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:
- Recap: Chip Kelly got a personal look at his next rebuilding project
- First-half notebook: Josh Rosen forced to miss what could be his final UCLA game due to concussion concerns
- Game GIFs: Disappointment, relief and excitement
- Video interviews
- On Kansas State
- From the Topeka Capital-Journal: Skylar Thompson looked like a star. Then Alex Delton stole the spotlight in the Cactus Bowl.
- From the Wichita Eagle: It was an ideal matchup for Delton.
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” »