UCLA Bruins Unable to Kill Ducks' Passing Game, Lose 34-31

The Bruin offense struggled for much of the game, allowing Oregon to go on a 34-3 run in the second and third quarters.

UCLA was held to just 110 yards rushing and the Bruin offense was held scoreless in the third quarter. (Photo Credit: Scott Chandler/uclabruins.com)

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The UCLA defense held Oregon to 121 yards rushing. That's probably the best thing I can say about the defense. That’s because the Bruin defense also gave up a season-high 296 yards passing to Anthony Brown.

The offense started off the game by opening up a quick 14-point lead. On the opening drive, UCLA used a mixture of runs and passes to drive 75 yards over 5:15 and Brittain Brown took it in from the one, giving the Bruins the lead.

When the Ducks got the ball back, they drove down to the UCLA 34-yard line, but the Bruins held and the Ducks were unsuccessful on their fourth down conversion. It was a good start for the defense.

Though that stop was essentially nullified when Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw an interception on the very next play.

Again, the defense held. This time, they forced the Ducks to punt quickly and Martell Irby was able to block the punt to give the Bruins the ball on Oregon's 30.

Four plays later, Thompson-Robinson found Kazmeir Allen for a four-yard touchdown.

From that point forward, the Ducks scored 34 points to just three for the Bruins. That field goal came right at the end of the first half, giving UCLA a 17-14 lead at the break.

However, Oregon was just getting started. In the third quarter, they scored twice to re-take the lead for good.

The Ducks took the opening drive of the second half 75 yards right down the field for the 21-17 lead. Following bad snap on a punt,, Bruin punter Luke Akers fumbled and Oregob recovered. Four plays later, the Ducks led by 10, 27-17.

The Bruina couldn't capitalize on Oregon's mistakes. While they recovered a fumble on the Ducks' 30, UCLA came away with no points. In fact, rather than trying a long field goal on fourth and 18 from Oregon's 38, Chip Kelly opted to go for it instead.

This was UCLA's second blown scoring opportunity. Nicolas Barr-Mira has missed a 35-yard attempt in the second quarter.

A field goal attempt, or even a coffin corner punt, would have been better choices here considering the fact that DR'S pass accuracy was terrible all game and his pass wasn't able to be caught by the receiver he threw to.

In fact, the Bruin offense was unable to do much of anything in the third quarter and it hurt.

Finally, they managed to end the Ducks’ 34-3 run after a 75-yard drive that was capped by a 2-yard run by DTR.

On the ensuing drive, Anthony Brown had a pass picked off by Jordan Genmark-Heath to give UCLA the ball on the Ducks’ 20.

It took the Bruins six plays and nearly three minutes to move 19 of those 20 yards before Brown scored from the one.

That left UCLA down 34-31 and while they got the ball back, they weren't able to score. With a minute and 23 seconds left, DTR got hit hard and Ethan Garbers had to come in to try to finish the Bruin rally. He was able to move UCLA from their own 39 to the Oregon 39, almost in field goal range for one last try, but Barr-Mira never got the chance to tie the game due to the fact that Garbers threw an interception and the Ducks ran the clock out.

UCLA heads to Utah next week for a Pac-12 South game against the Utes.


Go Bruins.

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