'That kid is tough,' Bob Chesney praises Semaj Morgan after SDSU win

The UCLA football team welcomed San Diego State to the Rose Bowl on Saturday evening for the Bruins‘ home opener, which UCLA won 28-10 to remain unbeaten.

After the game, Bruins head coach Bob Chesney spoke to the media, opening his press conference with praise for his defensive unit.

“The defense had a really nice day overall and kept us in this game when we needed it the most,” Chesney said. “I thought there were some opportunities for guys to step up and make some plays. I was pretty impressed with some of them that did it. Wayne (Knight) again, obviously with what he did, and the guys on the offensive line. And then Semaj Morgan, I think that’s a kid that just deserves a ton of credit for today’s game. There were plays that we needed to make and he made them, in tight contested areas. That kid is tough.

“Along with his punt return, along with his run blocking, it was really good to see him have the day that he had. That is not the way want to play football. Especially in the first half. It wasn’t pretty but it was gritty. I was proud of our guys, and we found a way to win the game.”

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“The defense had a really nice day overall and kept us in this game when we needed it the most,” Chesney said. “I thought there were some opportunities for guys to step up and make some plays. I was pretty impressed with some of them that did it. Wayne (Knight) again, obviously with what he did, and the guys on the offensive line. And then Semaj Morgan, I think that’s a kid that just deserves a ton of credit for today’s game. There were plays that we needed to make and he made them, in tight contested areas. That kid is tough.

“Along with his punt return, along with his run blocking, it was really good to see him have the day that he had. That is not the way want to play football. Especially in the first half. It wasn’t pretty but it was gritty. I was proud of our guys, and we found a way to win the game.”

UCLA (2-0) will be back at the Rose Bowl on Saturday at 8 p.m. to play Purdue (1-1) in Big Ten action.

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