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No.20 USC rallies for another comeback win by defeating Arizona

By
Eric Ramos
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The USC Trojans defeat the Cal Bears 41-17 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, November 16, 2019 (Aaron Nelson / fi360 News).

Los Angeles, CA – USC used another last minute scoring drive to come from behind and win on the road. The Trojans rallied in similar fashion last week. 

Vavae Malepeai redeemed himself after losing a key fumble last week with an 8-yard touchdown run with 25 seconds left to give No. 20 USC a 34-30 win over Arizona on Saturday. 

“At the end, our kids did what they did last week,” USC coach Clay Helton said. “When it mattered the most, they never panicked, they showed great poise.”

The Trojans were down by three when Kedon Slovis connected with tight end Erik Krommonhoek down the middle of the field for a 6-yard touchdown and a 27-23 lead with 3:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. 

Arizona came right back to take the lead with a 6-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Grant Gunnell’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Berryhill III with 1:35 left in the game. 

“We have some things we need to get better at, but we’re 2-0,” Helton said. “A lot of teams would like to be in that position.”

Slovis completed 30-of-43 passes for 325 yards and a touchdown. Amon-Ra St. Brown had seven receptions for 113 yards. USC’s running game improved with 185 total rushing yards. 

USC safety Talanoa Hufangas’ interception in the first quarter set up Markese Stepp for a 1-yard touchdown run. Gunnell hit Jamarye Joiner on a 34-yard touchdown pass to even the score, 7-7. 

After both teams traded field goals, Stephen Carr scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to give USC a 17-10 lead in the second quarter. Carr finished with 83 yards on the ground. Arizona kicker Lucas Havrisik hit a 25-yard field goal to cut the USC lead, 17-13, at halftime. 

Up next for USC is a road game against Utah on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. 

Bruins Get Ready For Cal In Unexpected Sunday Game

By
Manny Nunez
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Cal Bears vs UCLA Bruins football game on Saturday November 30 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore)

Leave it to the year 2020 where two college football teams were forced to bail out of their Sunday plans and play football instead.


UCLA had been playing the waiting game to see if Utah was ready to go for their contest and their home opener. It wasn’t until that afternoon finding out that the Utes did not hop on a plane early Friday afternoon as they were short players, even after moving the game from Friday to Saturday. Around the same time, California suddenly lost their chance at a season opener with Arizona State’s COVID outbreak, including infecting Sun Devil head coach Herm Edwards.


With both the Bruins and Bears losing their games, both athletic directors took to the phones and asked if, well, they could just play each other to add a game to their standings. So now, the Bears, barring a setback, will be debuting their 2020 season instead in Pasadena.

This game will have so many unique factors. Starting off with the little amount of prep time, both teams will have just roughly 36 hours of strategizing to do. Sure UCLA has won five out of the last seven contests and history does point to their favor. But the Bears are returning most of their players back and they have experience against UCLA, winning last season’s contest led by running back Christopher Brown Jr.’s iconic performance and a defense taking down the quarterback six times.

Cal’s season debut was halted when Arizona had COVID issues, leading to a cancellation of the game. UCLA had a rough go of their season opener, but quarterback Dorian Thompson Robinson found his groove in the second half against Colorado, though his team fell with their defense unable to make key stops late in the game. The only major advantage the Bruins have against Cal is having a game under their belt.

Santa Clara, CA – DECEMBER 30: California Golden Bears quarterback Chase Garbers (7) on December 30, 2019, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.(Photo by Jordon Kelly)

The Bears may have the upper hand in this game, with Brown Jr. quarterback Chase Gabers, and a loaded linebacker core led by Kuony Deng and Cameron Goode. The Bears were also picked to finish second in the Pac-12 North, meaning each win they can snag should make their contest against Oregon that much more interesting.

With all that aside, both teams will look to adjust as the game goes along. With only last year’s experience to fall back on, both teams will make drastic changes and should end up being a very close game. Either way, this is a game the Bruins need with the possibility of falling 0-2 and in danger of falling under .500 again with head coach Chip Kelly for a third straight season.

High scoring game at Folsom Field ends in Colorado win

By
Devon Martinez
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Photo by: Colorado Athletics

Boulder, CU – The Colorado Buffaloes win 48-42 at Folsom Field against the UCLA Bruins. In an opening game that provided Buffalo fans with a lot to be excited for in the Karl Dorrell heading coaching era, despite inconsistencies throughout the game.

“They should feel confident, they can win a lot of games,” Dorrell said, “We won our first one, and that’s a big bonus for us.”

Dorrell added that there is a lot of work to do since the Bruins exploited several holes in both the defense and special teams of Colorado.

