STANFORD “”mdash; UCLA’s players kept one thing in mind after Saturday’s 45-19 loss at Stanford Stadium: The scoreboard is not a tell-all.
It could have told a different story if the Bruins had converted on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line on their first drive of the game.
And if the usually sure-handed Taylor Embree cleanly fielded the punt sent his way late in the third quarter, those digits might read a little differently.
Those plays didn’t lose UCLA the game, but the boys holding the pistol shot themselves in the foot at crucial moments Saturday night.
“I think that’s been the case in a couple games this year, but I think especially in this game there were some plays that stood out,” redshirt junior linebacker Patrick Larimore said. “I don’t think you’re ever going to play error-free against everybody, but we have to play more efficiently.”
While UCLA made mistakes, Stanford kept a clean slate, committing no turnovers and punting the ball only twice.
Conversely, UCLA turned the ball over twice, not including the early turnover on downs. All the momentum gained from going 79 yards was left on the 1-yard line, only to be picked up where it lay by Andrew Luck, who drove the Cardinal 99 yards down the field for the opening score.
Suddenly, the Bruins were faced with the uphill climb they’ve been accustomed to this year.
“I think we’re a really good team; we’ve just got to stop killing ourselves,” redshirt junior tight end Joseph Fauria said.
Embree’s muffed punt, which UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel called “crucial,” proved to be the most costly.
But there were positives to take out of some of the failures. Neuheisel’s team proved to be gutsy against the No. 6 team in the country, shirking conservatism to build a stronger mentality.
“You’ve got to take shots to hang with a team like this,” said redshirt senior wide receiver Josh Smith. “I’m proud of our team for developing the courage to go ahead and go for more shots. Hopefully we get even braver from this point on.”
Strength of schedule
The matchup against the No. 6 Cardinal was the last game in a difficult season-opening stretch for the Bruins. In addition to the Cardinal, Texas, which defeated UCLA 49-20 on Sept. 17, sits at No. 17 in the Associated Press Top 25.
“I think those are three of the best teams in the country ““ Texas, Stanford and UCLA,” Fauria said.
Houston, which defeated UCLA in the season opener, is on the edge of entering the AP Top 25. The Cougars, like the Cardinal and Longhorns, remain undefeated.
“We’ve played OK against some very good teams,” Smith said. “We feel like if anything, it’s prepared us to continue to fight hard. Plenty of learning from this game.”
Notes
- Redshirt senior defensive tackle Justin Edison suffered a concussion in the third quarter.
- Sophomore Chris Ward (right shoulder) and senior linebacker Sean Westgate (right hand) were also injured in the game.
- Stanford won its 12th straight game, the longest win streak in the nation.
- Senior wide receiver Nelson Rosario caught his 100th career reception in the first quarter.
- Redshirt junior Johnathan Franklin became the 15th running back in UCLA history to top 2,000 career rushing yards.