Bob Chesney was not quite impressed with UCLA’s home crowd in Week 8

It might be only his first year in Los Angeles but Bob Chesney has already earned the benefit of the doubt. Chesney has resurrected the UCLA Bruin football program, leading the team to a 7-0 start to the season and has the team at No. 7 in the latest polls.

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With Chesney having established himself and his team at the Rose Bowl this season, Chesney spoke about the lackluster home crowds for the exciting Bruins, who appear to have an inside track to a College Football Playoff appearance.

During his media availability on Monday, Chesney spoke about the crowd on Saturday’s homecoming game.

“I don’t really turn around and look behind me and see what’s really going on. I think the student section was slow to get in there and then felt like they left a little bit early,” Chesney said. “I think they got to do a better job too. We all got to do a better job. We probably got to get a little bit more involved and make sure our guys in classes are talking about this with everybody, making sure they can connect a story and a face to this team.”

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In the NIL era, it’s hard to even imagine players in classes but Chesney wants his players out there recruiting some fans. It’s an inspiring effort but nothing will help grow attendance more than sustained success.

“I think we’ve done everything we could, as far as the tickets,” Chesney said, speaking of free attendance for students. “I think our administration is doing a great job. We just got to make sure everybody keeps talking about it all the time now, especially on this campus.”

Chesney and the undefeated Bruins have given Westwood plenty to talk about.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Bob Chesney was not quite impressed with UCLA’s home crowd in Week 8

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Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire

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This story was originally published October 27, 2026 at 6:48 AM.