UCLA Overcomes 32 Point 2nd Half Deficit In Wacky Win at Washington State

The first three weeks of UCLAs and Washington State’s college football seasons were polar opposites of each other. The Bruins lost their first three games while the Cougars won all three of theirs. Washington State was also ranked 19th in the country going into the September 21st home game against UCLA.

The game started off in a not unusual fashion, with UCLA leading 10-7 after the 1st quarter. After that, the points started coming in bunches. And didn’t stop, as the defenses of both teams went missing in action. Washington State scored four touchdowns in the second quarter, while UCLA could manage only one, and it was 35-17 Cougars at the end of the first half.

Washington State picked up right where they left off with two touchdowns to start the third quarter, making it 49-17 with 6:52 to go in the quarter. The Cougars were used to running up big scores; they won their season opener over New Mexico State 58-7 and then trounced and FCS school, Northern Colorado 59-17 the next week (they beat Houston by a more conventional 31-24 for their third win of the season).

Perhaps Washington State became overconfident, or maybe UCLA had the Cougars right where they wanted them. The Bruins began a comeback, scoring three touchdowns in less than 3 1/2 minutes, and it was 49-38 Cougars at the end of the third quarter.

UCLA opened the fourth quarter scoring with a touchdown followed by a two point conversion, making it 49-46. Washington State finally scored again after executing a nine play, 75 yard drive and scoring a touchdown to make it 56-46 with 10:08 left. UCLA came back with two touchdowns in less than two minutes, including one on a 69 yard punt return that gave the Bruins their first lead since the first quarter, at 60-56. And there was still 7:31 left in the fourth quarter.

Washington State came right back, scoring a minute and 20 seconds later on a 65 yard touchdown pass to regain the lead at 63-60. It looked like that might hold up, but UCLA scored on another touchdown pass with 1:07 to play. Somehow, no one scored after that, and UCLA pulled a 67-63 upset over Washington State in a memorable first win of the season for the Bruins.

The numbers in this game were off the charts. Washington State quarterback Anthony Gordon threw nine touchdown passes–and lost. He had 570 passing yards. UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson had five touchdown passes and 507 passing yards. Despite all the passing, each team did run the ball for 150 yards on the ground. UCLA had 657 total yards and Washington State had 720. Each had 28 first downs. But the big difference was turnovers. UCLA had one, an interception, while Washington State had six; two interceptions and four fumbles.

UCLA will be at Arizona on September 28th, while Washington State will be at #19 Utah. The Utes were ranked #10 in the country going into their game at USC on the 21st and were upset 30-24. Utah dropped to #19 following the loss; USC (3-1) moved up to 21st, and Washington State dropped out of the Top 25.