Jerry’s World: Brett Hundley Goes Down As Jerry Neuheisel Rises To Victory Over Texas

Sep 13, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Jerry Neuheisel (11) celebrates on top of his teammates shoulders after a victory against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium. The Bruins beat the Longhorns 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The UCLA Bruins visited Jerry’s World, but it was not the Jerry you would think as back-up quarterback Jerry Neuheisel willed the Bruins to a victory after Brett Hundley goes down early in the game. Despite, the noble effort from Texas, the UCLA Bruins found a way to overcome the loss of their Heisman hopeful QB to hang on for the win. Here is how it went down…

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UCLA did not do well on their first and second drives and were full of penalties. Brett Hundley was not able to do much, but you saw that the gears were moving. The defense looked good stopping Texas on their first run, but it got tougher as the game went on, especially when Hundley went down after awkwardly falling on his left elbow going for the first down. He was out for the remainder of the game and Jerry Neuheisel came in. The UCLA faithful cringed in unison.

When Neuheusel came in, they started well with the run, but stalled inside the 40. That is when Ka’imi Fairbairn hit, shockingly, a 47-yard field goal. UCLA went up 3-0.

On their first drive of the second quarter, Texas was stopped just inside field goal range. The UCLA defense was not looking good, but they held as Texas settled for a field goal. The game was tied 3-3.

On next drive, things did not start well as UCLA did not get past the 50 as the offense stalled badly. On 3 and long, Neu was sacked with zero protection.

Texas then lead a drive that was uglier than a longhorn’s back side. At the 30 yard line, they converted a 4 and 8 for a first and goal. Whatever game plan defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich had, was clearly not working. The Bruins would stop Texas just enough for the Longhorns to do something brilliant on the next play. That happened when Tyrone Swoopes connected with John Harris for a beautiful touchdown pass that sailed over the heads of every Bruin on defense. Texas went up 10-3.

UCLA then tried to do something on their seemingly last drive of the half, punting on 4th down with 43 seconds left. Texas then ran into punter Matt Mengel for the second time on the game, this time apparently injuring him. UCLA got the ball back, but unfortunately, they did nothing with it. That is how the first half was summed up. It was 10-3 Texas at the half.

Sep 13, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) celebrates with running back Paul Perkins (24) at the end of the game agains the Texas Longhornsduring the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. UCLA beat Texas 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Because of a deferred decision by Texas, UCLA received the ball at the beginning of the second. That is all they needed as the marched down the field on a Paul Perkins 58-yard rush. The Bruins then connected when Neuheisel hit fullback Nate Iese in the end zone for the score. Bruins tied it at 10.

The defense does have to be commended as they stepped up big time, stopping Texas on their next three series. The only thing was, Texas was holding UCLA as well. The Bruins, albeit a lot more creative, could do nothing to get the ball to the end zone. The 3rd ended as the second, tied 10-10.

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UCLA had no chose but to force the run, which was not there in the previous two games. They had several good pushes for Paul Perkins (who ended with 126 yards) and the power formation that included Myles Jack and Eddie Vanderdoes. UCLA ended with 217 yards of offense on the ground. Anyway, a pass interference penalty kept the drive alive on 3rd down for UCLA and the drive alive. UCLA powered down to the 15, but settled for a field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn. UCLA was up 13-10.

On the next drive, Texas did some pushing of their own. They went 80 yards for the score to put them up 17-13. Swoopes did not look like a back-up QB as he orchestrated a beauty of a drive that crushed the Bruin faithful… but it was not over.

UCLA had another chance… but fumbled. Luckily, the Bruins quickly made them go three and out.

Sep 13, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Payton (9) celebrates making a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Then the amazing happened. UCLA was definitely in Jerry’s World, but not the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, but the UCLA back-up quarterback. On a crucial drive within five minutes, Neuheisel connected with Jordan Payton for the 33-yard touchdown strike which put UCLA up 20-17. Neuheisel finished with 178 yards and his first two touchdown passes of his career.

Texas had a final chance, but were stopped by a swarming Bruin defense. The Bruins got the ball back and that is how it ended! The synergy that UCLA produced showed that there is a lot more than meets the eye with the Bruins.

If you were looking for a satisfying win, there you go Bruin fans. UCLA, without their starting QB, did the impossible. They ended with a balanced game that saw them with 226 passing yards and 217 rushing. It was not pretty, but it is a “W”.

Go Bruins!