UCLA football fans ecstatic for teams return to Rose Bowl: Im back home

As he manned a steaming grill topped with diced carne asada and chicken, Andre Hannie contemplated his return to some of the most hallowed ground in college football.“I’m back home,” Hannie said Saturday afternoon in Lot H of the Rose Bowl.“This is the only place to be, the best tailgate in the world.”UCLA’s home opener was also a reunion of sorts for Bruins fans and their beloved stadium.After months of pondering a move to SoFi Stadium for 2026, UCLA committed earlier this year to playing at its longtime football home for at least one more season.

School officials are also believed to be close to finalizing a return through the end of a Rose Bowl lease that expires in 2044, the California Post has learned.Of the more than a dozen fans who spoke with The Post before the Bruins played the Aztecs, there was unanimity about their desire for the future — everyone wanted UCLA to stay put at the Rose Bowl under new coach Bob Chesney.“We wouldn’t have renewed [season tickets] if we went to SoFi,” said Teresa Hannie, Andre’s wife, “so I’m just glad that they decided not to move forward and we’re here, and we’re just going to enjoy the Chesney train.”That sentiment was shared by Kim Andreason, who could once again unfurl her menagerie of stuffed bears that she’s been collecting for more than 30 years.She spread the bears on a towel next to her tailgate, something that would have been nearly impossible at SoFi Stadium, where tailgaters are restricted to small spaces behind their vehicles.“Ecstatic to be here,” Andreason said, “and be able to bring the bears back to the Rose Bowl.”Asked about his favorite aspect of tailgating at the Rose Bowl, Christopher Venditti told a reporter to look below his feet at the grass, which the Bruins would have traded in for pavement with a move to SoFi Stadium.“This, right here,” UCLA fan Joe Espino said, motioning to his tailgate, “we can’t do this at SoFi — they don’t allow it, at least...