UCLA’s Josh Rosen has Pac-12 title game hopes, despite rout by Stanford

Josh Rosen, UCLA’s freshman quarterback, doesn’t stay down for long.

Stanford’s 56-35 rout of the Bruins was less than an hour old and Rosen was already talking rematch.

“It’s frustrating,” Rosen said. “I really wanted to beat this team. I really wanted to make a statement. But, uh, we’ll face them again in the Pac-12 championship game.”

Yes, Rosen was talking about this season’s conference title game, which UCLA mathematically can still reach.

The idea of the Bruins getting to that game will require rapid improvement, especially on defense.

Stanford gained 310 yards rushing, 243 by Christian McCaffrey.

That has been a running theme in recent weeks. UCLA gave up 353 yards rushing to Arizona and 192 to Arizona State in the games before Stanford.

The concern is more than just the physical toll exacted by a defense getting pounded. The psyche could be affected as well.

“You have to make sure everyone sticks together, hangs together,” UCLA defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. “The only people who really matter are in that” locker room.

Losing linebacker Myles Jack and defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes deprived the Bruins of two of their best defensive players, but that’s now an old excuse.

Not too long after Thursday’s game ended, Bradley was already working on morale.

“One thing I have learned over the years, you’re not as good as you think are when you’re winning and you’re not as bad as you think you are when you lose,” Bradley said.

Coach Jim Mora also was in rally mode after watching the game tape.

“It’s very evident that our players are giving all they have and there is no quit in them,” Mora said.

“We’ll start to see the results of that soon.”

End game

Rosen stayed in the game until the bitter end.

Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said it was worth the risk in a lopsided game because of the experience Rosen accumulated.

“He needs all that work,” Mazzone said. “Plus, he wanted to stay out there and keep battling.”

Rosen completed 22 of 42 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns. He also had two passes intercepted.

On the go

Randall Goforth moved back to safety against Stanford. He played cornerback the two previous games, after Fabian Moreau was injured.

Goforth intercepted a pass in the third quarter.

The benefit to having Goforth at safety is his knowledge of the defense.

“It helps me be a general back there and make sure everyone is lined up in the right spots,” Goforth said. “It also helps me play both sides of the field instead of being stuck on one side.”

Injury report

The UCLA defense might take another hit. Linebacker Deon Hollins injured his knee and was scheduled to have it examined Friday.

On offense, tackle Conor McDermott suffered a knee injury and was to undergo an MRI exam Friday. Guard Alex Redmond left the game with a hand injury. Running back Nate Starks suffered a head injury. Receiver Tyler Scott sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament and is out for the season.

chris.foster@latimes.com

Twitter: @cfosterlatimes