Tag Archives: Eric Kendricks

Alamo Bowl notes: UCLA ends 10-win season with new milestones

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» With its 40-35 win over Kansas State in Friday’s Alamo Bowl, UCLA has now reached 10 wins for the ninth time in school history. The Bruins are now riding just their third-ever streak of back-to-back 10-win seasons, with the first two coming in 1997-98 and 1987-88.

Including K-State, UCLA played 10 teams that earned bowl berths, tying them for second-most in the country. The only exceptions were Virginia, Cal and Colorado.

» In his career finale, quarterback Brett Hundley didn’t have his best passing game, finishing 12 of 24 for 136 yards and a touchdown. He started the game 10-of-12 before a run of seven straight incompletions. Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said afterward that Hundley’s right hand was still a bit sore from the finger injury that forced him out of UCLA’s loss to Stanford in November.

But Hundley did plenty of damage with his legs, running 11 times for 96 yards and two touchdowns. The Bruins followed the blueprint that TCU used to beat K-State, 41-20, on Nov. 8. Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin also only threw for one touchdown, but ran for three scores and 123 yards. Boykin’s proficiency on the ground also helped open up lanes for tailback Aaron Green, who had 171 yards.

“Brett went to town with his legs, for sure,” said receiver Jordan Payton.

Hundley improved his UCLA career records to 75 touchdown passes and 11,713 total offensive yards.

» Paul Perkins ran for a career-high 194 yards and two touchdowns on just 20 carries, including a 67-yard scoring run with 2:20 left in the game that gave UCLA a 40-28 lead. His rushing total was the third-most in Alamo Bowl history, and earned him the game’s offensive MVP award. Continue reading “Alamo Bowl notes: UCLA ends 10-win season with new milestones” »

UCLA 40, Kansas State 35: Jim Mora, Bruins talk after Alamo Bowl

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UCLA head coach Jim Mora and the Bruins spoke to the media following a 40-35 win over Kansas State in the Alamo Bowl, one that clinched a second straight 10-win season. During the press conference, Mora grew testy when asked about the team’s inability to close out games — as well as when asked about what appeared to be a handshake snub with K-State coach Bill Snyder.

Also on the podium were quarterback Brett Hundley, linebacker Eric Kendricks, linebacker Myles Jack, defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa, and running back Paul Perkins.

Kendricks and Perkins were named Alamo Bowl MVPs on their respective sides of the ball.

UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks accepts Senior Bowl invitation

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UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks became the second Bruin to accept an invitation to the upcoming Senior Bowl, event officials announced on Monday.

“Eric showed up big all year for the Bruins,” said Phil Savage, executive director of the pre-NFL draft all-star game. “He is a run-and-hit linebacker that can play all three downs and help on special teams, too.”

The 6-foot, 230-pound defender has led the country in solo tackles in two of his three seasons as a full-time starter, and capped his final year in Los Angeles by winning the Butkus Award, the top honor for collegiate linebackers. He also became UCLA’s second straight winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy, after former All-American and eventual ninth overall draft pick Anthony Barr.

Kendricks will be joined in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 24 by UCLA defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa, who accepted his Senior Bowl invite just before Thanksgiving. Fourteen other Pac-12 players are also on the roster.