The ninth-ranked UCLA Bruins remained undefeated this afternoon by beating the Michigan State Spartans by a score of 28-10. It’s the seventh straight win for the Bruins and UCLA is now 7-0 for the first time since 2005.
Things were a little concerning early when, on the Bruins’ first drive of the game, Anthony Woods fumbled and it was recovered by MSU’s Devin Vaught who returned it for 56 yards all the way down to the Bruin 15.
Two plays later, Kenneth Williams scored on a one-yard run to give the Spartans a 7-0 lead.
The Bruins’ next two drives both ended in punts.
On the second play of the Spartans’ first drive of the second quarter, Williams fumbled and Sammy Omosigho recovered the fumble on the MSU 19-yard line. Five plays later, Javian Thomas got UCLA on the board with a seven-yard touchdown run and Bhaghani’s PAT tied the game, 7-7.
UCLA moved the ball well on their next drive. On six plays, they went from their own 23 to the MSU 37, but on the seventh play of the drive, Jaivian Thomas fumbled and Vaught returned this one for 56 yards down to the Bruin 19-yard line, and it looked like the Spartans would capitalize again.
But on the second play of the drive, Donovyn Pellot picked off a pass from third-string quarterback Kayd Coffman, who started due to injuries to Spartan QBs Alessio Milivojevic and Cam Fancher. Pellot ran the interception back 67 yards to the Michigan State 21-yard line.
Five plays later, Wayne Knight scored UCLA’s second touchdown of the game from one yard out and the Bruins took a 14-7 lead into the locker room at the half.
It’s worth noting that Bruin fans held their collective breath on the Bruins’ final drive of the half when Ty Dieffenbach went down with what looked like a serious injury, but UCLA punted it away on fourth down and didn’t get the ball back until they received the second half kickoff.
UCLA’s first drive of the second half began on their own 25 following a touchback, and when the offense took the field Dieffenbach was out there with them. So, whatever the issue was at the end of the first half, it didn’t keep him from playing on UCLA’s next possession or any part of the second half.
In fact, as if to say “I’m OK,” Dieffenbach threw a beautiful 63-yard touchdown pass to Brian Rowe on the fourth play of that drive. The ball looked a little overthrown, but Rowe turned on his afterburners and grabbed at just the right time. It was one of UCLA’s longest touchdown passes of the season, and probably the prettiest. It gave the Bruins a comfortable 21-7 lead.
UCLA’s final score of the game came on their next drive following another Michigan State punt. This drive began on the Bruins’ 30-yard line and UCLA drove 70 yards on ten plays with Anthony Thomas joining Knight and Thomas with a rushing touchdown. This one came on a four-yard run.
From there, the Bruin defense took over. Forcing a pair of punts before finally giving up a field goal to the Spartans.
Overall, it was another outstanding defensive effort by the Bruin defense. Today, they allowed a total of 156 yards with 109 coming through the air and just 47 yards rushing. In fact, prior to Michigan State’s field goal drive in the fourth quarter, they had held the Spartans to just 89 yards total.
It was a very impressive effort by the defense which could easily be overlooked, but shouldn’t be because the defense has been doing such an outstanding job all season and they only seem to be getting better.
Offensively, Dieffenbach finished up going 18 of 31 for 198 yards and a touchdown. Brian Rowe led the receivers with three catches for 74 yards and a touchdown while Semaj Morgan had seven receptions for 70 yards.
Anthony Woods led the Bruin rushers with 112 yards on 14 carries while Knight managed to gain 56 yards on 15 carries.
UCLA’s next game will be next Saturday at the Rose Bowl against the Nevada Wolf Pack. Kickoff is set for 1:15 pm and the game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.
Go Bruins!!!
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Wisconsin leads $c 17-7. The reverse of last week's game with us.
7-23 now