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Arizona Vs UCLA: The Bruins Finally Find Some Defense In A Win Over The Wildcats

By Mike Regalado

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The first half was exactly what we have seen from the #25 UCLA Bruins (7-2, 4-2) in the last several games, but some how managed to put together a total defensive effort for over three quarters as they beat the #14 Arizona Wildcats (6-2, 3-2) 17-7 in front of a packed Rose Bowl Stadium on Homecoming. Arizona Vs UCLA was not pretty, but it was another effort in which the Bruins did not give up, even after another horrible start to the game.

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    • The Bruins were once again a penalty laden-mess as they committed 11 for 118 yards, nine of which were in the first half, which allowed them to do very little to start this game. Fortunately, the UCLA defense showed up at the right time to stop Arizona’s high-powered attack and shut them out in three quarters to get the much needed victory .

    The first half, specifically the first quarter, was unbearable to watch for Bruin fans. In the first drive of the game, the Bruins managed to stop the drive on third down… twice. Both of those efforts were nullified as Myles Jack was called for penalties on both stops, one for unsportsmanlike conduct and the other for a face-mask. With Arizona able to continue their drive, QB Anu Soloman was able to find WR Cayleb Jones in the end zone to start the scoring as Arizona went up 7-0. Lucky for Bruin fans, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich finally stepped up and put some excellent pressure on the Wildcats and did not allow another score the rest of the game. For just over 56, the Bruins had shut out the Wildcats.

    UCLA had limited Arizona to 175 yards passing after the Wildcats averaged 326.8 yards a game. The Bruins additionally extinguished a team the that racking up over 36 points per game. If the Bruins ever needed a defensive statement game, this was it.

    Nov 1, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Paul Perkins (24) gets the hand-off from quarterback Brett Hundley (17) during the first quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

    As for the offense, it seemed to be a right mess from the beginning. The lack of imagination from offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone and the indecisiveness of Brett Hundley limited the attack of the Bruins who could only muster 3 points in the first half. That was in addition to another missed field goal attempt by Ka’imi Fairbairn as he missed a 37-yard kick.

    It was that kind of night for UCLA.

    Although Hundley’s ability to pass the ball around was limited, he still managed to throw for 189 yards, but it was his legs that were in prime condition as the third-year QB ran for 131 yards, several of those attempts in which he ran for first down when the rest of the offense had nothing to offer. Hundley was also able to throw a touchdown pass which tied Cade McNown for most ever by a Bruin QB with 68.

    In addition, Paul Perkins continued to show his skill as a go-to running back as he ran for 78 yards and a touchdown.

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    Overall, the offense improved in the second half and was able to salvage a win, but it was the defense that stepped up big for a team that had struggled at the Rose Bowl this year. On the Wildcat’s second-to-last drive, Arizona had finally put a decent drive together that was threatening the Bruin’s 17-7 lead. The UCLA defense managed to stop Arizona on three red zone attempts as the Wildcats had to settle for a field goal attempt. But even that was ruined by UCLA as Eric Kendricks blocked the kick and ended Arizona’s hopes. Tahaan Goodman had solidified the win on the Wildcat’s final drive as he intercepted the ball at mid-field with less than a minute to go. The Bruins only had to kneel to run out the clock.

    It was finally a “satisfying” win for the Bruins as they not only got a victory in convincing fashion, but beat a Top 25 team, are now 7-2 and stay in the hunt for the Pac-12 South Division. With three games left, it will definitely be a race to the finish. UCLA has a game at Washington next week, followed by two at the Rose Bowl against USC and Stanford.

    Go Bruins!