Halftime: UCLA 21, Colorado 6; Second Half Game Thread

First Quarter

UCLA received the ball to start the game. After a three and out following some pretty vanilla play calling, Matt Mengel launched the punt of this career, for 64 yards, flipping the field for the Bruins.

Colorado managed two first downs mostly rushing the ball, but three consecutive incomplete passes caused CU to punt.

The Bruins scored on their next drive, with three big plays: a third down, 24 yard pass to Darren Andrews; a nice catch and run by Jordan Payton for 32 yards; and a 31 yard touchdown pass to Paul Perkins, in which Perk made two nice cuts, and followed his blocks into the end zone in the northeast corner of the Rose Bowl. Good to see Perk healthy.

7-0 UCLA.

Colorado took over after the UCLA touchdown, and Sefo Liufau led the Buffs down the field, converting two quarterback draws on third-down plays. Colorado was bailed out of a 3rd and 20 situation on a 17 yard completion (with all day to throw) and an Ishmael Adams holding call on fourth and three. The Bruins were bailed out however, as the drive stalled when the Colorado kicker, a left footer, pulled a 35 yard field goal wide right from the left hashmark…

The Bruins, once again, went three and out on run, run, short pass play calling. Colorado took over on its own 30 yard line, gained 2 yards on first down, ending the quarter, 7-0 UCLA.

Second Quarter

After the teams switched sides, Colorado’s drive stalled and they were forced to punt.

The Bruins took over on their own 25 yard line and, as the PAC 12 Network interviewed Steve Alford on the sidelines, the Bruins went three and out, with Rosen missing Payton on a long bomb on third-down.

After a UCLA punt, Colorado took over on its own 33 yard line. Colorado moved the ball down the field, playing with pace, running the ball (including multiple runs by Liufau), and a double reverse flea flicker screen left play for 7 yards. The Buffs converted on fourth and inches, continued running the ball and got into a first and goal situation. After a great tackle by Aaron Wallace in the backfield on a jet sweep, Colorado made a huge mistake on third and goal as Liufau tried to force one in and Ishmael Adams made up for his earlier penalty, and then some, with a beautiful interception and a 96 yard return for a touchdown.

14-0 UCLA.

Colorado took over and promptly completed a long pass to tight end, Sean Irwin, for a 33 yard gain. The Buffs drove down the field with a nice mix of runs in passes, but again, shot themselves in the foot when Devin Ross dropped a sure touchdown pass on a wide open fade route. Colorado’s drive stalled inside the UCLA 10 yard line, and their kicker converted the field goal.

14-3 UCLA.

After a nice kickoff return was negated by UCLA holding penalty, the Bruins started on their 18 yard line. It took just one play. Paul Perkins took the handoff and Jake Brendel pulled to his right and sealed the linebacker, opening a huge hole, and Perk was gone, racing 82 yards to the end zone for his second touchdown of the day.

21-3 UCLA.

Colorado got the ball back and drove down the field, punctuated by several catches by wide receiver, Nelson Spruce, and a big, 20 yard run by Donovan Lee down to the UCLA 13 yard line. Yet again, the Colorado drive stalled and on 4th and four from the UCLA 6 yard line, Head Coach Mike McIntyre elected to kick the 23 yard field goal as time expired, cutting UCLA’s lead to 15.

21-6 UCLA.

Colorado has moved the ball against UCLA has been unlucky with a missed field goal, a dropped touchdown pass, the pick six for 96 yards, and conservative play calling at the end of the half. This is the bend don’t break defense.

Go Bruins in the second half!!!!