UCLA Bruins 27-Arizona State Sun Devils 17: 2nd Half Game Thread

The UCLA Bruins head into the 2nd half against Arizona State with the score 27-17 in favor of the Bruins.

Arizona State took the opening kickoff and kicked a 50-yard FG aided along on the drive by two defensive penalties. The actual play of the defense was solid,

Brett Hundley did suit up in this one and looked solid on his first offensive drive, however, penalties derailed the Bruins and they were forced to punt. Eddie Vanderdoes crashed hard down the line to force a fumble that was recovered on a heads up play by Eric Kendricks to give the Bruins the ball right back in ASU territory.

The Bruins offense stalled out again, but Ka'imi Fairbairn nailed a 36-yard FG to even up the score a 3 in the 1st quarter.

The Sun Devils drove down the field, exploiting the blitz repeatedly, to score a go-ahead TD to make it 10-3. UCLA responded with a huge drive of there own, sprung by a long completion to Thomas Duarte on a quick slant against a blitz. But the drive stalled out after UCLA was unable to make a play in the end-zone (dropped pass on a fade to Jordan Payton) and had to kick another short FG to make the score 10-6 at the end of the 1st quarter.

The Sun Devils quickly scored again in the 2nd quarter on a deep TD pass down the middle that made it 17-6.

UCLA broke through with another big play on a 3rd and 2 when Eldridge Massington took a quick hitch for the first down and (partial thanks to Arizona State for taking themselves out with friendly fire) going 80 yards for a TD to make it 17-13 in favor of Arizona State.

Anthony Jefferson came up on the next ASU drive with one of the more impressive interceptions of the season thus far, taking the ball away from Jaelen Strong on a deep ball. The UCLA offense needed to step up and it looked like they were going to until another penalty set UCLA back once again, forcing a punt.

The Bruins offense looked to be clicking a little bit on the next drive, aided by exceptional individual efforts by Paul Perkins on a big run, Brett Hundley on a pass to Duarte, stepping up in the pocket and throwing a bullet over the linebackers and in front of the safeties and Hundley again on a scramble to get the ball inside of the 5. Hundley closed out the drive with a short TD pass to Nate Iese out of the Jumbo package, giving UCLA a 20-17 lead late in the 2nd quarter.

It looked like Arizona State was going to take the lead right back, as UCLA defensive line was getting limited pressure and forcing the DBs to cover in man for a long time. The Sun Devils got in the red-zone and Ishmael Adams made up for a pass interference earlier in the drive with an interception and an explosive return for his 2nd defensive touchdown of the year. Kenny Young got pressure in Mike Bercovici's face on the play.

Let's head to the 2nd half and step on the throats of the Sun Devils.

Go Bruins!