Ben Bolch

Ben Bolch

Ben Bolch is the Senior College Sports Reporter for California Post.

Latest Articles

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows UCLA quarterback Ty Dieffenbach throws a pass during a game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium, Image 2 shows A coach and a player on a football field flash hand signs, Image 3 shows A high school football quarterback in a blue uniform with the number 14 is about to throw a pass

Ty Dieffenbach waited years for his shot — now UCLA is counting on him to step up as its QB

October 13, 2026 | 6:44pm

Ty Dieffenbach took a snap from the center, faked a handoff and dropped back before throwing a short pass early in practice Tuesday. Then it was on to a series...

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Nico Iamaleava wearing a UCLA football uniform and a blue skull cap, Image 2 shows Oregon head coach Dan Lanning talks with UCLA head coach Bob Chesney before the game, Image 3 shows Oregon quarterback Dante Moore looks on during a game

Oregon’s Dan Lanning returns UCLA’s Bob Chesney’s heartfelt gesture

October 13, 2026 | 4:20pm

The budding bromance between UCLA coach Bob Chesney and Oregon’s Dan Lanning continues to build momentum. Chesney said on Tuesday that not only did Lanning check in on injured Bruins...

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows USC coach Lincoln Riley and Penn State coach James Franklin shake hands on the field after a football game, escorted by a police officer, Image 2 shows USC quarterback prepares to throw a pass during a game against Penn State, Image 3 shows A Penn State football player carrying the ball is tackled by a USC defender
Ben Bolch

Here are USC’s 3 pathways to CFP that could save Lincoln Riley

October 13, 2026 | 1:29pm

USC’s record puts it on track for a College Football Playoff breakthrough under Lincoln Riley. The Trojans’ schedule? Different story. Southern California head coach Lincoln Riley greets Penn State head...

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Oregon defenders tackle a UCLA player during a game, Image 2 shows Medical staff tend to an injured UCLA football player lying on the field, Image 3 shows A UCLA quarterback throws a pass during a game against Oregon

UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava’s season appears over because of injury, jeopardizing CFP hopes

October 12, 2026 | 3:04pm

UCLA might have just had their CFP hopes derailed with the latest injury news.

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Action shot of a pile-up of UCLA and Oregon football players on the field, Image 2 shows Oregon coach Dan Lanning shouting on the sideline with a headset during a game against UCLA

Big Ten officials admit pivotal error late in UCLA’s win over Oregon

October 11, 2026 | 7:26pm

Whoops. The Big Ten issued a mea culpa Sunday for an officiating error that cost Oregon yardage on a pivotal play the previous day against UCLA – not that it’s...

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Football players Aiden Gobaira and Josh Phifer celebrate on the field, Image 2 shows Oregon head coach Dan Lanning stands on the sideline with his hands clasped, watching the game unfold amidst his team and staff, Image 3 shows Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) motions during the NCAA football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio

Surging UCLA is on the move in latest Big Ten football power rankings

October 11, 2026 | 1:41pm

UCLA made a statement on Saturday, but was it enough to crack the top two?

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows UCLA head coach Bob Chesney stands on the sideline wearing a headset and black long-sleeve shirt, Image 2 shows UCLA football players celebrate enthusiastically on the field, Image 3 shows Anthony Woods leaps over a fallen player as Koi Perich watches during a football game
Ben Bolch

UCLA can’t waste any time locking remarkable football coach up with big contract extension

October 11, 2026 | 9:41am

Text the contract lawyer. Come up with the terms. Pay the man.

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A UCLA player smiles while embracing another player on the field after a game against Oregon, Image 2 shows UCLA running back Wayne Knight, left, and UCLA wide receiver Landon Ellis celebrate a touchdown by Knight, Image 3 shows UCLA quarterback Ty Dieffenbach throws a pass

UCLA QB Ty Dieffenbach, former 3rd-stringer, saves day in epic win over Oregon

October 10, 2026 | 9:30pm

EUGENE, Ore. — One moment, UCLA backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach is watching from the sideline, not having thrown a pass all season. The next, he catches his name being called...

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava fumbles the ball on the goal line against the Oregon Ducks, Image 2 shows UCLA football players celebrate on the field during a game against Oregon

UCLA holds off Oregon for momentous 17-15 victory with backup QB

October 10, 2026 | 7:19pm

EUGENE, Ore. — Backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach delivered a gutsy performance and the UCLA defense put on a show for the ages during the No. 21 Bruins’ pulsating 17-15 victory...

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Oregon defensive lineman A'mauri Washington blocks a pass by UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava, Image 2 shows UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (14) passes the ball during a game against Oregon

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava leaves Oregon game with injury

October 10, 2026 | 6:11pm

EUGENE, Ore. — UCLA will have to rely on its backup quarterback to beat Oregon. After starter Nico Iamaleava left at halftime with what a team spokesperson said was a...

