The UCLA football team had all that it asked for: possession of
the ball in the fourth quarter with an opportunity to beat No. 1
USC.
But quarterback Drew Olson’s pass with under a minute
remaining was intercepted by USC’s Jason Leach, preserving a
hard-fought 29-24 victory for the Trojans on Saturday at the Rose
Bowl.
With the win, the Trojans (12-0) made it six straight over the
Bruins (6-5) and are virtually assured an appearance in the Orange
Bowl to compete for the national championship.
The game, in which USC never trailed, featured several
spectacular individual performances, most notably that of Trojan
sophomore Reggie Bush.
The running back gave Heisman Trophy voters something to
remember when they cast their ballot in the coming days, rushing
for a career-high 204 yards on 15 carries – most coming on a
65-yard touchdown run on the game’s second play and an 81-yard
touchdown sprint midway through the second quarter.
But the Bruins had an explosive playmaker of their own. Down
10-0 and having done nothing on offense, receiver Craig Bragg
returned a punt 96 yards for a touchdown, a new school record, to
bring UCLA back into the game.
On the very next possession, the Bruins blocked Trojan punter
Tom Malone’s punt in USC territory, but were unable to
capitalize on the turnover when placekicker Justin Medlock missed a
39-yard field goal.
While the Bruins attempted to scratch their way back into the
game in the second half, USC placekicker Ryan Killeen was always
there to give the Trojans a lift, tying a school record by making
all five of his field goals on the day.
UCLA was limited to a season-low 19 yards rushing, and was never
able to develop an offensive rhythm against a swarming USC
defense.
The Bruins will now either head to the Insight Bowl or the Las
Vegas Bowl to conclude their season.
Compiled by Bruin sports senior staff. Full coverage on
Monday, December 6.