PASADENA — UCLA’s first-half performance tonight was sterling on many accounts.
The Bruins advanced the ball inside the Washington State 25-yard line on four of their five offensive drives. Meanwhile, UCLA’s defense held Washington State to one for six on third-down conversions, preventing the Cougars’ air-raid offense from gaining steam.
But two big factors held UCLA back significantly in this first half tonight: poor play in the red zone and a miscue near its own goal line.
UCLA only scored one touchdown in its four red-zone trips, while Washington State scored touchdowns on each of its two red-zone trips. At halftime, UCLA leads 16-14, thanks to three field goals by senior kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, who set the Pac-12 record for scoringtonight.
The game could easily be 16-7 right now if not for an ill-advised play by redshirt junior cornerback Ishmael Adams in the second quarter. Adams stood deep inside UCLA territory, awaiting a punt return, and decided to catch the ball inside the UCLA 5-yard line, instead of letting it bounce. The result of the play was a fumble by Adams, setting up Washington State with a golden opportunity at the UCLA 14-yard line.
On the following possession, UCLA would have stopped Washington State on a three-and-out if not for another misplay from Adams. Adams committed a holding penalty on third-and-10, which nullified a UCLA sack that would have forced the Cougars into a field goal. Instead, Washington State scored on the next play, buoyed by the momentum created from Adams’s holding penalty.
UCLA’s offense has operated very well in the first half, but its red-zone play-calling has been problematic. UCLA averaged more than 6 yards per play in the first half, but averaged just 4 yards per play in the red zone. On two occasions, UCLA got inside the Washington State 5-yard line, but had to settle for a field goal.
Compiled by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff