Linebacker Darius Muasau’s college career will come full circle at SoFi Stadium as the UCLA football team plays Boise State in the LA Bowl on Saturday.

The senior spent the last two seasons with the Bruins after starting his career at Hawai’i in the Mountain West Conference and playing against Boise State twice in 2019.

“We had a lot of injuries at linebacker my freshman year,” Muasau said. “I was able to work my way into the rotation early on and was able to play against Boise State twice that year.”

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Boise State beat Hawai’i in both games, including the Mountain West Championship game. The Broncos won the conference title again this season, which made them eligible for an appearance in the LA Bowl.

Muasau will see familiar faces in the stands this week with at least 30 family members expected to come out to watch him play his final college game.

The linebacker has a team-leading 64 tackles this season. He has eight tackles for a loss, four sacks, an interception and five pass breakups. Muasau is expected to make his 26th consecutive start for the Bruins this week.

While it’s become common for some seniors and juniors with a potential career in the NFL to opt out of bowl games, Muasau stated that he understood the risk that comes with playing in the game but “wouldn’t want to pass up an opportunity to play one more game with my brothers.”

Muasau also acknowledged that it’s just as special of an opportunity to spend time and continue to make memories off the field with his teammates as well.

The Bruins spent Wednesday evening together at Universal Studios and Topgolf on Thursday.

“It was an action-packed day,” Muasau said about the trip to Universal Studios. “We all talked about what our favorite rides and most of us said ‘The Mummy’ was our favorite. It was pretty intense.”

UNANIMOUS SELECTION

UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu was named a member of the first-team defense for the American Football Coaches Association and the Sporting News on Thursday. As a result of the honors, Latu reached unanimous All-American status, the first Bruin to do so since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2005.

Latu was named as a member of the first-team defense for the Associated Press, Walter Camp and Football Writers Association of America over the past week.

The Bruins’ standout defender will not play in the bowl game this week. Latu spent the past week traveling to attend different award ceremonies.

He won the Lombardi Award (best lineman) and the Ted Hendricks Award (best defensive end) last week.