Pac-12 Championship Score Update: UCLA Football Trails Stanford 17-14

Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

After UCLA’s offense exploded in the first half, the Stanford rallied to score ten unanswered points to take a 17-14 lead.

UCLA set the tone early, with Johnathan Franklin scoring some big runs on the Bruins’ first two possessions, both of which culminated in scores. In between was a Stanford touchdown off of a Kevin Hogan bootleg.

UCLA led 14-7 in the second quarter and was driving downfield once more to take a 21-7 lead, but Stanford defensive back Ed Reynolds picked off an ill-advised pass from UCLA QB Brett Hundley, eventually leading to a Stanford touchdown. Hundley’s interception came just one play after Johnathan Franklin had his helmet ripped off by Stanford’s Shayne Skov.

The second quarter was a defensive one, though, with teams trading three-and-outs for much of it. Before time expired, Stanford was able to drive down field and notch in a 37-yard field goal to put the Cardinal up 17-14.

Of note was the players’ inability to stay upright, with the rainy weather soaking Stanford Stadium’s grass surface. As a result, UCLA’s Johnathan Franklin, Jordon James and Devin Fuller were all victims to the surface, slipping on what could have been major yardage while out in open space.

The Bruins will have to climb uphill to beat the Cardinal from here on out; UCLA’s only three losses all season saw the Bruins trailing at the halfway mark. UCLA has never won a game in which they are the losing team heading into the second half.

It could be a wild one, so watch out.