This post was updated on August 30 at 1:11 p.m.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Escape.
That much would best be used to describe UCLA football’s closer-than-expected 28-20 win over Virginia in its season opener.
Down eight as late as the fourth quarter wound down, the Cavaliers drove down the field but couldn’t convert on fourth-and-eight from the UCLA 17.
UCLA’s offense, which faltered for much of the game, then proceeded to run out the clock and seal the win.
Prior to that, UCLA’s defense carried its offense. Of UCLA’s four total touchdowns, three came courtesy of its defense.
In the second quarter, both junior cornerback Ishmael Adams and redshirt senior linebacker Eric Kendricks returned an interception for a touchdown – Adams for 20 yards, Kendricks for 37.
In between, junior safety Randall Goforth scooped up a fumble by a Virginia wide receiver and took it 75 yards for the TD.
It was 21-3 when Virginia pulled its starting quarterback, redshirt sophomore Greyson Lambert, for sophomore Matt Johns. Johns drove them down the field and threw for a TD score to make it 21-10 at the half.
Midway through the third quarter, Johns threw for a 23-yard touchdown to make it 21-17 UCLA. That was the closest Virginia would get.
The Bruins’ offense appeared out of sorts for much of the game, only to begin to find a rhythm midway through the fourth quarter. Redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley was under duress for much of the game, as Virginia sacked him five times.
On the stats, Virginia led UCLA in just about every category – pass yards, rush yards, third-down conversions, sacks and so forth.
The final score though, belonged to UCLA.
Compiled by Chris Kalra, Bruin Sports senior staff.