PASADENA — UCLA has struggled to slow down an uncharacteristic Stanford squad through two quarters and trails 21-10 at the break.
The Cardinal committed five penalties in the first quarter for 55 yards – a total above its per game average – and averaged just 3.4 yards per carry in the first half. Instead, Stanford’s ball-control offense – it held the ball for 21:40 of the first 30 minutes – relied on quarterback Kevin Hogan, who completed his first 12 passes of the game.
The Bruins mustered just 120 yards in the first two quarters, with their offense stalling after driving for a touchdown on their first drive of the game.
Following a Stanford three-and-out on its opening drive, UCLA moved the ball with ease for the only time in the first half, en route to the first score of the game. Redshirt sophomore running back Paul Perkins carried twice for 14 yards, while redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley was a perfect 3-3 passing.
Hundley bookended the five-play, 64-yard drive drive with completions to sophomore receiver Thomas Duarte, who hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass for the first score of the game.
The Cardinal answered right back with a crisp drive of its own. Hogan was a perfect 4-4 on the drive while four different Stanford running backs carried the ball, capped off by senior Remound Wright’s touchdown yard from a yard out to tie the game 7-7 at the six-minute mark in the first quarter.
After a series in which penalties were called on four plays almost consecutively, Stanford shanked a punt, giving UCLA the ball at the Cardinal 49-yard line. The Bruins marched the ball down to the Stanford 25-yard line before the drive stalled and UCLA settled for a 42-yard field goal from junior kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn to regain the lead 10-7 with 11:46 to go in the half.
Stanford responded with another long drive, led by Hogan’s arm. The Cardinal used a mix of short-intermediate passes and a sustained ground game before Hogan found junior receiver Michael Rector 22 yards downfield for the go-ahead score with 6:24 left in the half.
UCLA did nothing on its next drive, punting the ball back to Stanford. Hogan again took advantage. The Cardinal took the ball from its own 8-yard line down to the Bruins’ 37, before Hogan lobbed a deep ball to senior receiver Devon Cajuste, who hauled in the pass over sophomores linebacker Myles Jack and safety Tahaan Goodman for the 21-10 lead.
Hundley was 7-13 passing for 73 yards and a score, while Hogan completed 14 of 15 passes for 189 yards and two scores.
Compiled by Jordan Lee, Bruin Sports senior staff.