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Lincoln Riley on the field clapping during practice, Image 2 shows Penn State head coach James Franklin wearing a headset and a blue pullover during a game against Northwestern, Image 3 shows A USC quarterback in a red and yellow uniform prepares to throw a football during a game against Washington

USC football, Penn State try to rebound from early disappointments

October 9, 2026 | 5:57pm

This could be labeled the Buyer’s Remorse Bowl. On one sideline will be USC’s Lincoln Riley, still trying in Year 5 to prove he was the right hire to take...

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiola celebrates with his arms raised in the air, Image 2 shows UCLA quarterback prepares to throw a pass during a game against Maryland, Image 3 shows UCLA head coach reacts during the game against California

UCLA facing its biggest game of 21st century; what will win the day for Bruins

October 9, 2026 | 1:39pm

EUGENE, Ore. – Bob Chesney likes to say that UCLA is one good football team away from being the most dominant athletic department in the country. Maybe the Bruins are...

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Mick Cronin speaks at a press conference, seated at a table with a microphone and a nameplate in front of him, Image 2 shows Austin Reaves sits on the bench smiling during a preseason game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings

UCLA’s Mick Cronin is impressed by Austin Reaves — and it’s not his jumper

October 8, 2026 | 9:22pm

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Austin Reaves spots Mick Cronin five, maybe six shots a side whenever they play golf. It’s the least the star Lakers guard can do given how the...

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A bald man wearing a light blue plaid jacket and a light blue dress shirt, smiling, standing in a hotel hallway, Image 2 shows A smiling young man in a blue UCLA polo shirt sits in a chair, raising his arms in celebration as a photographer takes his picture, Image 3 shows Two male athletes in blue UCLA shirts seated at a press conference table, with a nameplate in front of the player on the left reading "Eric Dailey Jr."
Ben Bolch

Why UCLA’s Mick Cronin is hungry for more than wins on game days

October 8, 2026 | 7:08pm

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Mick Cronin was charming with every word again Thursday, the UCLA men’s basketball coach barely going a minute without ripping off a one-liner about something that caught...

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A blonde woman wearing a blue plaid suit and a multi-strand pearl necklace stands in front of a black backdrop with repeating "BIG" and "TIAA" logos, Image 2 shows UCLA women's basketball coach Cori Close celebrates amidst falling blue and yellow confetti at Pauley Pavilion

UCLA’s Cori Close hasn’t shut door on WNBA after winning national title

October 8, 2026 | 8:00am

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Cori Close won’t bolt for another college job, she promises. The WNBA? That remains to be seen. After guiding the UCLA women’s basketball team to its first...

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows USC guard Judea Watkins handles the ball during a game, Image 2 shows JuJu Watkins of USC holding a basketball while being defended by Adalia McKenzie and Berry Wallace of Illinois, Image 3 shows Two female basketball players taking a selfie on a court, wearing blue UCLA jerseys
Ben Bolch

The greatest showdown in town? This season, it’s UCLA-USC women’s hoops

October 7, 2026 | 8:20pm

ROSEMONT, Ill. — On one side of town is a defending national champion that reloaded like a rich kid with his parent’s credit card at Erewhon. On the other side...

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows USC basketball player JuJu Watkins dribbles the ball down the court during a game, Image 2 shows Sienna Betts shooting a basketball, Image 3 shows Two young women in professional attire stand side-by-side in a large convention hall, with one excitedly showing off a ring on her left hand

UCLA, USC basketball rivals share an unexpected bond off the court

October 7, 2026 | 4:50pm

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The moment she spotted UCLA’s Sienna Betts posing across the room in front of a giant Big Ten logo, USC’s Jazzy Davidson broke into a giddy smile,...

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Lincoln Riley watches over USC football players during practice, Image 2 shows A Washington football player running with the ball against USC

USC’s Lincoln Riley decries poor tackling against Washington: ‘zero excuse’

October 6, 2026 | 11:31pm

USC fans who watched a pair of defenders play two-hand touch on Washington’s final touchdown Saturday weren’t the only incredulous observers. Count Trojans coach Lincoln Riley in that same group....

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows UCLA men's basketball coach Mick Cronin during practice, Image 2 shows Nikola Kusturica shoots a basketball during practice, Image 3 shows Miami Heat player wearing number 7 holds a basketball on the court

UCLA basketball’s 17-year-old phenom wise, skilled beyond his years

October 6, 2026 | 5:36pm

Maybe comparing UCLA freshman Nikola Kusturica to a younger version of NBA All-Stars Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t going far enough. “This might sound a little cocky,” Kusturica said...

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Oregon coach Dan Lanning wearing a headset and a white pullover on the sidelines during a game, Image 2 shows A football coach wearing a headset stands on the sideline with his arms crossed during a game, Image 3 shows A UCLA football player runs with the ball while a Purdue player chases him

UCLA’s Bob Chesney is bringing major reinforcements into Oregon rematch

October 5, 2026 | 8:14pm

With his team having risen to No. 21 in the national rankings, UCLA coach Bob Chesney wrote that number where his players could see it. He did not want them...