UCLA QB Josh Rosen shines in collegiate debut

It was just one snap into the season, but UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen was already off to a worse start to his collegiate career than his predecessor, Brett Hundley. While Rosen almost connected on a home-run ball on UCLA’s first play on offense, Brett Hundley scored on a 72-yard keeper at Rice on the first snap he took in a Bruin uniform.

But perhaps that’s overstating things a bit, and that’s a serious understatement. The first throw was about the only thing that didn’t go swimmingly for Rosen, who got off to a blistering start by completing 17-of-22 passes in the first half for 175 yards and two touchdowns.

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It was more than the numbers that made Saturday’s performance so impressive, however. Just a freshman, Rosen appeared to have total command of the offensive, moved well enough in the pocket, and, most importantly, threw some absolute dimes down the field and along the sideline to carve up the Virginia defense. Even that first incomplete pass was a thing of beauty. Sit back, relax and enjoy the Rosen highlights in the video above.

"J-Chosen" finished the game 28-of-35 for 351 yards and three touchdowns, one of those going to defensive lineman Kenny Clark, in leading UCLA to a 34-16 victory over the Cavaliers. The only true freshman quarterback to start a season opener at UCLA, Rosen set UCLA true freshman records in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns.