Pasadena, Ca – The local player from Venice High now a Red shirt Junior Wide Receiver for the Washington State Cougars Gabe Marks scores the winning touchdown with .03 seconds on clock. Washington State came into Rose Bowl looking for a victory and came away gaining some respect with 31-27.
This game had a bunch of little story lines and post season bowl positions on the line for both teams. Cougars quarterback Luke Falk was the one of the team heroes coming into the game running coach Leach offense well. Falk was knocked out the game in the second quarter but went through the pre concussion protocol and cleared his head during halftime. This gutty performance passing 38/53 331 yards and 3 touchdowns, non bigger than 21 yarder to Marks for the win. No matter how much the Bruins front seven pressured him he just kept finding a way get first downs.
UCLA defense was able to stop the traditional running game hold the Cougars to 61 gross yards. The quick outs, and slants as new age running game ate the Bruins up. The late interception in endzone by Jaleel Wadood to stop Washington State from scoring late in 4th quarter setting up what Bruin hopefuls were wishing for a victory. The Bruins got the ball on 20 yard line with 3:13, 3 timeouts and 80 yards to a victory. Freshman Josh Rosen who had not thrown a touchdown all game need to find away to put this Bruin team on his back. 10 players later the Rose Bowl was all energized by uncharacteristic 37 yard run by Rosen who saw a big hole on the scramble. The magic was short lived because the Cougars had just enough time for the upset.
During the post game press conference Bruin Coach Jim Mora spoke about the offense sputtering in first half settling for two earlier field goals verses two touchdowns. Coach spoke on the end of the game but told his players, “We have to focus on plays during game that led up to last plays first.” So you can see the big picture of coach Mora knowing that his team has to play for the full 60 minutes to get results they need.
The Pac-12 south is still in sight and each of the top three teams control their own destiny with two games to play. So who ever can win out will get the nod for Pac-12 Championship game, so will be Utah, USC, or UCLA? We will be able to have clearer picture next Saturday when Bruins travel to Utah for another tough battle in Pac-12 conference.
