/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51920637/624485686.0.jpeg)
This was a beatdown and there’s no way else to put it. USC massively out-gained the Bruins with 527 yards of offense to UCLA’s 266 yards (they lapped us) on their way to an easy 36-14 victory and it wasn’t even that close. 13-9? Felt more like all the other games when Karl Dorrell was trying to hang with Pete Carroll’s teams.
It started off promising—Mike Fafaul connected with Jordan Lasley for a 56-yard touchdown pass just about a minute and half into the game. After an interception by Fabian Moreau, UCLA took a 14-7 lead on second TD pass from Fafaul to Lasley.
And that was the end of the highlights for the boys in true blue.
UCLA converted on only 2 of 11 third downs, and barely had the ball—with USC dominating the time of possession in this game, in control of the ball for 43:50, while the hapless Bruin offense could hold on to the ball for no more than 16:10.
Mike Fafaul threw for 181 yards on 15 of 31 attempts with two touchdown passes and no interceptions. It was his first game in real action that he didn’t throw a pick, but with the offense not able to move the ball, the lack of turnovers didn’t matter at all.
The offensive run game seemed to start off well, but ended at a measly 2.9 yards per carry, as has been the case all season.
The most surprising aspect was Tom Bradley’s normally stout defense’s complete inability to stop or slow down the Trojan offense. The 527 yards allowed was second only to the game against Utah, when the offense was able to turn in an Air Raid impression and keep pace with the Utes to lose by only a touchdown.
The offense was far from keeping pace with the Trojans tonight.
We’ll have more to say in the days to come, but this was a pitiful end—or near end—of a disappointing season with nothing for the Bruins but, I guess, pride to play for in their final game at Cal next weekend.
Let us hear your thoughts.
This is your post-game thread.
GO BRUINS.