The Buffaloes dominated the Bruins in the first half with a 35-14 score; four turnovers, including three fumbles and one interception, were to blame for UCLA failures. And Colorado took full advantage by turning those errors into touchdowns.

The momentum in the third quarter shifted to the Bruins after a 65-yard run by quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Jr. on second down of their opening drive. A blocked field goal by the Bruins led to another touchdown and 21 unanswered points.

The Buffaloes responded with a one-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Sam Noyer. And then the game turned to total chaos as both teams continued to score points until late into the fourth quarter.  

Colorado was ahead 48-35 when the Bruins blocked another field goal with around three minutes left in the fourth quarter. Thompson-Robinson led his offense down the field and completed a touchdown pass to tight-end Mike Martinez with one minute and forty-five seconds left. But a failed onside kick attempt by UCLA took out whatever life they had left. The Buffaloes ran the clock out to win the game. 

Several key offensive players contributed to the 48 points scored by the Buffaloes. Jarek Brossaurd’s first career start ended up being a dominating one as he carried the football 31 times for 187 yards and three touchdowns.

Noyer also showed off his talent as a duel threat quarterback with 257 yards passing and a touchdown and 64 yards rushing and a touchdown. According to Dorrell, he is excited about Noyer after his first career start, and despite a couple of mistakes, overall, he played well.

The 1-0 Buffaloes travel to Stanford next Saturday.

Bruins Four First Half Turnovers Prove Too Much In Loss

By
Manny Nunez
-
Photo by: University of Colorado Athletics

Los Angeles, CA – While UCLA made a furious comeback against Colorado, trailing by as many as 28 and eventually cutting the lead to six, it was two costly turnovers early in the game that proved to be the difference maker in a 48-42 loss to the Buffaloes.

“I think we put our defense in very bad situations,” Bruins head coach Chip Kelly said. “We dug ourselves into a very big hole early in the first half. There was some good things we did in the game, but we cannot put ourselves in early deficits.”

Colorado forced four Bruin turnovers in the first half, but it was the first two that set the tone for UCLA to dig themselves into a hole the entire game. After a UCLA defensive stop to start the game, Colorado punts the ball and recovers a fumble by Kyle Phillips. Alec Pell recovers at the UCLA 25 yard line, setting up Jarek Broussard touchdown run into the end zone four plays later. On the ensuing drive for UCLA Carson Wells picks off a pass in the Colorado red zone, returning it one yard shy of the goal line. Broussard gets in one play later.

By then UCLA was playing catchup the rest of the game and eventually figured things out. Erasing all the mishaps, Dorian Thompson Robinson and Demetric Felton eventually found their rhythm. Down 35-7 at one point, Thompson Robinson used his arm and his legs to run his Bruins back to within two scores. After another Bruin stop, Thompson Robinson again strikes into the endzone, finding Keegan Jones on his first catch of the night. Cutting the lead to seven, both teams ended up trading scores, with the Bruins unable to match Colorado’s offense the rest of the way.

“I think this is one game, but we just cannot turn the ball over too many times like we did tonight,” Kelly said. “We need to do a better job coaching and protecting the football.”

Both Thompson-Robinson and Dimitric Felton had solid games after their first half jitters. Thompson Robinson finished 20-for-40 with 300 yards and five total touchdowns. Felton nearly had 100 all purpose yards with two total touchdowns. Four different receivers ended up with a touchdown, with tight end Greg Dulcich leading the way with 126 total yards. But it was the Colorado offense, even with the inexperience, that gave the Bruins plenty of headaches. Broussard on the ground had 31 total carries clocking with 187 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Sam Noyer, with very little college football experience, threw for 257 yards and one touchdown.

“It was the same offense and same defense they ran the entire game,” Kelly said. “Eventually when they were up the way they were, they ended up running the football a lot more, which is why they were able to pile up rushing yards. Because of that, it put our defense in a bad position when the score came out of hand because of mishandling the football.”

With already a short season, UCLA’s football schedule can go either way. The Bruins’s home opener against Utah is currently up in the air with a potential COVID-19 outbreak with the Utes program. This could mean an unexpected bye is in order. However, in two weeks they take off for Eugene to face Oregon.

USC erases a 13-point lead for a comeback win over Arizona State

By
Eric Ramos
-
The USC Trojans defeat the Cal Bears 41-17 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, November 16, 2019 (Aaron Nelson / fi360 News).

Los Angeles, CA – USC trailed Arizona State by 13 points with 2:52 left in the fourth quarter when wide receiver Bru McCoy caught a tipped pass in the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown. The pass was intended for Amon-Ra St. Brown before it was tipped in the air and landed in McCoy’s hands. 

