Memphis, TN- The UCLA Bruins brought their Top 25 ranking into the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and could not keep pace with the Memphis Tigers losing 48-45.
They had one of the hottest offense with Josh Rosen scoring on his last 12 series that all came to halt on the opening drive.
The Tigers came out just as hungry of offensive scoring in just three plays behind 80 yard run by running back Darrell Henderson. The tone was set that this was going to be a race to the finish.
Early on UCLA’s big back Jalen Starks rumbled for a touchdown and huge 50 yard catch on Bruins 17 unanswered points.
Once the Tigers did respond in first half with a screen game that was on fire behind quarterback Riley Ferguson selling them to score two touchdown on UCLA in first half.
Ferguson threw for six touchdowns with one interception for 398 yards compared to Rosen four touchdowns with two costly interceptions for 463 yards.
The UCLA defense having very different look with two new starting safeties in replace of injured Jaleel Wadoo, Adrius Pickett with total of 5 new starters.
Pickett was inserted in second series and the Bruins forced a punt with the change in the line up.
The teams exchanged turnovers in first quarter that didn’t return any points on the board. It was Rosen last turnover that closed the door on the Bruins magic.
In the second half the teams matched each other point for point that allowed Texas the three point edge from second quarter.
The Bruins again were led by Darren Andrews with 10 catches on 175 yards and one touchdown. The rushing game did improve with 170 total yards and 4.9 average on undersized Memphis front.
The Bruins will travel next Saturday to Stanford to play the very physical Cardinal team.
