This post was updated on Sept. 14 at 3:29 a.m.
ARLINGTON, Texas — UCLA had a stroke of luck before its game against Texas even began.
After winning the coin toss and deferring to the second half, Texas chose to kick. The Longhorns’ mental lapse meant the Bruins would get the ball to start both halves.
After that, just about everything went wrong in the first half for UCLA. But a wild finish ended with the Bruins running off the field beaming, after winning 20-17.
It began with 4:29 to go in the first quarter, when redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley landed awkwardly after being tackled and injured his left elbow. Originally listed as probable to return by UCLA, Hundley left the field for the locker rooms with 10:32 to go in the second quarter.
From then on, it was up to redshirt sophomore quarterback Jerry Neuheisel to lead the offense.
Things didn’t go well initially.
Without the downfield threat from Hundley, the Texas defense was able to stack the box and double down on the run and short passes. The result was a 28-yard offensive second quarter from UCLA, as Texas put up 138 yards and 7 points in the quarter to take a 10-3 halftime lead.
Hundley returned to the field after halftime with his left arm heavily wrapped and without his helmet, his status changed to doubtful.
But UCLA’s Hundley woes were quickly put in the rearview mirror as redshirt sophomore running back Paul Perkins put the Texas defense in his. On the first play of the second half, Perkins took a handoff 58 yards to the 17-yard line. Six plays later, the Bruins tied the game on a touchdown pass from Neuheisel to redshirt sophomore fullback Nate Iese.
The Bruin defense mirrored the offense’s improved play, forcing several short drives. Meanwhile, the offense started to get in a rhythm of screen passes, which Texas struggled to adapt to.
The two teams entered the fourth quarter deadlocked at 10, with 15 minutes left to decide the winner.
The Bruins acted quickly on their first possession of the fourth quarter, driving deep into Texas territory. On a crucial fourth and one, sophomore linebacker/running back Myles Jack bounced a run to the outside and ran for a huge first down. But from there, the drive stalled and junior kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn hit a 25-yard field goal to give the Bruins the lead with 9:13 to go.
But Texas immediately responded, driving 80 yards for a touchdown.
After UCLA appeared to be in field-goal range on the next drive, redshirt senior running back Jordon James fumbled the ball and Texas recovered. But a staunch defensive stand got the Bruins the ball back a minute later, and junior cornerback Ishmael Adams brought a huge return to get the Bruins back into scoring range.
Fortune was back on their side.
So was redshirt sophomore Jerry Neuheisel. The backup quarterback slung a perfectly placed 33-yard pass to junior receiver Jordan Payton for a touchdown with three minutes left. After another defensive stand and a key first down on offense, UCLA had the win.
Compiled by Kevin Bowman, Bruin Sports senior staff.