UCLA rallies in the fourth quarter to take down No. 13 Washington State 25-17
Keegan Jones had a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, UCLA's defense forced four turnovers and the Bruins rallied for a 25-17 victory over No. 13 Washington State on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
Carson Steele added 140 yards on 30 carries and Dante Moore completed 22 of 44 passes for 290 yards with a touchdown and interception as the Bruins (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) got back on track after their loss two weeks ago at Utah.
Washington State's Cameron Ward came into the game third nationally in passing yards per game (347.2 yards), but had his worst games in two seasons. The junior was under pressure most of the day and completed only 19 of 39 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown.
UCLA's defense sacked Ward three times along with six QB hurries. Ward also threw his first two interceptions of the season. Washington State (4-1, 1-1) went three-and-out on eight of its 16 possessions and was held to 216 total yards.
The Bruins also converted the four takeaways into 16 points (two touchdowns and a field goal).
Jones didn't get a carry until late in the third quarter, but his last two rushes resulted in touchdowns. The senior had a 13-yard run up the left sideline to put UCLA on top 18-17 just 92 seconds into the fourth quarter. After Oluwafemi Oladjedo picked off Ward on the first play of the ensuing drive, Jones scored four plays later from 22 yards out to make it an eight-point lead.
It is only the second time Ward has completed less than half of his passes in two seasons at Washington State.
Moore struggled early as both of his first-half interceptions led to Washington State points. The freshman was picked off on the opening drive and had a Pick-6 for the second straight game.
Dean Janikowski's 32-yard field goal gave the Cougars a 3-0 lead. Washington State had a short field after Sam Lockett III picked off Moore's pass intended for J. Michael Sturdivant and returned it 25 yards to the Bruins 19.
The Bruins appeared to be on the verge of scoring right before halftime, but Kepena Gushiken jumped up for an interception as Moore was trying to throw a flare pass to T.J. Harden and returned it 88 yards down the left sideline with 7 seconds remaining to put Washington State up 10-9 at halftime.
After Janikowski's field goal, UCLA scored nine straight points to take the lead. Moore lofted an 11-yard pass to Logan Loya, who caught it in the back right corner of the end zone with 11:31 remaining in the second quarter, but R.J. Lopez was wide right on the extra point. The Bruins extended their advantage to 9-3 with 90 seconds left in the first half when Lopez split the uprights from 37 yards.
Lopez's second field goal — a 32-yarder — helped UCLA regain a 12-10 advantage midway through the third quarter. One play earlier, Moore appeared to throw his second TD of the game when Sturdivant made a diving 14-yard catch, but it was reversed after a replay review.
The Cougars answered on their next drive as Ward beat UCLA's blitz with a 9-yard screen pass to Nakia Watson to give Washington State a 17-12 lead.
THE TAKEAWAY
Washington State: Ward was only the fifth quarterback for a Power Five school since 1996 to throw for over 1,300 yards, at least 13 touchdowns and no interceptions in his team's first four games, but opposing defenses the rest of the season will study the UCLA film to see how they neutralized him.
UCLA: The Bruins finally have a defense that can take over games for the first time in Chip Kelly's six seasons in Westwood.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Washington State will take a tumble, while UCLA could be back in the rankings after a two-week hiatus.
UP NEXT
Washington State: Hosts Arizona next Saturday.
UCLA: Travels to No. 15 Oregon State next Saturday.
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