SALT LAKE CITY — UCLA football talked all week about not giving up the big play, something the Bruins hadn’t surrendered in their first three games.
While the Bruins didn’t quite stay consistent with their trend from the first three games of the season, they held their composure, scoring 14 straight in the second quarter to secure a 21-17 halftime lead.
On just its fourth defensive play, UCLA’s defense caved in a big way, missing two tackles to allow a 54-yard touchdown pass from Utah quarterback Travis Wilson to junior wide receiver Dres Anderson. The play was the longest allowed by the Bruin defense so far this season, by 14 yards.
Two Utah drives later, UCLA’s defense faltered once again, allowing the Utes to travel 67 yards in 3:12 minutes to make the score 14-7. The Bruins’ longest play allowed on the drive was just 13 yards, but their defensive stand was hindered by a 15-yard penalty by sophomore outside linebacker Kenny Orjioke, who pulled running back Bubba Poole down by his facemask to set the Utah offense up with a short field. The Utes took advantage, scoring just three plays later, to take a touchdown advantage.
The Bruins didn’t spend much time on their heels, however, making good use of a Utah horse collar tackle to drive 80 yards in just nine plays and 2:34 minutes during their next possession. UCLA showed a little trickery with a pass from sophomore wide receiver Devin Fuller to redshirt sophomore quarterback Brett Hundley to cap off the emphatic touchdown drive.
An interception by sophomore safety Randall Goforth ignited the Bruin offense to score yet another touchdown just minutes later. Hundley completed a pass on the left sideline to sophomore wide receiver Jordan Payton, who instantaneously stopped and gathered his balance to dodge a Utah defender and score his first touchdown of the season.
Utah kicker Andy Phillips easily knocked in a 44-yard field goal for the Utes on the ensuing drive, securing the halftime score.
Hundley finished the first two frames 12 of 15 through the air for 175 yards and a touchdown. Payton leads all receivers with 68 yards.
Compiled by Andrew Erickson, Bruin Sports senior staff.