About last night: A review of UCLA’s Cactus Bowl loss to Kansas State

UCLA defensive back Nate Meadors (22) tackles Kansas State quarterback Alex Delton in the first half during an NCAA college football bowl game, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

That was not the way UCLA was planning to honor Jim Mora, but its 35-17 loss to Kansas State in the Cactus Bowl did seem appropriate in some ways.

For the coach whose teams were regularly among the nation’s worst in penalties, the Bruins committed eight penalties for 73 yards. For the coach whose tenure included two 10-win seasons in the first three years, UCLA took a 10-point lead at halftime. Then for the coach who steered the program’s fade into mediocrity during the past three seasons, the Bruins gave up 28 unanswered points in a second-half collapse.

“Obviously, very disappointed in the final result,” interim head coach Jedd Fisch said. “But couldn’t be more proud of the team. We handled a ton of adversity this year and a ton of change.”

There will be more change on the horizon as the Chip Kelly era has officially started.

Links to wrap up the game:

A more in-depth review of the game. There will be more review done for the season as a whole in the coming days: Continue reading “About last night: A review of UCLA’s Cactus Bowl loss to Kansas State” »

About last night: Links to recap UCLA’s 30-27 win over Cal

UCLA players mob kicker JJ Molson #17 after he hit a field goal with seconds left in their game against Cal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., Friday, Nov 24, 2017. UCLA defeated Cal 30-27. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

UCLA grabbed two victories this weekend with a 30-27 win against Cal on Friday to earn bowl eligibility followed by inking Chip Kelly to a five-year, $23.3 million deal Saturday.

A 37-yard field goal from J.J. Molson sealed the on-field win for the Bruins (6-6, 4-5 Pac-12) as they secured their first undefeated home season since 2005.

“Our whole football operations from the trainers to the doctors from the equipment managers to the coaching staff to the training staff to the strength staff, to the nutritionists are all so appreciative for this opportunity,” interim head coach Jedd Fisch said. “We are obviously excited as a program.”

Fisch and the current staff are expected to stay on to guide the Bruins through their bowl game next month.

Quarterback Josh Rosen was injured in the first half after getting slammed to the field on a sack. He passed for 202 yards and two touchdowns before making way for Devon Modster, who finished with 191 yards on 14-for-18 passing. The redshirt freshman who just started throwing footballs again this week after breaking his thumb three weeks ago led the Bruins on a game-winning drive with 2:22 left to set up Molson’s game-winning field goal with eight seconds left.

Jordan Lasley had another career-high with 227 receiving yards on 12 catches with one touchdown.

Links to recap the game:

Not a full review, but some quick leftover thoughts/notes from the game: Continue reading “About last night: Links to recap UCLA’s 30-27 win over Cal” »

About last night: A review of UCLA’s 44-37 win over Arizona State

UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) runs for a touchdown against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Josh Rosen came to the sideline and took off his helmet. Blood was smeared all over his face.

A face mask penalty during the fourth quarter against Arizona State on Saturday was one of the few major hits on Rosen as the junior returned from a one-game absence and led the Bruins to a 44-37 win over the Sun Devils. ASU, the No. 8 team in the country in sacks, didn’t record a sack against UCLA as Rosen completed 25 of 45 passes for 381 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Bruins (5-5, 3-4 Pac-12) notched a critical victory, sustaining their bowl hopes with two regular-season games left. By improving to 5-0 at home this year, UCLA needs only one win out of next week’s rivalry game at USC and Nov. 24’s regular-season finale at the Rose Bowl against California to secure bowl eligibility.

Links to wrap up the game:

An in-depth review of the game:  Continue reading “About last night: A review of UCLA’s 44-37 win over Arizona State” »

About last night: A review of UCLA’s 48-17 loss to Utah

Utah running back Troy McCormick Jr. (4) celebrates after scoring against UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) during the second half during an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

The UCLA defense has had enough trouble stopping opposing offenses, but the Bruins suffered from friendly fire during Friday’s 48-17 loss to Utah.

UCLA defensive backs Jaleel Wadood and Darnay Holmes ran into each other on the first play of the third quarter against Utah, allowing Utah receiver Troy McCormick to come free on a simple wheel route for a 75-yard touchdown.

The Bruins (4-5, 2-4 Pac-12) fell to the bottom of the Pac-12 South with the loss and have to win two out of their final three games to secure bowl eligibility.

Links to wrap up Friday’s game:

An in-depth review of Friday’s game: Continue reading “About last night: A review of UCLA’s 48-17 loss to Utah” »

About last night: A review of UCLA’s 44-23 loss to Washington

UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen (3) is sacked by Washington’s Benning Potoa’e late in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

After Washington ran the ball 58 times against UCLA on Saturday, racking up 333 yards on the ground in a 44-23 rout, a reporter asked UCLA safety Adarius Pickett if he was surprised that the usually balanced Huskies ran the ball so often. He was, he said. Then again, maybe he wasn’t.

“I mean, why would you?” Pickett said. “You’re having success on the ground.”

The Bruins (4-4, 2-3 Pac-12) were thoroughly dominated by No. 12 Washington on Saturday. The offense gained a season-low 232 yards and lost quarterback Josh Rosen to an undisclosed injury that will receive more evaluation this week. The defense continued to show why it is the worst rushing defense in the country. The special teams gave up 40 yards per kick return, including a 82-yarder.

UCLA has to recover quickly with another road game Friday at Utah at 6:30 p.m.

Links to recap Saturday’s game:

A delayed more in-depth analysis of the game: Continue reading “About last night: A review of UCLA’s 44-23 loss to Washington” »