UCLA Football: Halftime Report – Bruins defense keeping them in the game

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins during a timeout against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins during a timeout against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

We have gone through one half of the Oklahoma-UCLA football game and it has not exactly been the bloodbath we expected as the Bruins trail 21-7.

After 30 minutes, the UCLA football team was not bad. It was not great, but the young Bruins are playing an experienced Oklahoma squad. Not only have they hung with the Sooners, but the Bruins defense has made a lot of little statements as they have kept UCLA in this game.

RELATED: UCLA vs. Oklahoma – Game Day Info

After a three and out on their first drive, UCLA was able to stop Oklahoma on defense, forcing a punt which went for a touchback. So right there, a victory in and of itself.

UCLA stumbled a bit to start their second drive, and after a loss of yards, on 3rd and 16 QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson connected with TE Caleb Wilson for a 65-yard catch. That led to a 3-yard RB Bolu Olorunfunmi touchdown which put UCLA up on the board first, 7-0.

HALFTIME STATS

Oklahoma Yards: Total – 250 | Passing – 190 | Rushing – 60

UCLA Yards: Total – 133 | Passing – 108 | Rushing – 25

Oklahoma retaliated with an 85-yard kickoff return which put them on the 12-yard line. That directly led to RB Rodney Anderson 3-yard score and after the extra point, Oklahoma tied the game at 7. Unfortunately, Aderson injured his foot a few plays later and had to leave the game

Despite several good plays by the Bruins defense, they are still taking on a solid Oklahoma offense. QB Kyler Murray found WR Marquise Brown down the middle and turned a hook route into a 58-yard touchdown reception and the Sooner went up 14-7. That was not one of the Bruin defense’s highlights.

At the start of the second quarter, Murray ran the ball in from 10 on a keeper to extend OU’s lead, 21-7. Interestingly enough, that was the only Sooner score the Bruins allowed.

Schedule

Schedule