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The first few minutes of tonight’s game were perhaps the most disastrous of Chip Kelly’s tenure at UCLA, and, really, that’s saying something.
The Oregon State Beavers moved effortlessly on their opening possession, needing only seven plays to drive 75 yards and take an early 7-0 lead.
The Bruins, starting sophomore Austin Burton at quarterback, misfired on their first drive after running back Joshua Kelley was stuffed on a fourth-and-1 dive on their own 34 yard line.
The Beavers took advantage of the Bruins’ blunder with a five-yard dash into the end zone by running back Artavis Pierce.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Beavers blindsided the Bruins with an onside dropkick. The kick, skipping high into the air, was high-pointed and recovered by the Beavers at the Bruins’ 27 yard line.
The very next play, quarterback Jake Luton struck tight end Teagan Quitoriano for a 27-yard score to put the Beavers ahead by 21 with nearly nine minutes left in the first quarter.
After their disastrous, disastrous start, the Bruins strung together a 13-play, 85-yard drive capped off by a toe-tapping touchdown catch by Kyle Phillips.
In response, the Beavers, by way of a 53-yard sprint by Artavis Pierce, marched downfield, again unabated by the Bruins’ defense. You guessed it: touchdown, Beavers. 27-7.
Kicker J.J. Molson managed to make a 37-yarder — probably could’ve used that last week, huh? — to cut the Beavers’ lead to 17 before the half, but the Bruins are again en route to being embarrassed in the Rose Bowl.
Burton has flashed an impressive arm at times but has been skittish, relying on his legs to scramble for first downs. And the defense, well, has struggled, to say the least.
For now, the Bruins’ descent into the dregs of college football continues.
Listen to the Game Here on BN!
The past few weeks, I’ve noticed an issue with the embedded TuneIn player. So, rather than embedding it here this week, I’m going to simply provide a link for everyone. Be sure to right-click on it so that you can open up another tab and have it going while you chat in the comments below. Listen to today’s game online.
This is your UCLA Bruins at Oregon State Beavers second half thread.
Go Bruins!