They did it! Albeit through a lot of heart-stopping moments, UCLA (10-3, 6-3) beat Kansas State (9-4, 7-2) in what was a second half comeback from the Wildcats who outscored the Bruins 29-9 in the second half. Still, it was a fiery Bruin squad that pushed through and got the 40-35 win in the end for UCLA’s first back-to-back 10-win season since 1998.
Valero Alamo Bowl
Kansas State 35 – UCLA 40
UCLA Bruins
If you did not catch halftime post, UCLA leads 31-6 At Halftime, here is a quick breakdown: The Bruins used an excellent plan of new schemes to keep Kansas State at bay on offense as the Bruins scored 31 points, but the story of the half was the Bruin’s defense. K-State had several good drives but were left to field goals. The momentum was all Bruin.
The third quarter, the most successful for the Bruins this season, saw UCLA get silenced as they were outscored, 15-3. UCLA seemed to take their foot off the gas at the same time K-State started to bounce back, and it made for one entertaining bowl game.
Jan 2, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Jake Waters (15) warms up before the 2015 Valero Alamobowl against the UCLA Bruins at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas State had an impressive seven and a half minute drive that wore down the Bruins to start the second half. The Wildcats had exploited a weakness, but not without the help of some repetition from the Bruins. UCLA once again had an issue with penalties. They committed 15 for 128 yards. One of those got the attention of head coach Jim Mora.
Things looked like they were falling apart for the Bruins as KSU QB Jake Waters ran in a one-yard touchdown to bring the game to within eight as UCLA only lead 38-24 with five minutes left. Luckily the Bruins had Paul Perkins.
Six plays into the next drive, Perkins, THE PAC-12 LEADING RUSHER, busted through a whole on the left side of the line that had him seeing nothing but open field as he rushed for a 67-yard touchdown. He finished with 194 yards and 2 touchdowns. UCLA was up 40-28.
Jan 2, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Paul Perkins (24) runs after a catch during the second half of the 2015 Alamo Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at Alamodome. The Bruins won 40-35. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Though K-State scored once more from the Jake Waters to Tyler Lockett connection, it was in the end not enough as the Bruins held them off for the victory. Waters had finished with 338 yards through the air. Lockett had 164 receiving yards with 2 touchdowns.
Although the Bruins had trouble containing the Wildcat’s passing game, UCLA had no trouble getting at the quarterback as they sacked Waters seven times. There was also some post-game drama regarding a formation and a handshake.
So that is it! UCLA ends with another 10-win season. Brett Hundley, who had 136 passing yards and 96 rushing yards, goes out a winner. Eric Kendricks, one of the best defenders in UCLA history, goes out a winner. And the entire Bruin Family goes out a winner, Go Bruins!
Jan 2, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Jim Mora (right) and quarterback Brett Hundley embrace in the final minute against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2015 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. UCLA defeated Kansas State 40-35. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports