BATON ROUGE, LA– In the first half of Saturday’s showdown against the LSU Tigers, the UCLA Bruins matched the NO.16 program in the country in Baton Rouge-a late touchdown at the end of the first half- made it even at halftime. Sadly, LSU dominated the second half with a convincing 34-17 victory over the UCLA Bruins.
Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers, who threw some extremely accurate balls, passed for 281 yards and two touchdowns for UCLA (1-2), but continued his ongoing problem with ball security, losing a fumble in the first half and was intercepted in the second.
“It’s baby steps, but I just like the way my team is fighting. They are being resilient and continually trying to fight during the game,” UCLA coach DeShaun Foster said. “As long as my guys continue to fight and they want to get better, we will get better.”
LSU entered the game as more than three-touchdown favorites. These moral victories only make the loss all the more stinging and crushing.
Both teams went 75 yards on their opening possessions for touchdowns on a 5-yard reception by LSU’s Zavion Thomas and a 20-yard catch by UCLA’s Jack Pedersen.
Then in the closing moments of the first half, the Bruin faithful witnessed an inspiring play. Maybe the crazy upset was possible, the Bruins drew even in the final seconds of the half. on an 11-yard scoring passing to Logan Loya that Garbers bravely stepped into, releasing just as he was taking a heavy hit.
It was the final score for UCLA on this sunny and sweltering afternoon. LSU imposed their will in the second half, outscoring UCLA 17-0 as the Bruins were blanked.
Breakout LSU freshman running back Caden Durham scored on a 35-yard catch and run. Josh Williams’ 2-yard scoring run in the third quarter gave the Tigers the lead for good. Aaron Anderson finished with six catches for 75 yards.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier completed 32 of 44 passes, highlighted by his 45-yard scoring strike to Kyle Parker deep down the right sideline, and did not turn the ball over.
The road isn’t getting any easier for the Bruins, who face another new BIG 10 foe in the NO. 8 Oregon Ducks next week. On Saturday, September 28th it will be a nightcap since kickoff is 8:00pm. The BIG 10 debut between the Bruins and the Ducks will air on Fox.
