The UCLA Bruins have been mired in a state of mediocrity for the last five seasons, including the last three under head coach Chip Kelly. After defeating mighty LSU 38-27, they look poised to escape their past failures this season.

UCLA coach Kelly was defiant in his words after the victory, claiming that, in their eyes, this was no upset.

Via Kyle Bonagura of ESPN:

“There may be some people surprised out there,” said the Bruins coach. “There wasn't anybody surprised in our locker room because of the preparation that they put in this week.”

The Bruins have been miserable in non-conference games prior to this season, combining for 0-6 in their first few seasons with Kelly at the helm. They've now gone 2-0, after a resounding victory against Hawaii in the week prior.

While that win was special and by now means just a footnote for the squad, winning against national powerhouse LSU in the Rose Bowl with the fans roaring out of their minds was a different kind of special for the Bruins.

“I don't care where you're ranked and — what are we, in August or September? It really doesn't matter,” said Kelly of the Bruins victory. “I think what's important is these guys know, you don't have to write down a ranking for these guys. They know they played really well tonight. They also know on Monday nobody cares. So whatever. It is what it is it's going to talk about for other people but not for us.”

The LSU Tigers were coming off some adversity of their own. Hurricane Ida had forced them to evacuate Louisiana and move their operations to Houston. And while that definitely played a part in getting shellshocked by UCLA, the Bruins and coach Chip Kelly still deserve every ounce of credit for this victory for now. Then it's on to the next one.