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Freshman running back Kahlil Bell emerged from the No. 3 spot on the UCLA depth chart to share MV

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Bell's performance in the Vitalis Sun Bowl offered a glimpse into the future of the UCLA rushing

EL PASO, Texas — Long after his teammates emptied the locker room, UCLA's Kahlil Bell sat outside his locker with a big smile spread across his face. It was an afternoon the freshman running back will never forget.

After star running back Maurice Drew was slowed down by a left shoulder injury in the first quarter, Bell made the most of his 19 touches, racking up a career-high 139 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

UCLA fell behind Northwestern after three costly interceptions by senior quarterback Drew Olson, but Bell brought his team back with a 5-yard touchdown run at the end of the first quarter and a 6-yard scamper into the end zone with under nine minutes remaining in the second quarter to help knot the game at 22-22. The Bruins never looked back.

"I just tried not to mess up," Bell said. "When Maurice went down, coach (Karl Dorrell) came in and asked me if I'm ready. And I told him, yeah, I'm ready. This is something that I've worked hard for my whole life. This is something that I wanted."

Bell, a California product out of Marin Catholic High School, was named co-MVP of the Sun Bowl with fellow running back Chris Markey, who ran for 155 rushing yards on 23 carries.

Bell and Markey's heroics are a testament to the Bruins' depth at running back.

"Those kids understand that they have to always prepare themselves and understand that anything can happen," UCLA running backs coach Eric Bieniemy said. "I'm proud of those two kids, and they'll have a great future in front of them."

For Bell, the Sun Bowl validated a year of hard work and personal growth.

For most of the season, the 5-foot-11, 206-pound Bell was mired at the bottom of the Bruins' running back depth chart. Add that to the fact he's sitting behind one of the most prolific running backs in UCLA history in Drew and a shifty sophomore in Markey, and Bell saw very few touches in the first part of the season.

Bell wasn't discouraged, but he also wasn't satisfied with just being a role player.

"Kahlil, he stepped up so much this year, I can't even explain," Markey said. "Just seeing him from when he came in and not knowing the offense, and coming to me and Maurice and having to ask us for help – it's just amazing how much he's learned and how much he's progressed. Today, he was running the ball like he's been in this offense forever."

Coming into his freshman season, Bell didn't know what to expect. In fact, he admitted that he doubted himself. The rigors of football tired him.

"When I came in I didn't have many expectations," said Bell, who finished with 310 rushing yards, 53 carries, three touchdowns and averaging 5.9 yards per carry this season. "I just wanted to play. That was my goal. When I came in I wasn't sure how my talent stacked up to the rest of the guys on the team. I just put my hard hat on just to get some playing time. I don't think I can top the way this season has ended."

But now Bell has his name in the record books in the second oldest bowl in college football.

As his teammates celebrate the program's first bowl victory under Dorrell, Bell was in his powder-blue UCLA sweats with his headphones wrapped around his neck. Taking a moment to himself in the locker room, he could not believe the day he had and what this means for the future of the Bruins.

"What can you say – this is the best way to end my freshman year," Bell said. "This year taught us we're right there at the crest of putting this program at the next level and (being) a powerhouse in this country. I think winning this 10th game is going to help us over the hump, and hopefully next year we can compete for a national championship."