The Jim Mora regime didn’t take long to make a statement.
Mora and the UCLA Bruins started the 2012 season with a 49-24 win over the Rice Owls in Houston.
UCLA needed to shape up its defense in the second half to defeat Rice and so they did, allowing no points in the final 30 minutes of the game.
Although the Bruins increased their pressure and energy on defense in the second half, their offensive pace didn’t dip at all.
The Bruin offense was able to score with a variety of methods. In the third quarter, redshirt freshman quarterback Brett Hundley completed a four-yard touchdown pass to redshirt senior Y receiver Joe Fauria on fourth down. In the fourth quarter, redshirt senior running back Johnathan Franklin added to his huge game with a 22-yard touchdown run.
Franklin was the highlight of the game, with 214 yards rushing and three touchdowns, including a long touchdown run of 78 yards.
UCLA’s defensive line shined in the win, with seven sacks. Last season, the Bruin defense only registered 14 sacks over the course of the entire season.
Next Saturday, UCLA plays Nebraska in the Bruins’ home opener.
Compiled by Steven Covella, Bruin Sports senior staff