Keep it Lasley, Bruins — UCLA’s much-maligned Defense gives up 584 yards, but gets a Pick Six and holds the ASU Offense without a TD after Halftime, while Josh Rosen hooks up with Jordan Lasley for 162 yards and the game-winning Touchdown in an entertaining 44-37 barn-burner that keeps the Bruins perfect AT HOME
It’s been a tough season, which may get worse in a week, but in the confines of the Rose Bowl, the Bruins are now a perfect 5-0 after Saturday night’s thrilling 44-37 come-from-behind victory over Arizona State. The Bruins fell behind 14-0 early, before a Nate Meadors Pick Six got the Bruins off the mat. UCLA was still down at Halftime 21-20, and the game was tied in the 4th quarter at 34, before a 22-yard TD strike from Josh Rosen to Jordan Lasley gave the Bruins a lead they would never relinquish.
Rosen threw for 381 yards and that TD, and also ran for a TD. The Bruins ran for 2 other TD’s, and converted 3 Field Goals. As usual, the Offense was not the problem. Meanwhile, the Bruin DEFENSE got shredded again, giving up 294 Rushing Yards and 290 Passing Yards. But the Defense put 7 points on the board, and got stronger later, keeping the Sun Devils out of the end zone in the Second Half. The only ASU TD of the Second Half came on a blocked punt, which tied the game at 34 late in the 3rd.
The question now, is how will that Defense fare against sc next week? The trojans are liable to run for 400 yards, but if the Bruins stack the box, Darnold will throw for 400. Perhaps Rosen can keep UCLA in the game with his arm, but it seems highly unlikely. Then again, anything can happen in a Rivalry game. And even if the outcome is a tragic one, the Bruins can still bounce back, beat Cal the following week, finishing the season with a perfect 6-0 record at home, and earn a spot in a low-level Bowl game. That, at least, would be an improvement over last year. Of course without Rosen next year, prepare for a regression.
So let’s just enjoy the latest bounce-back victory over the Devils, which I was lucky enough to attend, thanks to an early Saturday work schedule. Unfortunately, I missed the tailgating and pregame rally, and the first 7 minutes of the game, but I did get to see UCLA put 44 points on the board, and I got a few shots of part of the Dance Team — the ones who weren’t in China. And speaking of China, I am not going to speak about China… at least not until the FACTS emerge from behind all the rumors. And if someone is proven guilty, I hope they are thrown off the team and that they leave the school.
Let’s instead focus on some photos — Here are 54 more from Saturday night.