On the ensuing kickoff, the Trojans go for an onside kick and recover the ball at their own 45 to set up the frantic comeback. USC was down to fourth-and-nine when quarterback Kedon Slovis hit Drake London between three defenders for a 21-yard game-winning touchdown with 1:20 left in the game. 

“We had never repped one before and they told me on the sideline that I was going to be the one coming down,” McCoy said on the onside kick. “I honestly thought I messed up and could’ve attacked the ball. I was waiting for that big one hop so I could come down on it and it stayed low, fell inside and we were able to come up with it.” 

No. 20 USC scored twice in the final three minutes to come back and defeat Arizona State, 28-27, in the season opener Saturday morning at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. 

“I commend our team,” USC coach Clay Helton said. “A year ago we may not have won this game. But a year older, a year more experience, I did not see panic, just poise and kids saying they want to get to the next opportunity. We made some big plays down the stretch. We know that Arizona State is one of the tougher teams on our schedule.”

Slovis completed 40-of-55 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns. Two-sport star London finished with eight receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown. 

“That play is one we work on all the time. We ran it a lot down the stretch there, too. To be honest they dropped a lot guys most of the time we ran it and didn’t give us a chance to get off those down-the-field shots. But when they gave us the look they did, it’s something we rep a lot in practice.” 

Arizona State got on the board first with a 38-yard field goal by Cristian Zendejas. USC responded with a 2-yard touchdown run by Stephen Carr to take a 7-3 lead in the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, ASU running back Chip Trayanum took a 3rd and 1 handoff and raced 25 yards for the score. The Trojans came right back on a 1-yard touchdown run by Markese Stepp and took a 14-10 lead. 

The Sun Devils didn’t waste any time as running back Rachaad White took a swing pass 55 yards for the score. ASU went into halftime with a 17-14 lead. 

“This team can be really good, and yes there was a lot of rust,” Helton said.  “We shook it off. The thing that makes this team special is their mindset and how they deal with adversity and the playmakers.”

After a slow start to open the second half, ASU took a 10-point lead on Trayanum’s 17-yard touchdown run, his second score of the game. Zendejas added a 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to give the Sun Devils a 27-14 lead. 

USC finished with 556 yards of total offense and managed to overcome four turnovers. The defense gave up 392 total yards, including 258 yards on the ground, but came up with key stops down the stretch to secure the win. 

“We had an opportunity to finish the game in the fourth quarter,” ASU coach Herm Edwards said.  “We didn’t finish the game, you have to give them credit. They made the plays they needed to make. We did not, whether it was on offense, defense or special teams so I got to give those guys credit.”

Up next for the Trojans is a road matchup against Arizona Saturday Nov. 14 

UCLA Have High Hopes Against Colorado

By
Manny Nunez
-
Arizona State vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on October 26, 2019 (Photo by Jevone Moore)

Los Angeles, CA – The Pac-12 is already off to a dismal stat with two games postponed due to COVID (Washington-Cal and Arizona-Utah). Utah also could be in serious jeopardy with reports of a potential outbreak within the team, putting their first road game against UCLA in serious trouble.

The rest of the Pac-12 has been slated to play, and UCLA-Colorado will both debut their seasons tonight at 4PM PST. Last season the Bruins took command in a 31-14 victory led by Dorian Thompson Robinson’s 226 yards and two touchdowns, along with Joshua Kelley’s 216 yards on the ground.

The last two trips to Colorado have not favored well for the Bruins, losing both contests. However, there could be a mimic to success if Thompson-Robinson can repeat the same kind of offense against Colorado’s defense that has tried to fill in holes led by new head coach Karl Dorrell. Thompson Robinson’s last start against Colorado at the Rose Bowl was favorable, starting out the game with his two lone touchdown passes of 16 and 45 yards. That put the Bruins back into the comfort zone.


The key however will be how the running game will fare now with Kelley gone. Demetric Felton will be the primary running back for the contest tonight, and this could be a game that could start off his confidence where the Buffs allowed nearly 450 yards per game defensively.


Colorado under new head coach Dorrell will also have his hands full trying to figure out who can lead his offense. Quarterback Sam Noyer gets the nod to be the week one starter. However, all of their quarterbacks combined have very little college experience with just 51 total pass attempts. They at least have receiving experience to back them up, starting with K.D. Nixon and Dimitri Stanley.


All in all, this could be a perfect game for the Bruins to start off with and go 1-0. The question will be after this week if Utah will come to Pasadena the week after. In any case, UCLA has the confidence to pull this out.

