If there ever was an opportunity to be distracted from the moment, this was it.
UCLA watched its next opponent, then-No. 2 Oregon, lose to Arizona Thursday. Then, as the Bruins waited for their 7:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday at the Rose Bowl, they saw three other top-six teams tumble. The College Football Playoff picture appeared open as ever for UCLA, who entered Saturday ranked No. 8.
But before any of that became relevant, UCLA (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) had to first take care of Utah (4-1, 1-1). And therein lay the problem for the Bruins.
Junior kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a last-second field goal, and UCLA lost its golden chance and the game 30-28.