UCLA football has winning record for the first time since 2017

The UCLA football program continues to move in a positive direction and the victory over Arizona State helped paint that picture.

The Bruins’ first road win of the season put the program over .500 with a 3-2 record for the first time since Oct. 21, 2017.

“It feels amazing,” said third-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. “I think the whole UCLA community has been waiting for this. Like I said and (coach Chip) Kelly said all along, we’re headed in the right direction and it’s all about the process. We’re taking it day by day and working very hard, so I’m very proud of this team and where we are headed.”

Thompson-Robinson was one of at least five players to return after missing the last two weeks to quarantine.

The Bruins leaned on the running game, led by Demetric Felton and Brittain Brown, who produced most of the scoring on offense while the starting quarterback was out.

Kelly spoke highly of Thompson-Robinson, who returned to practice just days before taking the trip with the team.

“To be able to get Dorian back in the middle of the week was huge for us,” Kelly said.“Not only can he beat you throwing the ball, but I thought he was really big for us in the run game.”

Thompson-Robinson continued where he left off as one of the Pac-12’s leaders in touchdown passes with eight. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown.

The quarterback rushed for 49 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries but was also on the receiving end of five sacks by the ASU defense.

“It’s all part of the game plan,” Thompson-Robinson said. “We do what coach Kelly tells us to do. All three backs do what they’re supposed to do, …  really just having a good team around us, a good offensive line, and everyone is working as one right now.”

While Felton ran for more than 167 yards in each of the last two games (against Oregon and Arizona), he was held to just 41 yards against ASU in a controlled role.

Kelly confirmed that Felton was held back against ASU but didn’t provide details on whether the team’s leading rusher was dealing with an injury. Felton was seen limping in the fourth quarter against Arizona the week prior.

Brown led the Bruins with 94 yards while a returning Keegan Jones had five carries for 10 yards.

Like Jones, receiver Delon Hurt returned after missing a pair of games and contributed immediately on offense, catching Thompson-Robinson’s 9-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.

Defensive back Quentin Lake also returned  and made UCLA’s only pass breakup to help seal the victory in the final seconds of the game. Lake also had six tackles.

Caleb Johnson was an impact player for the Bruins on defense, with a game-high 10 tackles including 2.5 for a loss.

Johnson produced two of the Bruins’ five sacks and recovered a fumble after miscommunication between quarterback Jayden Daniel and a teammate.

“I just saw (Daniels) drop to the field, and I just had to dive for it real quick,” Johnson said. “We had just talked about how we needed to get turnovers and jump whenever we see a fumble.”

Linebacker Damian Sellers  forced a fumble, early in the third quarter, out of the hands of ASU’s Rachaad White on a 51-yard play but White was able to recover the ball.

The Bruins will return to the Rose Bowl for a Pac-12 South game against quarterback Kedon Slovis and unbeaten USC.

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