Fresno State will receive the ball to start the second half, and the Bulldogs also have a one point lead.
UCLA’s Kyle Bosworth is back at defensive end.
UCLA corner Michael Norris flagged for pass interference. Seems like Fresno State is picking on Norris.
Micah Reed has a sprained left knee and will not return.
Fresno State center Joe Bernardi injured his right leg and was replaced by back-up Richard Pacheco.
Another big return for Terrence Austin, this time for 65 yards. Austin has had a big day, even though he has only caught two receptions. He broke Theotis Brown’s record for most kick-off return yards in one game. That record was set in 1974.
Kevin Craft’s pass is tipped at the line of scrimmage by Cornell Banks. UCLA is now 1 for 7 on third down. On the next play Kai Forbath knocks through a 35 yard field goal. Fresno State 23, UCLA 22.
Fresno State third down and twelve from the UCLA 15 yard line, and the Rose Bowl is about as loud as you’ll hear it in any game besides USC-UCLA.
UCLA could have declined a holding penalty and forced Fresno State into a fourth and twelve. Instead the Bruins accepted the penalty, and Fresno State made the most of its second chance, scoring on a 22-yard screen pass to runningback Ryan Matthews. That call and the decision to try on fourth and short in the red-zone have caused a seven point swing in the Bulldogs’ favor.
Fresno State just converted a first down on a short, five-yard pass to Rashad Evans. It looked like UCLA corner Alterraun Verner gave Evans too much of a cushion, allowing for a simple completion on third down. Verner made a similar mistake multiple times when he was matched up against BYU’s Austin Collie two weeks ago in Provo, Utah. UCLA lost that game 59-0.
Brian Price blocked Fresno State’s extra point attempt, and Bret Locket scooped and returned it for a two-point score. Fresno State leads, 36-24.
Brian Price has blocked a kick, intercepted a pass, blocked for a touchdown run, and fulfilled his usual role of defensive tackle today, and it’s still the third quarter.
That’s all for our blog today. Check back at dailybruin.com for plenty of coverage, or see Monday’s print edition.