TUCSON, Ariz. — With all the injuries that UCLA sustained over the past few weeks, it looked like only a matter of time before the Bruins lost their first game.
Yet even without starting junior linebacker Myles Jack, starting senior cornerback Fabian Moreau and starting junior defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes, the Bruins (3-0) are playing as well as they have all season long.
At halftime, No. 9 UCLA leads No. 16 Arizona 42-14 in a game that has been dominated by the Bruins on both sides of the ball.
What’s made matters worse for the Wildcats (3-0) is their self-inflicted wounds. On two occasions, Arizona had an unforced fumble inside its own territory. Each time, UCLA picked up the ball and converted the opportunity into an offensive touchdown soon after.
Meanwhile, UCLA’s offense has been clicking on all cylinders since the start of the game. Freshman quarterback Josh Rosen’s first half looked more like the one against Virginia than the one against UNLV and BYU. On UCLA’s opening drive, Rosen connected with junior Y receiver Thomas Duarte on a 35-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7. Ever since then, the Bruins haven’t trailed.
In addition to Rosen being back on his game, the UCLA rushing attack has been potent for the third straight week. Redshirt junior Paul Perkins set a career high with three rushing touchdowns on 56 yards rushing, and the UCLA running backs have collectively rushed for 117 yards on a 4.7 yards per carry.
The Arizona offense received a boost of momentum when backup quarterback Jerrard Randall checked into the game and ran 39 yards for a touchdown. But other than that, the Arizona fans haven’t had much to cheer for. When Randall was leading Arizona into UCLA territory on the next offensive drive, he threw a key interception to UCLA redshirt junior cornerback Ishmael Adams.
The Bruins converted the opportunity into a touchdown, as they’ve done all game.
Compiled by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff.