WESTWOOD, Calif. — UCLA Men's Rugby opened their 2025/2026 D1A conference season with a narrow but meaningful 25–23 victory over Long Beach State on Saturday, November 8 — a match that may not have showcased the Bruins at their sharpest, but certainly highlighted their resilience.

From the opening whistle, UCLA struggled to find rhythm. Passes went down, breakdown accuracy wavered, and attacking continuity was inconsistent. Much of the difficulty was self-inflicted: penalties stalled momentum, and promising phases were cut short before they could develop into scoring opportunities.

Yet, in spite of the frustration, UCLA found a way.

In a game where momentum swung repeatedly, the Bruins stayed within striking distance. The defensive effort held firm at key moments, and when opportunities appeared, the team capitalized. The match remained tight throughout the second half, with neither side able to build separation.

As the clock hit full time, UCLA earned a penalty inside Long Beach territory — and with the game on the line, the Bruins slotted the kick to clinch a 25–23 victory.

The coaching group has introduced significant new detail across structures and systems this season. With a roster featuring fresh faces and developing combinations, the Bruins are still very much a work in progress — something expected early in the campaign. Saturday's performance reflected that reality. But coming away from an imperfect performance with a win, particularly in a pressure moment, is often what defines strong teams later in the season.

"This is a new group, with new detail. It's going to take time," Bennett said after the match. "We weren't near our best today, but we showed composure to finish when it mattered."

There was also plenty to celebrate earlier in the morning, as UCLA's B-side posted a solid win of their own against Long Beach State. Building depth has been a key emphasis for the coaching staff, and seeing the wider squad execute — and get rewarded — is a promising early-season sign.

The Bruins gain valuable experience, and a long list of learnings from both games.

Not a perfect performance — but an important step.

Next up: UCLA travels to UC Santa Cruz on Saturday 15th November. More growth, more polish, and a chance to show what this group looks like when everything starts to click.