football venues.
Head coach:Jim Mora served as head coach for his fifth consecutive season, compiling a 4–8 record in 2016 and a 45–35 overall record at UCLA by the end of his tenure.
Quarterback: Sophomore Josh Rosen started 10 games before being sidelined with a shoulder injury; he threw for 2,900 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on the season.
Bowl game: UCLA lost to BYU 17–14 in the 2016 Las Vegas Bowl on December 17, 2016, marking their third consecutive bowl loss under Mora.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 2016 season was marked by inconsistent offensive production and a porous defense that ranked among the worst in the Pac-12. While the Bruins opened with a 30–20 win over Virginia, they dropped key conference matchups against rivals USC and Utah.

September 3, 2016: UCLA defeated Virginia 30–20 in the season opener, with Josh Rosen throwing for 292 yards and two touchdowns.
October 8, 2016: A 30–27 overtime loss to Utah was a turning point; the Bruins blew a 17-point lead in the second half, highlighting defensive breakdowns.
October 22, 2016: UCLA lost to Arizona 38–23, despite Rosen throwing for 359 yards; the defense allowed 500+ total yards for the third time that season.
November 12, 2016: The Bruins were shut out 40–0 by Washington, their first shutout loss since 2009, signaling a collapse in offensive execution.
November 26, 2016: In the regular-season finale, UCLA lost 27–24 to USC in a rivalry game, despite a late rally attempt.
December 17, 2016: The season ended with a 17–14 loss to BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl, where UCLA failed to score a touchdown and managed only field goals.

Comparison at a Glance

Performance comparison of the 2016 UCLA Bruins with the previous two seasons:

Season	Overall Record	Pac-12 Record	Bowl Result	Final AP Rank
2016	4–8	2–7	Lost Las Vegas Bowl (17–14 vs BYU)	Unranked
2015	8–5	5–4	Won Alamo Bowl (42–13 vs Kansas State)	NR
2014	10–3	6–2	Won Holiday Bowl (34–31 vs Northwestern)	17
2013	10–3	6–2	Won Pac-12 Championship (42–12 vs Stanford)	11
2012	9–5	5–4	Won Pac-12 South, lost to Oregon in title game	NR

The 2016 season marked a significant decline from UCLA’s peak years under Jim Mora, particularly compared to the 10-win seasons in 2013 and 2014. The team’s offensive struggles, especially in the red zone, and defensive lapses contributed to a losing record. The lack of bowl success since 2014 further signaled a downturn in program momentum.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a pivotal moment in UCLA football history, reflecting both the volatility of college football and the challenges of sustaining success. While the program had risen under Mora, the 4–8 record raised questions about coaching decisions, player development, and long-term competitiveness.

Coaching pressure: Jim Mora faced increased scrutiny after 2016, ultimately leading to his firing after the 2017 season, ending a five-year tenure with mixed results.
Quarterback development: Josh Rosen’s performance solidified his status as a top NFL prospect, though injuries and team losses limited his draft stock.
Recruiting impact: The losing season affected UCLA’s ability to attract elite recruits, contributing to a decline in future team performance.
Defensive struggles: The Bruins allowed 33.8 points per game, ranking 115th nationally, exposing weaknesses in scheme and player execution.
Program trajectory: The 2016 season marked the beginning of a downturn, as UCLA failed to reach a winning record again until 2022 under new leadership.
Bowl relevance: UCLA’s loss to BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl extended their bowl losing streak to three games, underscoring a lack of postseason resilience.

The 2016 UCLA Bruins season serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of success in college football. Despite individual talent, systemic issues on defense and coaching decisions ultimately derailed the campaign, leaving a lasting impact on the program’s direction.