UCLA Football Beats Arizona State In A Thriller, 45-43

October 27, 2012; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins kicker Ka

UCLA football: Where heart attacks happen.

The UCLA Bruins pulled out a thrilling road conference win against Arizona State, beating the Sun Devils on a last-second, 33-yard field goal by true freshman — and oft-maligned — kicker Kai’mi Fairbairn.

The game started ominously for UCLA when Arizona State took a 14-0 lead in the first six minutes of the game. In the same quarter, however, UCLA scored two touchdowns of its own to tie the game up early, setting the stage for what would become a shoot-out in the desert.

UCLA would lead for most of the game after taking a 21-17 lead at the half, leading by as many as nine points in the third quarter. After the Bruins took a 35-26 lead, the Sun Devils rallied back to outscore UCLA 17-7, taking a 43-42 lead with a little over 90 seconds left in the game.

Brett Hundley proved to be the on-field leader fans expected, though, driving 60 yards in the final minute to set up a go-ahead Kai’mi Fairbairn field goal from 33 yards out.

With the win, the Bruins improve to 6-2 on the season and 3-2 in Pac-12 play, while Arizona State fell to 5-3 and 3-2 in Pac-12 play. As a result of the win, as well as a USC loss to Arizona, the Bruins sit  just a half-game back from the Trojans (6-2, 4-2 Pac-12).

UCLA plays Arizona in a crucial home game, which could further clarify the Pac-12 South title race.