In current yrs, the Bruins may have missing their showdown with the Utes on Saturday.
UCLA experienced shed their last five matchups with Utah, with the Utes’ margin of victory in the final 4 averaging out to 32 factors for each game. And soon after their major win in excess of a rated LSU staff in 2021, they lost to Fresno Point out a 7 days later on.
So with the Bruins up by just three in the fourth quarter, a week taken off from a acquire more than then-No. 15 Washington that shot them into the prime 25 on their own, a lot of jaded enthusiasts wouldn’t be blamed for assuming a collapse was just in excess of the horizon.
But these are not the Bruins of old, seemingly.
No. 18 UCLA soccer (6-, 3- Pac-12) did extra than cling on to its lead, pouring on the factors to defeat No. 11 Utah (4-2, 2-1 Pac-12) by a score of 42-32 at the Rose Bowl. This marks the initially time the Bruins have begun 6- because 2005, and they are one particular of just 13 undefeated Electrical power 5 teams remaining.
UCLA’s offense was buzzing essentially from commence to end, scoring six touchdowns in a 7-push span just after opening the game with again-to-again punts. The star duo of quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and working back again Zach Charbonnet fueled the offense during that extend, putting up gaudy and productive numbers en route to the runaway acquire.
Thompson-Robinson finished the day with 299 yards and four passing touchdowns on 178.3% completion and a 236.2 passer rating. The twin-risk veteran also extra 17 yards and a score on the floor, producing plays in each way he could.
Even right after just one of his most important blunders of the working day – an ill-recommended intentional grounding correct soon after the Utes designed it a a few-point sport in the fourth quarter – he strike receiver Logan Loya for a 70-yard touchdown that gave the Bruins some a great deal-essential coverage.
Scroll to Go on
Mentor Chip Kelly made the decision to go for it on fourth down within of field objective vary with fewer than a minute remaining, and Thompson-Robinson did end up throwing a choose six on the questionable engage in contact. While it did not make much of an affect on the video game, it did stop Thompson-Robinson’s streak of 155 straight attempts with out a pick.
Charbonnet, in the meantime, went for chunk perform just after chunk perform before sooner or later crawling his way to 198 yards on the day. The former Michigan transfer required just 22 carries to get there, thanks in substantial section to his gains of 44 and 49 yards.
The Bruins’ offense stayed on the discipline for just three sets of downs on their 1st two drives, failing to get previous their own 30-garden line on equally situations. From there, while, they ended up almost best, and the defense did its work to keep up on the other conclude as nicely.
Quarterback Cameron Climbing did not pass for a landing, and managing back Tavion Thomas was restricted to just 12 yards in the 2nd 50 percent. The Bruins forced an interception and a fumble, also introducing a pair of sacks versus the bodily Utah front.
It wasn’t a best match for UCLA, while, due to the fact kicker Nicholas Barr-Mira missed a chip shot field target toward the end of the 2nd quarter. And regardless of all of the offensive good results, the Utes weren’t heading absent – at least, until eventually linebacker Darius Muasau pressured a fumble that cornerback Jaylin Davies returned all the way to the 1-property line.
But this UCLA workforce was not going to choke absent the guide down the stretch, and the workforce is now riding larger than it has in an overall era after taking care of small business in opposition to the reigning Pac-12 champions.
The Bruins will be on a bye future weekend, then choose the trip to Eugene to deal with No. 12 Oregon on Oct. 22.
Abide by Connon on Twitter at @SamConnon
Comply with All Bruins on Twitter at @FN_AllBruins
Like All Bruins on Fb at @FN.AllBruins
Subscribe to All Bruins on YouTube
Read through much more UCLA tales: UCLA Bruins on Sports Illustrated
Read additional UCLA soccer stories: UCLA Football on Sports Illustrated
More Stories
Ashwagandha’s Impact on Cortisol Levels in Stressed People
Health care cyberattack ‘likely one of the worst,’ expert says
Accessing Medicinal Cannabis in the UK: A Comprehensive Guide