What Is 2017 UCLA Bruins football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 UCLA Bruins football team represented the University of California, Los Angeles in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 6–6 record under head coach Jim Mora. They played their home games at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, and competed in the Pac-12 Conference's South Division.

Key Facts

The 2017 UCLA Bruins finished the season with a 6–6 overall record
Head coach Jim Mora was fired after the season following a 6–6 record
UCLA played home games at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena
The team competed in the Pac-12 Conference's South Division
Quarterback Josh Rosen started all 12 games before declaring for the 2018 NFL Draft

Overview

The 2017 UCLA Bruins football team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Pac-12 Conference's South Division, the team was led by fifth-year head coach Jim Mora and played its home games at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.

Despite high expectations entering the season, particularly on offense, the Bruins struggled with consistency and finished with a 6–6 overall record, missing bowl eligibility for the first time since 2010. The season concluded with the dismissal of head coach Jim Mora after five seasons at the helm.

Overall record of 6–6: The team failed to qualify for a postseason bowl game for the first time in seven years, a significant setback after strong performances in previous seasons.
Head coach Jim Mora: In his fifth and final season, Mora compiled a 46–33 overall record at UCLA, including a 26–25 mark in conference play, before being let go.
Home venue: Rose Bowl Stadium: Located in Pasadena, the historic 91,136-seat stadium has been UCLA’s home field since 1982, replacing the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Josh Rosen as starting quarterback: The junior threw for 3,089 yards and 17 touchdowns with 10 interceptions across 12 games before announcing he would forgo his senior year and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
Pac-12 South Division: UCLA finished third in the division with a 4–5 conference record, behind champion USC and second-place Colorado.

Season Performance

The 2017 campaign was marked by offensive flashes and defensive struggles, reflecting a team in transition both on and off the field. While the offense ranked in the top 25 nationally in total yards per game, defensive lapses in key moments led to multiple close losses.

Offensive output: UCLA averaged 423.8 yards per game, ranking 24th nationally, powered by a strong passing attack led by quarterback Josh Rosen.
Defensive shortcomings: The Bruins allowed 35.5 points per game, 118th out of 130 FBS teams, a major factor in their inability to secure bowl eligibility.
Key loss to USC: In the regular-season finale, UCLA lost 45–24 to crosstown rival USC, a defeat that officially eliminated them from bowl contention.
Non-conference struggles: A 37–34 loss to Fresno State in Week 2 highlighted early-season inconsistency and defensive vulnerabilities.
Senior leadership: Running back Soso Jamabo and linebacker Jayon Johnson were among key contributors who played their final collegiate season in 2017.
Recruiting impact: The team’s performance affected recruiting momentum, with several top prospects decommitting following Mora’s dismissal.

Comparison at a Glance

UCLA’s 2017 season performance compared to recent years reveals a notable decline in both win total and postseason participation.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Game	Head Coach
2017	6–6	4–5	None	Jim Mora
2016	8–5	5–4	Win vs. Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl	Jim Mora
2015	8–5	5–4	Loss to Kansas State in the Alamo Bowl	Jim Mora
2014	10–3	6–2	Loss to Virginia Tech in the Sun Bowl	Jim Mora
2013	10–3	6–3	Win vs. Virginia Tech in the Sun Bowl	Jim Mora

The table illustrates a downward trend from 2014–2017, with declining win totals each season despite consistent offensive production. The 2017 season marked the first time since 2010 that UCLA failed to qualify for a bowl, a turning point that led to major coaching changes.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a pivotal moment in UCLA football history, symbolizing the end of an era and the need for program-wide evaluation. The failure to reach a bowl game after years of success raised questions about coaching, recruiting, and long-term strategy.

End of the Jim Mora era: Mora’s firing signaled a shift in leadership, with former Green Bay Packers coach Mike MacIntyre initially considered before Chip Kelly was hired in November 2017.
Impact on recruiting: A losing season and coaching uncertainty caused UCLA to drop in national recruiting rankings for the Class of 2018.
Josh Rosen’s departure: His early exit to the NFL left a void at quarterback, requiring the new coaching staff to rebuild the offense.
Defensive overhaul: The 35.5 points allowed per game prompted a complete reevaluation of the defensive scheme under incoming coordinator Paul Rhoads.
Program identity: The season highlighted a disconnect between offensive talent and defensive execution, a challenge future coaches would need to address.
Historical context: UCLA had reached at least nine wins in three of the previous five seasons, making the 2017 outcome a significant setback.

Ultimately, the 2017 season served as a catalyst for change, setting the stage for Chip Kelly’s arrival and a complete rebranding of UCLA football in the years that followed.