UCLA Dominates USC 35-14

UCLA dominates USC 35-14. That is all you need to know. They went into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, after USC Interim Head Coach Ed Orgeron had “locked the gates”, and imposed their will on the recently hot Trojans. This game came down to one man, UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley. He led his team into a place the Bruins have not won in 16 years and he had them run all over the place. Simply, UCLA dominated USC.

The game started with some hot-tempered players unable to keep their cool. USC receiver Marqise Lee got in the face of three Bruins after what he perceived as some unwarranted extra-curricular activity after the play. Freshman lineman, Caleb Benenoch, looked to take a swing at Trojan defender, J.R. Tevai, and was promptly disqualified from the game. Two plays later, on a punt to USC, Trojan Kevin Seymour and Bruin Ishmael Adams got into a scuffle that got them both off-setting personal fouls. This rivalry game was hot, indeed.   After some nerves settled, UCLA and USC got back to playing actually football, but from the first score, it was all Bruins. UCLA’s first two scores were once again dialed in with the help of defensive players as Myles Jack and Eddie Vanderdoes smashed their way into the end zone on a 3-yard and a 1-yard run, respectively.   It was 14-0 when USC finally got on the board with their first drive early in the second quarter. Javorius Allen ran in a questionable 11-yard touchdown that on replay, looked as if he fumbled it before he crossed the plane of the goal. No official video replay was done and like that, it was 14-7. That was it for USC in the half.

The Trojans did manage to stop the Bruin’s offense in a crucial play that had the Bruins on fourth and one at the USC 12-yard line. Head coach Jim Mora called in the Jumbo package that had been so effective for the Bruins in recent weeks that included super two-way baller, Jack. The thing was, everyone watching this game knew it would go to Jack. As he ran up the middle, he was met by a wall of cardinal. Turnover, Bruins.

The second half was even more dominance. Not only did the offense score 21 points, but the defense only allowed 7. Brett Hundley took had the game of his career. His legs, the saving grace of his play as of late, helped him garner 80 yards with 2 TDs. His arm added 208 yards through the air. But what was most impressive is how he used his head. He released the ball faster, he found guys open and did not waste his time in the back field trying to make the “right” decision. His head was in the game and all over USC.

The defense did not let USC have anything. The linebackers had a field day with the Trojan offense. USC QB Cody Kessler did not have a bad game, as he threw for 174 yards and 1TD, but the Bruins did not let him have a great game. On consecutive plays, D-lineman Cassius Marsh got into the back field and sacked Kessler. On USC’s second to last drive of the game, Anthony Barr got into the backfield himself and sacked Kessler to cause a fumble, which was scooped up by none other than Marsh. Defense definitely won this “City Championship”.

This was a good win for Mora, Hundley and the gang as it top off a season with one of the tougher schedules in the Pac-12. The end their regular season 9-3, matching their win total from last year with one game to go. It is uncertain who UCLA will face and where in their bowl game, but make no mistake, the Bruins are on high.  Whoever their next opponent is, they will be in for a stern test.

Mike W.R.

Twitter: @TheBigDisco