Winning hasn’t come easy for the UCLA football team this season.

The same can be said about the Bruins’ recent history against Stanford.

Coach Chip Kelly will lead the Bruins into Stanford Stadium on Thursday for the Pac-12 Conference game and a chance to break an 11-game losing streak against the Cardinal.

The last time UCLA faced Stanford on a Thursday night, quarterback Josh Rosen and the Bruins lost 56-35 in 2017. The Cardinal scored all 56 points through the first three quarters and allowed 15 of the Bruins’ points in the fourth.

UCLA had won five in a row in the series before Stanford’s current streak, which is the longest for either team. UCLA owns a 45-42-3 overall advantage in the series, which started in 1925.

Despite the recent history, Kelly remains focused on this week.

“I don’t go back … it’s irrelevant to this game,” Kelly said. “We will go back to last year because we played them and see how they defended us. We are really looking at personnel and scheme.”

Running back Joshua Kelley is one of the returning players for the Bruins who made an impact in last year’s 49-42 loss at the Rose Bowl. Kelley had 18 carries for 55 yards and two touchdowns, part of a Bruins’ offense that gained a season-high 528 yards.

K.J. Costello led Stanford’s offense with 344 yards, five touchdowns and one interception a year ago, but that won’t be the case this year.

Coach David Shaw provided clarity on Stanford’s quarterback situation Tuesday, saying Costello will miss his third consecutive game because of a thumb injury.

Davis Mills could continue to fill in as the starting quarterback, but his availability appears unlikely as well.

Mills suffered a calf injury in a 21-13 victory over Washington last weekend.

Shaw called Mills’ status against UCLA “between doubtful and questionable.”

If Mills is also ruled out, sophomore Jack West would get the start against UCLA’s struggling defense.

Stanford’s quarterback situation doesn’t change the mindset of defensive linemen Tyler Manoa and the UCLA defense.

“We will want to get a pass rush and get to the quarterback,” Manoa said. “Every week that is a working progression for our defensive line. We are just trying to improve and make those sacks.”

Senior offensive linemen Boss Tagaloa didn’t need to know about the streak in order to be motivated for Stanford.

“It’s exciting to go back home and play Stanford,” Tagaloa said. “I just know I haven’t beaten Stanford since I’ve been here.

Tagaloa played at De La Salle High in Concord, located 52 miles from Stanford’s campus.

Related Articles Alexander: Pac-12 football is back, but the optics aren’t great

UCLA’s Chip Kelly in ‘happy place’ preparing for Pac-12 football season

Pac-12 agrees to start football season in November

Coronavirus: Gavin Newsom says California has no restrictions preventing Pac-12 football’s restart

UCLA’s Joshua Kelley, Darnay Holmes and Devin Asiasi named to 53-man NFL rosters UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson missed last year’s game against Stanford, with Wilton Speight playing in his place. Thompson-Robinson remains questionable with an ankle injury and could sit out again this week, which would put redshirt sophomore Austin Burton in line for his second career start.

“I know I’m comfortable with both quarterbacks,” Tagaloa said. “I know they will get the job done.”

Like Tagaloa, receiver Chase Cota has confidence in either QB.

Burton finished 27-of-41 for 236 yards and a touchdown against Oregon State last week. He also rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown.

“Burton is building confidence every day,” Cota said. “We have trust in him. He can sling it. If (receivers) are getting open I think we have a shot with him.”