BERKELEY, Calif. “”mdash; California has not beaten an FBS opponent this season but leads UCLA after one half of play at Memorial Stadium 16-7.
UCLA entered Saturday’s game ranked in the top 25 in turnover margin. Two costly first-half turnovers, however, allowed the Golden Bears to claim their first lead over an FBS opponent at home this season.
Freshman quarterback-turned-wide receiver Devin Fuller had his redshirt burned when he entered the game on a play where redshirt freshman quarterback Brett Hundley threw him a backward pass early in the second quarter. Fuller let the ball slip through his outstretched arms, allowing Cal sophomore linebacker Nick Forbes to scoop up the live ball. The Golden Bears capitalized with a 67-yard touchdown drive to take the lead.
After a missed field goal by freshman kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, freshman running back Steven Manfro muffed a punt allowing Cal’s redshirt freshman linebacker Nathan Broussard to recover, setting up a short field for California to score another touchdown ““ on an eight-yard pass from redshirt senior quarterback Zach Maynard to junior wide receiver Keenan Allen ““ to further its lead.
On the Bruins’ last possession of the half, Hundley and redshirt junior receiver Shaquelle Evans miscommunicated on a route to the end zone, leading to yet another UCLA turnover as Cal intercepted Hundley’s pass.
Compiled by Sam Strong, Bruin Sports senior staff.