Longest off-season in Colorado history ends with game against UCLA Saturday

By
Devon Martinez
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CU Jaren Mangham (1) looks for running room upfield in first quarter of CU vs Washington at Folsom Field on November 23, 2019 (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News).

Boulder, CU – Karl Dorrel’s Colorado Buffaloes are set to play Chip Kelly’s UCLA Bruins Saturday, for a nationally televised game on ESPN2, at 5:00 p.m. mountaintime.

The longest off season in Colorado football history is finally starting after 343 days, and it was a crazy one. Not only did Colorado lose its head football coach in February with the departure of Mel Tucker who left for the head coaching job at Michigan State University. But the Covid-19 pandemic caused panic across the world, and until recently, everyone wondered if there’d be a football season.

The Pac-12 made the decision in September to have a condensed season that would begin for all teams in November. This decision was made after several other divisions provided insight into how College Football could be played while taking extensive measures for safety precautions.

Now that both teams have had a month to prepare for this game, as the season finally begins. Here are some storylines to at tomorrow games.

  • Today’s game will be Dorrell’s firstas the Colorado head coach, and he is playing against the team that gave him his first head coaching start 17 years ago—it’s been 13 years from when his tenure ended. He said recently that he’s learned a lot since that experience and is more locked into the process of the game than he was the first time around.
  • Sam Noyer is the senior Quarterback for Colorado, and this is his first time starting. He was previously behind Steven Montez for the past couple of years, so everything about how he plays will be a surprise for the Bruins.
  • Kelly is currently on the hot seat with the Bruins as he heads into his third year as head coach with a 7-17 record. Kelly has been unable to recreate the same success he had with Oregon years ago. But UCLA just recently hired a new athletic director, and the college remains optimistic on the future of this team.
  • The Bruins quarterback, Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a gifted athlete that can extend plays with his feet. This may turn out to be an exciting game offensively, if Colorado does not find a way to stop him.

Let’s hope for a great game for both teams tonight, because finally college football is back.

UCLA Football Preview: What Could Be A Season Of Ups and Downs

By
Manny Nunez
-
UCLA Bruins running back Demetric Felton #10 during the Colorado Buffaloes vs UCLA Bruins PAC-12 football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA on Saturday November 2, 2019. (Photo by Jevone Moore)

What can you say about 2020? It has been a year to really forget from all angles. With sports at a standstill and college football swaying back and forth from wanting to start, the Pac-12 was the most hesitant to begin their season. Just about every other major conference has played a few games, but not without cancellations or teams massively short players.


With the Pac-12 starting their season this weekend, they will be the only conference not participating for a chance at a national championship. To be fair, it is somewhat hard to believe that every team in the Pac-12 was even worrying or considering having a chance to do so, as each team in the conference has stressed health and safety.

Cal Bears vs UCLA Bruins football game on Saturday November 30 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore)

Said Bruins head coach Chip Kelly to a reporter in Oregon: “I’m just hopeful in Week 3 we get the opportunity to get on a plane and play a game because nobody on either team has contracted the virus.”


It is true though. Many major programs have either lost key games or key players due to COVID-19, with Clemson sensation quarterback Trevor Lawrence recently the next to go down. Still, either way, there is still plenty for the Bruins to be riding on and with a revised schedule.

Each team in the conference will be playing just seven games, five within their division and at least one outside. Historically the Pac-12 South has been arguably the most competitive but in a very awkward way, where division leaders cannot seem to hold on to their lead for consecutive weeks. UCLA last season fared against the Pac-12 South with a 2-3 record, but they did have a close loss to Arizona last season.

Overall, UCLA is a team that can swing either way, where they can either shock many teams within the division, or play predictable football and fall in the bottom of the pack. Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is going to be one of those quarterbacks who will be a lot of fun to watch this season. He has legs (nearly 200 rushing yards with four touchdowns), and a strong arm (averaging a 58 percent completion percentage with 28 touchdowns in two seasons). However, he has been at times inaccurate (16 interceptions in two seasons) and can be prone to make bad passes. What will help DTR is his receiving core returning. Four of his top five receivers will return, which includes Kyle Phillips that hauled in 60 catches for just under 700 yards.

At the same time, the running game will have some question marks. With Josh Kelly leaving, this means Demetric Felton should take the majority of the snaps in the backfield. Chase Cota could also make a case to trade snaps with Felton, but they have some major shoes to fill.

