It was the same old UCLA, only this new era is costing the university $23.3 million, so maybe just a little more was expected in a 26-17 loss to two-touchdown-underdog Cincinnati?
There was a blown 10-point lead. There was a fumble that led to Cincinnati’s go-ahead safety. There was a goal-line penalty that led to the Bearcats’ clinching touchdown.
Fireworks were promised, and fireworks were delivered ... but only after both teams had left the field, in a postgame display that exploded above fans filing out of the half-filled Rose Bowl with grumbles and frowns.
But even when understanding the enormity of the task that began with promising questions about the impact of Kelly’s legendary fast-paced football culture ended with a string of deflating answers.