About last night: A review of UCLA’s 31-14 win over Oregon

UCLA wide receiver Christian Pabico, left, runs in for a touchdown as Oregon cornerback Thomas Graham watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Christian Pabico was just trying to block down field. Then Bolu Olorunfunmi came flying in out of nowhere.

“Thank God he landed in the end zone,” Pabico said of Olorunfunmi’s show-stealing 22-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of UCLA’s 31-14 win over Oregon on Saturday.

The UCLA running back jumped, surfed on the shoulder pads of an Oregon defender, then fell into the end zone. He had little recollection of the play afterwards, saying “Honestly I still don’t know what happened, I just jumped.” Good thing there’s video:

While Olorunfunmi’s eye-catching touchdown was the highlight of the day, the Bruins (4-3, 2-2 Pac-12) earned a critical victory with a strong overall performance. The offense didn’t turn the ball over for the first time since Sept. 9. The defense pitched a second-half shutout for their fourth-straight win at the Rose Bowl and UCLA kept its bowl hopes alive in the must-win game.

Links to wrap up the game:

A more in-depth review of Saturday’s game: Continue reading “About last night: A review of UCLA’s 31-14 win over Oregon” »

About last night: A review of UCLA’s 47-30 loss to Arizona

Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate (14) runs for a first down in front of UCLA linebacker Krys Barnes (14) during the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UCLA knew what it was facing in Khalil Tate. Yet the Bruins didn’t have any answers for the Wildcat quarterback as he piled up 230 rushing yards while leading Arizona to a 47-30 win over UCLA at Arizona Stadium on Saturday.

Jim Mora suffered his first loss to the Wildcats in his UCLA tenure. The defense gave up 605 total yards, the most in a single game since 2014 against Arizona State, and UCLA dropped to 3-3, 1-2 Pac-12 at the halfway point of the season.

Links to recap the loss:

A more in-depth review of the game: Continue reading “About last night: A review of UCLA’s 47-30 loss to Arizona” »

About last night: A review of UCLA’s 27-23 win over Colorado

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (12) scrambles as he is tackled by UCLA Bruins linebacker Krys Barnes (14) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

It was far from pretty, but Saturday’s 27-23 win was exactly what UCLA needed going into its bye week.

The Bruins (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12) used 15-play, 79-yard drive that lasted more than six minutes in the fourth quarter to salt away a crucial conference victory and avoid a three-game losing streak.

Links to wrap up the game:

A more in-depth review of the game: Continue reading “About last night: A review of UCLA’s 27-23 win over Colorado” »

About last night: A review of UCLA’s 58-34 loss to Stanford

Stanford running back Bryce Love, right, runs past UCLA defensive lineman Chigozie Nnoruka (93) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

UCLA nearly conquered its Stanford mountain in 2016, but the Bruins took several steps backwards in the 2017 attempt, losing 58-34 at Stanford Stadium on Saturday.

With a chance to go up by two touchdowns, Theo Howard dropped a pass in the end zone and the ensuing field goal was blocked. The Bruins were at the Stanford 3-yard line and came away with no points. Then Stanford scored 17 straight in the next 6:32 to finish the half. The Cardinal went on to score on eight of their final drives with seven touchdowns.

“It just steam rolled,” head coach Jim Mora said. “It’s an incredibly disappointing feeling for all of us. These young men work so hard, this staff works so hard, and we were ready, we came out and we were playing well and then it just went the wrong way.”

Links to wrap up UCLA’s conference opener:

A more in-depth review of the game: Continue reading “About last night: A review of UCLA’s 58-34 loss to Stanford” »

About last night: A review of UCLA’s 48-45 loss to Memphis

UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles against Memphis in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

UCLA fell to 2-1 after losing a 48-45 shootout at Memphis at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The Bruins had a chance to win or tie on their final drive after a failed fake field goal attempt from Memphis, but they stalled near midfield. Memphis dialed up pressure and Josh Rosen was nearly intercepted on first-and-10. Rosen missed his next three passes, including the fourth-down attempt to Darren Andrews.

The UCLA defense gave up a season-high 560 yards and six passing touchdowns to Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson. Opponents are averaging 515.3 yards per game and 6.2 yards per play against UCLA through three games.

Links to recap the action from UCLA’s nonconference finale:

A more in-depth review of the game: Continue reading “About last night: A review of UCLA’s 48-45 loss to Memphis” »