UCLAs spring football game shows off teams new energetic vibe

The big winner of UCLA’s spring football game was anyone looking for signs of life in the program.A year ago, the team held what was dubbed a spring showcase before a smattering of fans.It was a glorified practice, with quarterback Nico Iamaleava watching in sunglasses and a designer T-shirt after having recently transferred from Tennessee.This was something else entirely.On a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl, there were trick plays galore — including a flea-flicker from Iamaleava and a William “Refrigerator” Perry-style run involving 330-pound offensive lineman Mike McDonald — during a real spring game before an enthusiastic crowd of about 10,000.In a display high on energy but low on offensive highlights under new coach Bob Chesney, the Blue team held on for a 24-17 victory over the White.

The Blue team consisted of mostly the first-string defense and the White represented mostly their offensive counterparts, with a few others sprinkled in on each side.Players from the victorious team sprinted into the end zone in celebration after backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach’s pass on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line sailed out of the back of the end zone.During an on-field interview broadcast over the stadium’s sound system, Chesney signaled his intentions for a program that hasn’t made a peep nationally since winning the Pac-10 title in 1998.“We’re back, baby,” Chesney told the fans.“We’re back.”California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!Chesney infused fun into the proceedings, inviting men’s water polo coach Adam Wright to call plays for the Blue team and women’s basketball coach Cori Close to call plays for the White team.

Chesney said Close had sought advice...