The UCLA Football team defeated the #20 California Golden Bears 40-24 in a must win game for the Bruins. After a two-game losing streak, the Bruins showed their dominance, but not without more injuries.
UCLA Football needed a game like this after consecutive losses to Arizona State and Stanford. Though the Bruins started the game to a half full Rose Bowl (good job with scheduling Pac-12) , they managed to put together a solid effort on offense, defense and special teams.
Not only did the Bruins man-handle the Bears, but it was a night for records. Josh Rosen broke the record for most completions in a game as he went 34 for 47 throwing for 399 yards and three touchdowns. The Bruin offense looked as efficient as it did against Virginia and UNLV as they were clicking on all cylinders.
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Paul Perkins was once again back to his old form as he collected 73 yards and averaged 6.6 yards per carry. The unfortunate thing was that he had left the game late in the first half with an apparent leg injury and did not return.
Two Bruin receivers had hit the 100 yard mark as Thomas Duarte had 141 receiving yards and 1 TD while Devin Fuller hit an even 100 with 2 touchdowns to his name.
Kicker Ka’Imi Fairbairn had also broken a UCLA record as he hit a 60-yard field goal with time winding down in the first half. It was initially suppose to be a 55-yard attempt but a Bruin penalty pushed him back a few yards. No matter, Fairbairn was up for the challenge and nailed it with room to spare.
Now we also have to give it up to the Bruin defense. Even though they allowed Cal QB Jared Goff to throw 295 yards, UCLA essentially shut down the Golden Bears, only allowing 10 points through the first half. Throughout the game, UCLA had constantly forced the Bears to punt and were never really a huge threat in this game which was incredible to see as they have been hit with a ton of injuries.
But the injuries did not stop as LB Isaako Savaiinaea, one of the most important pieces of the Bruin defense as of late, also left the game with an injury. Head Coach Jim Mora said in his post-game presser that “they’re not good” when asked about the Perkins and Savaiinaea injuries.
So now UCLA Football has two extra days to prepare for they next contest which is on Saturday, October 31 at noon against Colorado. The Bruins get into a lighter stretch of three games against the Buffs, Oregon State and Washington State before ending the season away from the Rose Bowl at Utah and then USC.