UCLA Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson #1 on Saturday November 2, 2019. (Photo by Jevone Moore)

The offense overall should be fine. It will be the defense that will have plenty to prove that the Bruins can show off as contenders. Other than all Pac-12 defensive end Osa Odighizua, that is pretty much it. Last season the Bruins gave up at least four touchdowns in six games last season, as well as two score or more losses in all but one. If the Bruins want to contend, this has to be their bread and butter.

UCLA starts their 2020 campaign with Colorado. They are expected to win with Utah on the schedule at home next week. The Utes are not the same team like always, which means a 2-0 Bruins season to start the year can clearly cause some feathers to ruffle.

Dodgers Are World Series Champions

By
Christopher Floch
-
Photo by Jerry Kelly

ARLINGTON,TX- For the first time in thirty two years, the iconic Los Angeles Dodgers have brought home baseball’s world championship. The Dodgers have captured their first World Series since 1988. The final score in this comeback victory was 3-1.

The Dodgers  bullpen was fantastic. The Dodgers earned their Seventh World Series in franchise history, winning the series 4-2. The Rays made a huge mistake by taking out starter Blake Snell as the Rays were up 1-0 until the 6th inning. Austin Barnes singled which prompted Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash to give Snell the hook. Then Mookie Betts hit a double. Austin Barnes stole home on a wild pitch. Play of the game: Corey Seager hit a shot to the first baseman, who threw home late as Betts slid into home beating the throw, for what turned out to be the game winning run. Our bullpen was lights out, shutting out the Rays for the final 8 and 2/3rd of this game that will not be forgotten.

Photo by Michael C. Floch


Julio Urias struck out Willy Adams’s with a 97 MPH fastball. Everyone in the bullpen was dominant.  Urias entered  the game  in the seventh inning and did not allow a hit for the final eight outs pitching a shutout. MVP of the Series-Corey Seager. “It’s been fun to be a part of” exclaimed the jubilant MVP. Congratulations Los Angeles Dodgers- you earned it!

Dodgers Rebound To Take Critical Game 5

By
Christopher Floch
-
Photo by Jerry Kelly

ARLINGTON, TX – After the ninth inning meltdown in Game 4 of the World Series, when they were one strike away from a commanding 3-1 lead,  the Los Angeles Dodgers showed tremendous resolve and grit, winning critical Game 5, 4-2 on Sunday, October 25th at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Dodgers now hold a 3-2 series lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, the Boys in Blue are a single victory from winning their first World Series title since 1988.

Dodger fans were sickened by another bullpen collapse on Saturday night. Convinced another World Series opportunity would be squandered. Fortunately, the experience mixed with the seething anger motivated the Dodgers. Jumping out early to a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning courtesy of a Mookie Betts double followed by consecutive hits by Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger off Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow.

When the World Series is tied 2-2, the winner of game 5 has ended up the World Series champ 65% of the time. An opposite field blast by Joc Pederson gave the Dodgers an early 3-0 lead. The Rays would quickly answer.

In perhaps his most important start in his illustrious career, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw battled through 5 and 2/3rds innings. In the third inning, Kershaw gave up a triple to Yandy Diaz, followed by an RBI single to Randy Arozarena, trimming the lead to 3-2. 

Photo by Jerry Kelly

The most important play of the game, perhaps the WS itself unfolded in the fifth inning. The Wiley Kershaw battled with the entire season hanging in the balance. 

Tampa’s Manuel Margot attempted the most thrilling play in MLB: stealing home. Timing Kershaw’s long stretch, Margot darted home with reckless abandon, Kershaw athletically stepped off the rubber, avoiding a balk, made a perfect throw to catcher Austin Barnes. Barnes tagged a sliding Margot; just a millisecond prior to him touching home base. This ended the threat and inning in the process. 

It was an admirable risk, since no one has tried to steal home in the World Series since 1991. Margot got a great jump, nearly stealing home and regaining momentum. Further proof the Dodgers confidence and playoff experience paid off.

Kershaw has changed his reputation, from a future Hall of Famer who struggled in the playoffs to the all time post season strike out leader. Last night, he improved to 4-1 this postseason, setting a MLB postseason record with his 207th strikeout.

Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts has drawn wide criticism and second guessing by angry fans and baseball pundits alike for his questionable decisions in the past. Well, let’s give credit where credit is due. He was booed for yanking Kershaw in the sixth, electing to put in Dustin May. 

Turns out Dave was right. May was brilliant in his short relief. Relievers Victor Gonzalez and Blake Trienen pitched the ninth, sealing the victory. Our bullpen stepped up and redeemed themselves.

Game six is Tuesday night, with a chance for the Dodgers to win their first World Series in thirty two years. Game 6 will air on FOX 11, first pitch is slated for 5:09 pm. 

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