UCLA Men's Rugby opened its 2026 D1A schedule on Saturday, January 24 with a 92–0 victory over UC Santa Barbara at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. The match marked the Bruins' first D1A contest of the calendar year and the beginning of a three-game home stretch in Westwood.

Earlier in the day, UCLA's B-Side set the tone with a 70–0 win over UCSB, highlighting the program's depth and collective preparation coming out of the winter break.

In the main fixture, UCLA focused on establishing structure and consistency from the outset. The Bruins were effective at the set piece and breakdown, allowing them to maintain possession and field position for extended periods. Multiple players contributed on the scoresheet as UCLA worked through phases and capitalized on opportunities as they arose.

Defensively, the Bruins were disciplined and organized, limiting UCSB's attacking chances and keeping pressure off their own goal line throughout the match. The shutout reflected a collective effort across the full 80 minutes.

Head Coach Harry Bennett emphasized the process behind the performance rather than the result.

"Our focus was on game management and execution within our game plan," Bennett said. "Above all, we were demanding high work rate off the ball for our players. That's an area we continue to emphasize, and it's an important foundation for the growth of this team moving forward."

Despite the decisive scoreline, the Bruins approached the match as an opportunity to reinforce standards, integrate returning players, and assess combinations ahead of the heart of conference play.

UCLA Men's Rugby will look to carry those lessons forward as D1A competition continues, with the Bruins remaining at Wallis Annenberg Stadium for the next two matches of their home stand.

Next Up: Bruins host Cal at Wallis Annenberg Stadium on Saturday, 31st Jan for a 12pm pst kickoff.