UCLA's 3-0 start this season is no fluke, quarterback Brett Hundley said during an appearance on the Max and Marcellus radio show Wednesday on 710 ESPN.
"This team is for real," Hundley said. "We’re coming to do some big things this year and we can’t let anything get in our way. Every week we’ve got to come out and win some games but this year is different. We’ve got to come out and do some big things."
UCLA has won more than seven regular-season games only once since 1999 but has created a bit of a national buzz this season after starting with victories over Rice, Nebraska and Houston and moving to No. 19 in the Associated Press poll. Hundley is at the helm of an offense that is No. 2 in the nation in total offense with an average of 622 yards per game and features the nation's leading rusher in Johnathan Franklin.
Hundley, a freshman, has completed 69 of 103 passes for 827 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions, number that stack up with projected first-round NFL draft pick Matt Barkley of USC (66-109, 813 yards, 10 touchdowns, three interceptions). Hundley said the Bruins, who open Pac-12 Conference play against Oregon State on Saturday at the Rose Bowl, could go undefeated this season.
"We can, we can," he said. "We have a big opportunity, we can."
Coach Jim Mora said Thursday that he hadn't seen any signs of complacency among his team, even though it might be human nature to be satisfied by the strong start.
"I think the reason why is that Oregon State got their attention very quickly when we turned on the film," Mora said. "They beat Wisconsin and played great defense. That get’s your attention. It being a Pac-12 opener, that gets you attention.
"I sense excitement more than anything and maybe even a greater focus than we’ve had the last few weeks and I’m really encouraged by it so hopefully that’s what we see on Saturday."
