PASADENA — Redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley overcame a pick-six on his first pass of the game to throw for three scores and 326 yards, leading UCLA past archrival USC 38-20.
While the Trojans struck first after redshirt junior linebacker Anthony Sarao intercepted Hundley and returned it 17 yards for the game’s first score, it was all Bruins from there on out.
Hundley threw touchdown passes to receivers redshirt junior Devin Lucien, sophomore Thomas Duarte and redshirt freshman Eldridge Massington in the first half as the Bruins built a 24-14 lead at the break.
Turns out, that’s all the Bruins needed as UCLA’s defense was dominant all night, sacking USC redshirt junior quarterback Cody Kessler six times and holding the Trojans to about 200 yards of offense through three quarters.
The Bruins pulled away in the second half by scoring on their first two possessions of the third quarter. Redshirt sophomore running back Paul Perkins capped off the opening drive of the second half with a 10-yard touchdown run to put UCLA ahead 31-14 and the game well out of reach.
USC punted on its first drive and UCLA wasted no time in adding to its lead. Hundley promptly drove the Bruins down the field and finished the drive off with a 15-yard touchdown run to put UCLA ahead 38-14 midway through the third quarter.
While the Bruins revved into high gear, the Trojans sputtered, managing just 28 yards of offense on 14 plays in the third period. USC had no answer for UCLA’s suddenly ferocious pass rush, as the Bruins regularly pressured Kessler, who finished with 214 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Kessler had little help by way of the ground game, as the Trojans mustered just 62 yards on 33 carries.
UCLA forced USC to punt on its first four possessions of the second half, with redshirt junior tailback Javorius Allen’s touchdown run coming when the game was all but over as the Bruins claimed their third straight victory over the Trojans.
Compiled by Jordan Lee, Bruin Sports senior staff.