Bruins’ Rose Bowl Big Ten Opener Ends in Disappointment With 42-13 Loss to Indiana

UCLA’s highly anticipated Big Ten debut at the Rose Bowl ended in disappointment for local fans, as the Indiana Hoosiers dominated the Bruins 42-13 on Saturday evening. The game drew a crowd of 47,811 to Pasadena’s iconic stadium, a modest increase from UCLA’s average attendance last season but still well below capacity.

While the on-field result was disappointing for UCLA, the pageantry of Big Ten football coming to Pasadena created a festive atmosphere. The UCLA Alumni Band performed in the Court of Champions before kickoff, and a skydiving display by Team Fastrax wowed the crowd during pregame festivities.

In an effort to enhance the fan experience for UCLA’s inaugural Big Ten season, the Rose Bowl Stadium has unveiled several new concession offerings. Among the highlights are the “UCLA Bruin Bowl,” featuring seasoned waffle fries topped with hatch pepper mac and cheese and carne asada, and the “1922 ½ Pound Dog,” a hefty all-beef hot dog with shaved beef cheesesteak and a three-pepper Monterey cheese sauce.

The stadium has also implemented a state-of-the-art sound system throughout the seating area and gates, promising improved audio clarity for public address announcements and referee communications. 

Additionally, the student section has been expanded to include safe-standing areas closer to the 50-yard line, making UCLA the only Big Ten team with students directly behind the opponent’s bench.

Traffic around the Rose Bowl was heavy in the hours leading up to the 4:30 p.m. kickoff, with congestion reported on Orange Grove Boulevard and Linda Vista Avenue. The Parsons parking lot shuttle service ran continuously from 1:30 p.m. until about 90 minutes after the game’s conclusion.

Pasadena police reported no significant incidents at the Rose Bowl associated with the game. One person was detained for public intoxication, according to Lt. Sam De Sylva.

The Bruins will be away in Louisiana next week to face LSU on September 21 and will return to the Rose Bowl on September 28 to face the Oregon Ducks.