In a high-powered offensive showdown, No. 8 California avenged
its heartbreaking loss to USC one week ago with a 45-28 win over
UCLA on Saturday.
The scoring started early, as the Bears drove 69 yards on the
first drive of the game to take an early 7-0 lead. The drive
culminated with a 20-yard Geoff McArthur touchdown reception from
quarterback Aaron Rodgers. It was the first of two McArthur
touchdown receptions on the evening and one of four touchdowns
thrown by Rodgers, who passed for 260 yards.
The Bruin defense, which has struggled throughout the season,
was unable to stop a potent Bears offense in crucial situations.
Cal (4-1, 2-1 Pac-10) converted both of its fourth down attempts in
the game and went 5 of 12 on third down plays. The Bears exploited
the Bruins’ beleaguered run defense, gaining 290 yards on the
ground.
Meanwhile, the Bruins’ rushing attack, considered the
team’s strength, got off to a very sluggish start, picking up
only six yards in the first quarter. Although the Bruin offense got
off to a stagnant start, the unit mounted a comeback at the end of
the half, scoring two touchdowns within a minute of each other to
knot the score at 14-14 with three minutes left in the half.
Down by two touchdowns early in the third quarter again, the
Bruins (4-2, 2-1) appeared poised to make another comeback midway
through the third quarter as well, marching inside the Bears’
15-yard line. However, needing one yard for a first down, the
Bruins failed to convert on runs up the middle on both third and
fourth downs, hampering their best scoring opportunity of the
quarter.
The two teams combined to score 31 points in the fourth quarter,
but most of those came after the outcome of the game was no longer
in jeopardy.
Compiled by Bruin Sports Senior Staff.