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With a dominating second half featuring some big defensive turnovers and Brett Hundley's arm, the Bruins broke open a very close game at halftime to run off with a 42-12 win over an outmanned Virginia Tech team.
The Bruins came out of the half with a 14-7 lead and stopped Va Tech on their opening drive, a trend which would follow the entire half. However, the Bruins gave Va Tech a huge opportunity when Shaq Evans fumbled a punt at the 12. The defense stood strong and kept the Hokies there and limited VA Tech to a FG.
The Bruins finally wised up when they got the ball back and neutralized the strong interior defense of the Hokies by throwing a lot of quick outside routes. That turned into a beautifully consistent 12 play 85 yard drive for a touchdown to put UCLA up 21-10 early in the fourth quarter.
VA Tech's offense was seriously hampered by the loss of their starting QB, and it cost them dearly on the next drive. Backup QB Mark Leal, in an effort to make a play, tried to dump off the ball as he was being wrapped up and threw it right into the face of Myles Jack. Jack showed his offensive hands with the catch and easy 25 yard return for the pick 6 to make it 28-10. Credit to Eddie Vanderdoes and Kenneth Graham for the pressure that forced the poor decision.
The Bruins next drive never got out from the shadow of their own goalposts, and with Sean Covington was punting from his endzone and took a half step back onto the endline, giving the Hokies a 2 point safety. That would be their final points of the day.
The Bruin defense got the ball right back when Jordan Zumwalt intercepted a pass and returned it to the 10. Hundley hit Thomas Duarte for a touchdown 2 plays later. Hundley then hit Evans for a 59 yard bomb on the next drive to cap the scoring at 42-12.
Hundley finished the day 16-27 passing for 226 yds and 2 TD, and 10 carries for 161 yards and 2 TD rushing. If he goes, that's a pretty impressive final game. Jordan Zumwalt was definitely playing his final game and was outstanding with 10 tackes and an interception, but it was his big hit on the Va Tech QB that knocked him from the game and crippled the Hokie offense for the rest of the game.
We'll have lots more to say about this game and this team and this season, but for now, let's celebrate with an 8-Clap for our U.C.L.A. Bruins and a great ten win season.
GO BRUINS!!