UCLA opts out of bowl consideration, will end season vs. Stanford

Win or lose, the UCLA Bruins will end their football season versus the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday.

UCLA confirmed on Thursday that the team is withdrawing from bowl consideration per the wishes of the players. Head coach Chip Kelly said in the prepared statement:

"We are a player-led team, and we listened to our players when it came to making this decision. Our guys have given everything they've had to this season, and I've been so impressed by the maturity and selflessness they've shown. I want to thank our Return to Training Committee and Athletics administration for all of their efforts on our behalf. Our job was to create a safe environment, and our players sacrificed all season long to adhere to that environment. It's a testament to them — and to their families — that we've played a full schedule this year. We are all looking forward to competing together one more time against Stanford on Saturday."

UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond added: 

"I'm so proud of our student-athletes for how they've conducted themselves this season in order to be able to play the game they love. It's a tremendous credit to them that we have played every weekend so far. It's also a credit to the many people who have worked behind the scenes to make a season possible. I'd like to thank Chancellor Block and campus leadership for their support as we navigated this 2020 season. The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and staff has been our North Star throughout the pandemic, but the student-athlete experience is also always at the forefront of my mind. These young men have already sacrificed so much for each other; now is the time for them to shift their focus, be with their families and take a well-deserved break."

UCLA fell to 3-3 on the season via a 43-38 loss to the rival USC Trojans last Saturday. 

The Bruins join Stanford, the Kansas State Wildcats, Virginia Tech Hokies, Pitt Panthers, and Boston College Eagles among programs that opted out of postseason play. 

The SMU Mustangs withdrew from the Frisco Bowl because of COVID-19 issues affecting the team.